The Whisky Exchange keeps pulling 20th Anniversary bottlings from its sleeve. The latest is a Japanese Chichibu 2011 matured in an ex-Coedonado beer cask. They already had a 2011 Imperial Stout last year.
Now I couldn’t tell you what Coedonado beer tastes like, but apparently it is a dark Strong Ale, the result of a collaboration between Coedo brewery in Japan and Coronado on the American West Coast.
Of course Chichibu is in high demand these days so The Whisky Exchange is running a ballot to let people buy this in an orderly way. You can buy 124 bottles online and the remaining 100 go to the TWE stores and partners. The ballot goes online tomorrow – you’ll be invited through the TWE newsletter.
Chichibu 2011 (59,2%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 20th Anniversary 2019, ex-Coedonado beer cask #3301, 224 btl.)
Chichibu 2011 (59,2%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 20th Anniversary 2019, ex-Coedonado beer cask #3301, 224 btl.)Nose: creamy and fruity, with kiwi, Charentais melon, Mirabelles and peaches. A few bananas and grapes. Also quite some (natural) vanilla and brioche. Wee hints of honey. Very subtle floral notes / patchouli. I wouldn’t call this beer-like, so that’s good.
Mouth: again really fruity. Bananas, apricots, pears. After that it shows a rather unique touch of Earl Grey and floral notes (jasmin). Slightly funny hints of juniper and eucalyptus. Liquorice. Subtle tannins, mint and ginger.
Finish: not that long, on creamy fruit and some bourbon wood.
Quite idiosyncratic. Lovely creamy and fruity notes, as well as some fragrant, extractive elements. I must say I didn’t expect such a nice result from a beer cask. A bottle is £ 225, only from The Whisky Exchange.
Score: 88/100