Ichiros Malt Chichibu 2019 The Us Edition Single Malt Japanese Whisky 750ml

Ichiro Akuto founded Chichibu Distillery in 2008. The Akuto family have been producing alcohol in Saitama for over 300 years. Ichiro’s grandfather started making whisky in the 1940‚ soon after World War II, at the Hanyu Distillery. The slowdown of Japan’s economy in the 1990’s ultimately lead to the closing of Hanyu Distillery in 2000. Determined to keep his family’s alcohol legacy alive, Ichiro opened Chichibu Distillery in 2008. At Chichibu, Ichiro embraces the heritage and heart of Scotish whisky making, balanced by the precision and skill of the Japanese Shokunin tradition.

Released at The Whisky Show 2019, The London Edition of Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu is a wonderful Japanese single malt whisky offering up intriguing notes of fresh fruit, vanilla-rich oak and whispers of kitchen spices. It also boasts a very snazzy label, which we’re rather fond of.

This particular Ichiro’s Single Malt is a limited edition “US Edition” release (there is also a “Paris edition”) . As with everything else from the Chichibu distillery, it comes highly recommended.

You’ve heard about Ichiro Akuto, right? If you haven’t, it’s about time you did! He is a rock star of the Japanese whisky world, and his family have been in the alcoholic beverage industry since the 1600s. Ichiro’s father ran the Hanyu distillery and experimented with whisky making until his unfortunate bankruptcy. Ichiro then founded his own Chichibu distillery, acquired the remains of the Hanyu stock and sold it as his own. This Ichiro’s Malt – 2019 S is a new release from Chichibu. Like everything else from Ichiro, a true delight!

Testing Notes:

Caramel topped flower blossom aromas come first, followed by fresh melon and oak. The palate gives way to canned peaches and pears, as wood spices and pepper notes join in. A hint of mint is detected for a moment, before the spices sweeten and escalate, leading to a long, warm finish. On the way, but with this, you’ve arrived!