The Six of Clubs from Ichiro's Malt Card Series: a single cask of Hanyu distilled in 2000, the distillery's last year of production, and bottled in 2009 at 57.9%.
About This Whisky
Cask #9020 was filled in 2000 and matured first in a hogshead, then moved into a cream sherry butt for a second maturation. It was bottled at nine years old at full cask strength, giving 597 numbered bottles. Because it comes from the final vintage, it shows the lighter, more spice-driven side of Hanyu, with the cream sherry adding a soft fruity layer rather than dark, heavy sherry.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Vanilla and mild caramel, with soft sherried fruit, almond, cinnamon and exotic wood.
- Palate: Spice arrives first: ginger, white pepper and cinnamon, then tropical fruit and more sherry.
- Finish: Long and slightly tart, with tropical fruit, vanilla, icing sugar and dried fruit.
Serving & Food
Serve neat at about 18 to 20°C in a tulip glass, then try it with a teaspoon of water to calm the spice. Good with mango sticky rice, almond biscotti or a mild washed-rind cheese.
How to Enjoy
Card Series collectors, and anyone curious how Hanyu's very last spirit developed in sherry.
Product Details
Distillery: Hanyu Distillery
Series: Ichiro's Malt Card Series
Card: 6 of Clubs
Distilled: 2000
Bottled: 2009
Cask Number: 9020
Cask Details: 1st: hogshead; 2nd: cream sherry butt
Bottle Count: 597
ABV: 57.9%
Volume: 700mL
Country: Japan
About the Distillery
Venture Whisky exists because of Hanyu. The Akuto family company, Toa Shuzo, sold the distillery in 2004, and Ichiro Akuto set up Venture Whisky that year to buy back its remaining casks and bottle them as Ichiro's Malt.
The Card Series is how most drinkers came to know that stock. Complete sets of all 54 bottles set records at Bonhams in 2015, 2019 and 2020, and the proceeds of the early releases helped pay for the Chichibu distillery.