Hanyu The Wave is a Japanese single malt distilled in 1990 and released for Full Proof at 53% volume at 19 years old. This is Batch II of The Wave series, labelled with Hans Dillesse's reinterpretation of Hokusai's famous wave. BOTTLING: Hogshead maturation with a finish in an olorosso sherry butt, Cask 9305 was bottled in 2009. a release of 200 individually numbered bottles. SUGGESTIONS: Serve neat in a tulip glass, with water alongside. Add a little water at a time to reduce the strength and bring out the flavours of marzipan and panna-cotta, add more drops and chestnut and old wood complexities open. Let the whisky evolve in the glass for 30-45 mins.
Tasting notes
Mahoghany.
Raisins, prunes and milk chocolate, with coal smoke and a faint savoury note.
Rich and creamy, with jammy fruit, spice, ripe banana, honey and liquorice wood.
Long and sweet, with muscovado sugar, candied orange, sweet chilli and a touch of plum spirit.
Hanyu is in Saitama Prefecture, where Toa Shuzo installed its own pot still in 1980 and began experimenting with malt whisky. The original distillery ceased operations in 2000; distillation resumed in February 2021.
Whiskyfun, Serge Valentin: 91 points.
