Chichibu Distillery: Japan’s Rising Whisky Star

The Fascination with Japanese Whisky

Located 100 km from Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, Chichibu Distillery was founded by Ichiro Akuto, whose family has a long history of spirit production in Japan. Since it began production in 2008, the distillery has built a reputation for producing “elegant and luxury” whiskies. Where does the fascination with this Japanese whisky that has recently been introduced to the European market come from? Maybe let's start with where does whisky come from in Japan? Of course, everything starts with an idea, and the idea of creating a whisky distillery in Japan came from none other than Masataka Takesuru, thanks to whom whisky actually appeared in the land of the rising sun.

Masataka Takesuru and the Roots in Scotland

It began in Yamazaki, which to this day, alongside Hanyu, are the foundations of Japanese whisky, and we'll give the start to 1923.

Fascinated by whisky production in Ireland, and more precisely in Glasgow, where he studied chemistry. During this stay, he became very interested in whisky production. Immediately after graduation, he had an internship in Longmorn and then worked in the Cambeltown region in Hazelburn. In the meantime, despite the opposition of both families, he married Jessie Roberta Cowan, with whom he co-created the distillery industry in Japan until the end. The first distillery he founded himself was Yoichi on Hokkaido Island in 1934. And that's how it all began.

The founder of the Chichibu distillery is Ichiro Akuto. Thanks to him, Chichibu started its work in 2008 and since then it has been operating dynamically and climbing up in the world of whisky.

Quality Over Quantity: A Kilchoman-Inspired Approach

Ichiro Akuto is the grandson of the famous founder of the now closed Hanyu distillery, which I will also have the pleasure of trying at the tasting. In general, the Ichiro family is somewhat of a legend in Japan because it is already the 21st generation that has been producing alcohol! The first records that were found date back to 1625 and the production of sake. The Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000, only to be completely destroyed 3 years later. Ichiro saved the last 400 Hanyu barrels at that time and has been selling them since 2006.

Saving History: The Poker Card Series

Nerd info: We can not forgot about the most famous series from owner of Chichibu. He was selling a stuff from Hanyu for make some investment and spare money for building own distillery. One of most famous series was a “poker card collection” 54 bottles total: 52 card same like in poker + 2 joker cards.

As I mentioned earlier, Chichibu draws heavily on kilchoman and, like them, uses floor malting: a process where wet barley is spread out on a smooth concrete floor where it germinates before being fermented. This gives the whisky a sweeter, nuttier flavour that better retains the peat smoke. Unlike the old bottle labels that you can see on other distilleries, Chichibu has made it a point of honor that no two labels are the same.

The editions are released quite often and to keep up with how many there are, you have to be a really big fan of this Japanese drink.

A Collectible Icon: Mickey Mouse and More

One of the most famous is, for example:

A character from the Walt Disney Universe, or rather Mickey Mouse himself.

Top-Rated Chichibu Bottlings

Here are the highest rated whiskies from the Chichibu distillery on the whiskybase website:

5. Chichibu Travel Exclusive 2018:

Score: 92,4 Number of bottle: 610 Abv: 60,6% Age: 7yo Bottled: 2018

4. Chichibu The Peninsula Tokyo 2018:

Score: 92,5 Number of bottles: 240 Age: Nas Abv: 58% Gebottled: 2018

3. Chichibu: Koï, le Carnaval des Animaux, Series by Orane Sigal

Score: 92,58 Numer of bottles: 197 Abv: 65,2% Age: 6yo Gebottled: 2020

Chichibu: for TWH Singapore

Score: 93 Number of bottles: 198 Abv: 60,2% Age: 6yo Gebottled: 2019

Chichibu: for The whisky exchange

Score: 93,25 Number of bottles: 106 Abv: 59,5% Age: 7yo Gebottled: 2022

I got an occasion to be a part of Chichibu event some time which was great experience for me.

1. First question why this distillery?

“I could say why I love Chichibu but that would not be the real reason haha, it was just an opportunity I think. One that turned out amazing though!”

2. How looks this collaboration, how hard is to choose the right cask?

“For each bottling we get four samples of which we choose 2 to bottle and we try to choose these by selecting a tasting panel of whisky experts to help guide our decision.”

3. Why so much love to Japanese whisky?

“Japanese whisky is all about craftmanship and perfectionism. Their whiskies are so well rounded because they strife for perfection in every aspect of making a great dram. From grain to glass. This dedication to whisky is something I truly admire.”

4. Which bottle is your favorite one?

“My personal favourite is the 7even Gods of Fortune Fukurokuju. I think the ex bourbon maturation fits the chichibu spirit profile perfectly, making this a flavour bomb of tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and guava!”