Ichiro’s Malt Hanyu "Card" Series – Three of Clubs

This bottle is part of a 54-bottle collection (the "Full Card Series") created by Ichiro Akuto, the grandson of the founder of the Hanyu Distillery. After the distillery was forced to close in 2000, Ichiro saved the remaining 400 casks, eventually bottling them with these iconic playing card labels. The Three of Clubs is a "Double New Wood" expression, meaning it underwent a complex maturation process involving fresh American oak, which imparts a distinctively bold and spicy character compared to traditional Scotch-style maturation.

Technical Profile

• Vintage: Distilled in 2000 (the final year of Hanyu's operation) | Bottled in 2009

• Region/Appellation: Hanyu Distillery, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

• Producer: Ichiro’s Malt (Venture Whisky)

• Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky

• Style: High-proof (61.1% ABV), powerful, and oak-forward. Expect notes of sandalwood, ripe stone fruits, honey, and a long, spicy finish of black pepper and cedar.

• Perfect for (food pairing): High-proof whiskies like this are best enjoyed neat with a few drops of water. However, it pairs remarkably well with dark, high-percentage chocolate, aged Wagyu beef, or even a rich, buttery blue cheese like Roquefort.