Peated Chichibu distilled in 2012 and matured in a second-refill hogshead that had previously held Hanyu and then Chichibu whisky. It was chosen by Speciality Drinks for the London department store Selfridges and bottled in 2019, with 200 bottles at 62%.
About This Whisky
The spirit is Chichibu, not Hanyu. It was distilled in 2012 from peated Concerto barley and filled into cask #2074, a hogshead with an unusual history: it had first matured Hanyu whisky, the Akuto family's old distillery, and then a batch of Chichibu before receiving this spirit. Because the wood had been used twice before, it adds depth and texture without heavy oak. Speciality Drinks, the company behind The Whisky Exchange, picked the cask for Selfridges, and it was bottled in 2019 at natural strength.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Soft peat smoke, honey and caramel, with vanilla, dried apricot and oak spice.
- Palate: Powerful and textured, with sweet malt, stone fruit and smoky depth, then pepper and cask-strength grip.
- Finish: Long, with ash, spice and lingering malt sweetness.
Serving & Food
Best at room temperature in a Glencairn. The smoke is soft enough to enjoy neat in small sips, though water rounds out the stone fruit. Try barbecued pork ribs, smoked scamorza, or salted caramel chocolates after dinner.
How to Enjoy
Anyone curious about the Hanyu connection, and fans of gently peated Japanese malt at natural strength.
Product Details
Producer: Chichibu / Ichiro's Malt
Country: Japan
Region: Saitama
Vintage: 2012
Bottled: 2019
Barley: Peated Concerto
Cask: #2074, second refill hogshead (ex-Hanyu, then ex-Chichibu)
Bottled for: Selfridges (selected by Speciality Drinks)
Bottles: 200
ABV: 62%
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Before Chichibu there was Hanyu, the distillery founded by Ichiro Akuto's grandfather. When it closed in 2000, Ichiro bought back what stock he could, formed Venture Whisky in 2004 and began bottling Hanyu under the Ichiro's Malt label. Chichibu followed in 2008 in the hills of Saitama, and some of the emptied Hanyu casks went back into use there. That link between the two distilleries is part of what gives this cask its interest. Much of Chichibu's output is bottled as single casks for specialist retailers worldwide.