Ichiro's Malt "The Game" 9-year-old

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

Ichiro's Malt The Game 9YO 2000. 61.2 per cent alcohol
Nose: A massive bowl of stone fruits mixed with oak, bran and malt. There is a bitter sweet element (with the emphasis on the sweet). Caramel/vanilla popcorn and some of the floral notes I often find in Ichiro's Malts. After a while, those floral notes become more prominent.
Palate: Gristy, fruity, oaky, malty, and spicy. Chocolate and marmalade. Water brings the spicy/tangyness to the fore. Just fantastic!
Finish: Long, warming, oaky, spicy, floral and fruity.
General comment: This is another fine young Ichiro's malt. It is complex, powerful and balanced. A firm favourite of mine: very moreish but, as it is not easy to find, I tipple sparingly. Great value from an independent whisky producer that is rising from the ashes at the new Chichibu distillery.