Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt Two of Diamonds

Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt Two of Diamonds, 17 YO, 58,1 %

I continue with my review of whisky in Ichiro Akuto's Card Series. Today I am diving into (Oh, I wish!) Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt Two of Diamonds. This whisky was distilled in 1991, and ended up in 259 bottles in 2008.

It was initially matured in a hogshead (cask #9412), and then finished for 24 months in an American Oak bourbon barrel.

Anything you ever wanted to know about the Card Series, and a lot more, can be found on Ulf Buxrud's website.

My wife reviewed this particular whisky back in October 2013, and she liked it even more than I did.

Nose (22/25): Warm and appealing. Oak and malt notes, camphor, soft leather, vanilla, sugar, pineapple and oranges.

Taste (21/25): Caramel, vanilla, sugar, ginger and something fruity. It has somewhat sharp edges to it; not sure if that is the alcohol biting or if it is something else.

Finish (21/25): Warm, lingering and mildly sweet. Quite noticeable oak. Slight acidic note towards the end, just as I found on the Three of Spades yesterday.

Balance (21/25): Another solid whisky in the Card Series, but it does not quite reach up to the level of the best ones that I have tried. For a list of other whiskies from Ichiro's Malt that I have tried, see here.

Score (85/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas