Ichiro’s Malt Four of Hearts 1st Cask Hogshead 2nd Cask French Oak Cognac 2000-2011 11YO 59.2%abv

Nose: Red grapes, cherry cream, floral, macadamias, orange slices, some leather and sweet tobacco. Quite mild for cask strength.
Palate: Belies the gentleness of the nose with plenty of warming oak spices. Orange slices, sweet tobacco, leather, some oak tannins, licorice, cinnamon, barley, mustard, peanut butter, raisins. Water ramps up the warm oak spices.
Finish: Oranges, vanilla, some oak tannins, dried mango slices. Water lengthens the finish with lashings of juicy and tangy citrus fruits, the peanut butter and menthol.
Last Word: Up there with the better whiskies in the Card Series. Would have cracked a 90 score if the nose was bolder.

Rating: 89/100