My First Encounter with Japanese Whisky - From Yamazaki to Chichibu and New Collaborations

Yamazaki 18YO – The Perfect Single Malt Balance

The next breakthrough came with Yamazaki 18YO. Aromas of dried fruit, chocolate, subtle oak, and vanilla blended in perfect harmony, with a long, velvety finish. This bottle showed that Japanese single malt can be impeccably balanced, combining Scottish tradition with local climate and water. Thanks to Yamazaki 18YO, my curiosity turned into a passion — I wanted to explore other distilleries and styles of Japanese whisky.

Chichibu – Young Power and Exploring New Styles

In recent years, a real discovery has been the Chichibu distillery, founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto. Despite its youth, it quickly gained international recognition for its precision, quality, and creativity. Chichibu is unafraid of experimentation — from classic styles to innovative cask finishes that reveal whisky’s potential in a modern expression.

Example of a classic:

• Chichibu The Peated 2015 – subtle peat, fruitiness, and elegance, showcasing peated character in a Japanese style.

International Collaborations – 7 Gods of Fortune and Kintsugi Edition

One of the most exciting projects is Chichibu x Salud Spirits – “7 Gods of Fortune”, with the first editions released in late 2025 and early 2026. This collaboration combines Japanese precision with European bottler expertise, exploring various cask styles — from sherry to rare European wines — and creating limited whiskies with unique character. Aromas of vanilla, dried fruit, gentle smoke, and spices merge into an elegant whole, demonstrating the potential of Japanese single malt in a global context.

Another exceptional project is the Chichibu Kintsugi Edition, created in collaboration with the Netherlands. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing ceramics with gold lacquer to celebrate beauty in imperfection — this whisky combines Japanese finesse with refined European cask influence, resulting in a spirit that is complex, elegant, and full of history in every sip.

Tasting Tip: Both the 7 Gods of Fortune and Kintsugi Edition are best explored slowly, in small sips, without ice, and with minimal water. This allows the full range of fruit, spice, and cask notes, along with subtle smoke, to emerge, adding depth and character.

Summary

My first encounter with Japanese whisky started with Yamazaki 12YO, which introduced me to the finesse and subtlety of the spirit. Yamazaki 18YO demonstrated the perfect single malt balance, while Chichibu and its collaborations — 7 Gods of Fortune and Kintsugi Edition — prove that Japanese whisky today is young, creative, and still evolving. Every sip is not just about taste, but also history, precision, and passion — a true journey through the world of Japanese whisky.