Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain Limited Edition Batch #D1

Nose

Mature and layered with plums, figs and dates, followed by honey, vanilla and gentle floral aromas. Beeswax, dried herbs and lightly toasted oak add further depth.

Palate

Full and creamy with dried fruit, caramel, vanilla and ripe pear. Ginger, nutmeg and lightly spiced oak balance the fruity sweetness, accompanied by subtle notes of coconut and malt.

Finish

Long and warming with dried fruit, vanilla, spiced oak and a fresh touch of pine. Honey, nutmeg and a delicate floral note linger with refinement.

Chichibu Distillery was established by Ichiro Akuto in Japan’s Saitama Prefecture in 2007 and began distilling in 2008. Akuto comes from a family with a long tradition in sake and whisky. After the family-owned Hanyu Distillery closed, he founded Venture Whisky in 2004 to preserve its remaining casks and release them under the Ichiro’s Malt name. Chichibu allowed him to continue that history in a new form.

The first single malt produced at Chichibu appeared in 2011. The small distillery subsequently developed into one of the most influential names in modern Japanese whisky. A second production site began distilling in 2019, creating additional stocks for future maturation.

Chichibu combines Scottish-inspired copper pot stills with distinctly Japanese elements. Its washbacks are made from mizunara oak, while local barley, floor malting and casks from the company’s own cooperage are used on a small scale. Bourbon, sherry, wine and Japanese oak casks create a wide variety of styles, ranging from fruity and spicy to rich or smoky. Small-scale production and constant experimentation have made Chichibu especially desirable among whisky enthusiasts and collectors.