Mistubishi Pure Malt 2.0mm leadholder (and Nikka Single Malt 10yo “Yoichi” Whisky)
If you think luxury writing instruments and leadholders are mutually exclusive categories, look again.
The Mitsubishi Pencil Company offers the Pure Malt leadholder, with the body made from oak reclaimed from Malt Whisky casks! (The clutch, tip, clip, and cap are metal.)
It has a very sleek, clean appearance. The woodgrain is dark, smooth and elegant. Plus, it was made from a whisky cask!
It has the great feature of a retracting clutch, making it quite portable and pocket-safe. (See photos.)
I found the hold and feel quite comfortable, and like the manner in which it carries off being both a leadholder, and a fine looking writing implement.
The small instruction booklet indicates there is a matching lead pointer, in a cask shape! I would love to get that item, but have not seen it for sale.
The unusual materials motivated me to seek out some actual Japanese whisky. Living in a place with a government liquor monopoly, my choice was the usual - no choice. Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.’s 10 year old single malt is the sole current offering. So Nikka it is.
(I have no knowledge of which distillery, Nikka or otherwise, provided Mitsubishi’s wood.)
The bottle is a pleasing shape, and the stopper seems to have a deep coating around the cork - something I’ve never before seen.
Anyhow, on to the whisky. It is a dark straw or tea colour. The nose is pleasant to me, but at a time of year when a “warm” day is -8 degrees, I won’t claim that I can discern much. The taste is full of nuts, toffee, and fruity notes. It’s a very nice dram - as smooth as a Tombow 6B pencil. The character is very much that of a nice scotch whisky, though made many miles away.
The bottle will certainly not survive as long as the leadholder.
Two great products, not necessarily for enjoyment at time same time!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
You’re killing me, here! First you post about fancy-schmancy Japanese pencils, those Craft pencil beauties, then you get your licks in about Mitsu leadholders and Japanese single malt whiskey. Talk about your unobtainium! I’m frosted washed mint green with envy. Keep the hits coming–you’re making my year :>))).
February 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Are we allowed have a better view of what’s behind the whisky bottle?
Wonderful post BTW.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Barrel and fisk, thanks for the kind comments. Just a few pencils in the back of the photo.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:53 am
I’d seen this leadholder advertised quite sometime ago and always wondered if it smelled of whisky. So does it????
You got me thinking, about that other drink that gets reviewed with interesting language and comparisons. So a quick net search, and hey presto, an almost unlimited variety of wines that remind of “pencil shavings”, “pencil lead”, “old wooden pencil cases”, etc. Well, pencil shavings and wooden boxes I can understand, but pencil lead seems pushing it a bit far.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:40 am
Any aromas that may once have existed are long gone.
Interesting about the “pencil shavings” and wine!
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Thats a shame, because then I was thinking about people who chew the end of their pencil - could have been an interesting experience for them :-)
Might just chase down one of these pencil wines, have a sip, chew a pencil, have a sip - nothing like a bit of taste-testing???!!! :-)
March 11th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Where can I buy it and how much is it?
March 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I’m looking it up online now, and can’t find any in stock at the usual places. It’s about $30.00.
Here is the official product page. (There are other writing implements in the line for those who aren’t fond of leadholders.)
March 11th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
But maybe you meant the whisky?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
haha…Well The whisky would be nice too. But I’m not too picky about my drink.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Hi Duc,
Bundoki relisted the Pure Malt leadholder this weekend:
http://www.bundoki.com/?pid=1182112
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Neat. Wonder if they will start making them out of old caskets?
March 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
“Caskets”, as opposed to casks? That doesn’t sound too appealing to me.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
That pencil looks like a Vanishing Point fountain pen. I wonder if it is made by Pilot/Namiki and stamped Mitsubishi. Just thinking aloud..
July 29th, 2008 at 6:00 am
I bought one of these from bundoki.com. They told me that their distributor is no longer able to get the barrel sharpener :( The shipping from Japan to Washington state only cost $11 and was here in < 1week! I really like the feel/weight of the pencil.
Bundoki was great to work with. When my shipment arrived, there was even a Tombo Mono plastic eraser in the box. I love plastic erasers!
Thanks for reviewing this pencil!