Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Chichibu & Komagatake (2021) 70cl
Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 is a collaboration between Chichibu and the Mars Shinshu distilllery, who recommenced distilling operations in 2011 and contributed some of their Komagatake single malt to this release. This iteration of Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 is subtitled 'Chichibu x Komagatake'.
The casks for this limited edition were aged at Chichibu and bottled in 2021 at a poky 53.5% without colouring or chill filtration. A delightful dram from two of Japan's newest and most exciting distilleries.
What sets this release apart is not only its exceptional flavor profile but also the story it tells. Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 Chichibu x Komagatake represents the spirit of collaboration and the willingness to push boundaries in the pursuit of excellence. It is a testament to the creativity and innovation that drives the Japanese whisky industry forward.
Limited in production, this expression is highly sought after by whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike. Each bottle represents a rare opportunity to experience the combined talents of Chichibu and Komagatake distilleries, a testament to the passion and dedication that goes into every drop.
Tasting Notes
Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, American white oak and ex-sherry casks, it holds aromas of caramel, old books, mango, pineapple and orange that fill the nose, complemented by notes of banana, pineapple, mango, sea salt and vanilla throughout the palate.
About Chichibu
Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.
Chichibu is one of Japan’s smallest whisky distilleries, famous for their craft-scale production. With a small, young team, innovative methods and a following from around the world, Chichibu is seen by many as the future of Japanese whisky.
Chichibu was founded by the living legend Ichiro Akuto, a name made familiar to many by his award-winning Ichiro’s Malt Cards. While Chichibu is quite a young distillery, founded in 2004 and beginning production in 2008, Ichiro’s history with the spirit goes back much further. His family have been involved in Sake production since the 17th century, and his grandfather started whisky production at the Hanyu distillery in the 20th century. During the whisky loch and financial downturns of the 1980s and ‘90s, Hanyu was eventually forced to close, becoming one of Japan’s famous lost distilleries. Their casks, however, were still resting, and Akuto took ownership of these in 2004. These became the base for Ichiro’s Malt Cards, a highly collectable series of 58 bottles representing cards in a deck.
53.5% ABV
70cl
