Chichibu
In 2004, Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founders of the Hanyu Distillery, started a new chapter in Japanese whisky history by building the Chichibu Distillery. A world blend with its own Chichibu malt at its core, supplemented with whisky from Scotland, Ireland, America and Canada.
Located in Saitama Prefecture, about 70 km northwest of Tokyo, production began in February 2008. Equipment includes a small mill; a mash tun and wash backs made from Japanese Mizunara oak and copper stills manufactured by Forsyths of Rothes from Scotland. Different types of casks are used, including bourbon, sherry and hogsheads. The maturation takes place in the traditional dunnage warehouse.
These special and exclusive whiskies are non-chill filtered and uncoloured.
Ichiro's Malt & Grain
Ichiro's Malt & Grain
This bottling is made by combining various malt and grain whiskies - from Scotland, Ireland, Canada & America aged 3 to 20 years - in search of the optimal balance. Chichibu Ichiro Malt & Grain whisky is characterized as fruity, lively and harmonious. Soft notes of peach, apricot, chocolate, vanilla and candy make up the scent. The mouth initially reveals rich notes of toffee, after which this makes way for barley, gingerbread, tropical fruits, tobacco and pepper. The finish is medium long and combines vanilla with exotic fruit.
Smell: Apricot, popcorn toffee, a hint of vanilla cream, Meyer Citrus rind.
Taste: A light texture, very refined. Roasted chestnut, gingerbread, a hint of vanilla, hints of sweet tropical fruits and flowers, ending in a spicy peppery note.
Finish: Nutty, peppery flavor, expressed in a honey-like flavor of pepper and ginger
Signature drink: Take a highball, fill it with (preferably a long block) of ice. Pour 50ml Chichibu Malt & Grain and gently pour soda over it. Add a slice of lemon as garnish, salud!
Ichiro's Malt & Grain Limited Edition
Ichiro's Malt & Grain Limited Edition
Like the classic Malt & Grain, Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky is a limited edition that includes grains from various countries, including Scotland and Canada, making this blend a “World Blended Whisky”, as the founder of the Chichibu Distillery likes to say.
Chichibu Ichiro's Double Distilleries
Chichibu Ichiro's Double Distilleries
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries is a Japanese malt whisky from two distilleries. The Ichiro's Malt series is named after Ichiro Akuto, the grandson of the founder of the Hanyu Distillery. After this distillery was demolished in 2004, he bought up around 400 barrels. In 2008, he opened his own distillery, Chichibu, and this Double Malt Distilleries bottling is a blend of both whiskies: a sherried Hanyu and a young Chichibu aged in new Japanese oak casks. Bottled at 46%.
Smell: Sweet and round with notes of biscuits, mace, apple, lots of oak and vanilla and later some notes of sandalwood.
Taste: Very spicy in the beginning with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper followed by notes of young malts.
Finish: Dry and slightly bitter with notes of mint, ginger and licorice.
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve is a Japanese malt whisky from two distilleries. The Ichiro's Malt series is named after Ichiro Akuto, the grandson of the founder of the Hanyu Distillery. After this distillery was demolished in 2004, he bought up around 400 barrels. In 2008, he opened his own distillery, Chichibu, and this release is a continuation of both distilleries. A combination of old Hanyu casks and young Chichibu casks finished in French wine casks. Bottled at Chichibu at 46% without age, non-chill filtered and without the addition of colorants.
Smell: lots of red wine with herbs, nuts, marzipan, licorice, star anise and pepper
Taste: hot and spicy with a pleasant sweetness, notes of dried figs, red berries, grape skins and wine with milk chocolate and cocoa powder.
Finish: pepper, red wine, tannins, dark chocolate, berries and a hint of smoke