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.
Whiskyfun, Serge Valentin: 91 points.
