This stunning release from the excellent Chichibu distillery is a single cask whisky that was aged for 6 years in an ex-bourbon barrel and bottled at a cask strength of 60.6% in 2019. The simple but beautiful label features a cute rat, presumably in reference to the 2020 Zodiac year, while a plethora of information on the creation of the whisky is listed underneath. It tells you everything from the cask number, to the number and type of washback stills used (x8 Mizunara) and even the type of barley (concerto). It helps to bring you closer to the whisky making process, while showcasing the purity and provenance of this particular expression at the same time. It's a nice touch from Chichibu and we're happy to say that the whisky inside is of the highest quality, delivering a drinking experience to remember. With only 266 bottles produced, this is a rare, collectable and ultimately brilliant whisky from one of Japan's fastest rising distilleries.