Ichiro’s Malt Hanyu Joker Multi Vintage

The evening before Tunsberg whiskyfestival 2016 some of the Ladies attended a dinner and a whisky tasting organized by Tunsberg whiskylaug.

Frode Harring from The Tasting Room (and the organizer of Bergen International Beer & Whisky Festival) guided us through these whiskies:

1. Jura Tastival, 51 ABV
2. BenRiach Tasting Room, 53 ABV, Port wine hogshead, 19 YO, 1995-2014
3. Balblair 1997 Tasting Room #1150, 54,8 ABV
4. Ardbeg Supernova 2015, 54,3 ABV
5. Ichiro’s Malt Hanyu The Joker, 57,7 ABV

Joker Multi Vintage is made of whiskies from 14 casks distilled at Hanyu Distillery in the years 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 2000. The casks were mixed together in 2014 and then bottled into 3690 bottles at 57,7 ABV. You can read more about it at Whisky Saga.

This evening was the second time I had the pleasure of tasting Joker. The first time was at Gothenburg Beer & Whisky Festival 2014 where I met Ichiro Akuto and Yumi Yoshikawa. I guess it is needless to say I felt really lucky to get the chance to taste this whisky once again.

Fruity and nutty on the nose. Nut shells. Candy and a hint of washing powder. Rich on the palate. Woody and warm. Ammonia, salt, pepper, chili and lime zest. Nut shells and pepper on the finish. It is quite dry. A balanced whisky. But I must admit I remembered this whisky to be better. Maybe I was a bit starstruck back in 2014 😉

My score: nose 21 / taste 22 / finish 21 / balance 22 = 86

Thanks, Frode, for bringing this whisky to the tasting!

– Tone