Hanyu 1988 Ichiros Malt King of Diamonds Bottled 2006 2nd Edition 羽生扑克牌系列（第二版方块K）

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro’s Malt ‘Card’ #9003 / 2nd King of Diamonds

Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan’s most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder’s grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro’s Malt label. He later cemented his legacy with the opening of the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, but his finest achievement will surely always be considered to be the Hanyu ‘Card’ series. The bottles are a collection of 58 releases, each displaying one of 52 playing cards on the label, two jokers, and a second batch of follow up releases to the original 2005 Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Clubs bottlings. Each unique in its own right, every one of these have become a true collector’s piece and an important moment in the history Japanese whisky.

This is the second King of Diamonds release, bottled in 2006. It was distilled in 1988 and matured in a hogshead prior to being finished in an American oak Sherry butt.