Ichiro's Malt bottled for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2016: a six-year-old Chichibu single malt distilled in 2010, finished in Oloroso sherry and bottled at cask strength.
About This Whisky
The 2016 bottling belongs to the festival's "Moon and Vanishing Animals" label series, and this one shows a Japanese giant salamander. The spirit was first matured in a first-fill barrel, then moved to an Oloroso Spanish oak hogshead. It was bottled in 2016 at 59.4% with no reduction. The sherry hogshead pushes it towards dry, dark fruit, a clear change from the bourbon-led Chichibu single casks of the same era.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Strong vanilla and cocoa, with brown sugar and a smoky, barbecue-like edge.
- Palate: Dry and intense, with Spanish sherry, dried red fruit, wood and a trail of vanilla behind.
- Finish: Short to medium and very dry, with a coating of dark jam.
Serving & Food
Take it neat first in a small tulip glass, then add a splash of water to soften the sherry grip. It suits richer food: char siu, beef cheek braised in soy, or a square of 70% dark chocolate.
How to Enjoy
Whisky Talk Fukuoka completists and drinkers who like young, bold, sherry-finished malt.
Product Details
Producer: Ichiro's Malt / Chichibu
Event reference: Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2016
Category: Japanese single malt whisky
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2016
Age: 6 years old
Cask: 1st: first-fill barrel; 2nd: Oloroso Spanish oak hogshead
ABV: 59.4%
Origin: Japan
Region: Saitama
Format: 700mL
About the Distillery
The Akuto family have been in drinks for centuries, starting as sake brewers in the Chichibu area before moving into whisky with Hanyu. Ichiro Akuto brought that work back to his home town when he built the Chichibu distillery.
The distillery has kept pulling more of the process in-house. It floor-malts part of its barley from local farms, runs its own cooperage, and has begun making casks from Mizunara oak grown in the Chichibu hills rather than buying it at Hokkaido log auctions.