The US Edition 2019 is the second release in Chichibu's series of bottlings made for the American market. It is a small vatting of seven casks from Ichiro Akuto's distillery in Saitama, bottled at cask strength in the 750mL size used in the United States.
About This Whisky
The recipe is unusual because it is built around barley variety. Of the seven casks, two held spirit from floor-malted Tipple barley, two held peated Concerto and three held Braemar. The outturn was 1,556 bottles at 55.5% ABV. There is no age statement, although stocks at this point were no older than about ten years. The first US Edition appeared in 2018.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried plum, sandalwood and cedar, with salted lemon peel and a light wisp of peat.
- Palate: Rich for its age and quite oily, with citrus oil, toasted malt, soft smoke and a savoury, soy-like depth.
- Finish: Long, with sweet spice, dried tangerine and drying wood.
Serving & Food
Taste it neat first in a tulip glass at room temperature. At 55.5% a small splash of still water brings out more fruit and softens the wood. Try it with grilled eel, yakitori with tare glaze or a slice of aged Comté.
How to Enjoy
A good bottle for anyone following Chichibu's barley experiments, or for a side-by-side with other editions of the series.
Product Details
Distillery: Chichibu
Producer: Venture Whisky (Ichiro's Malt)
Edition: The US Edition 2019
Category: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Country: Japan
Region: Saitama Prefecture
Composition: 7 casks: 2 floor-malted Tipple, 2 peated Concerto, 3 Braemar
Bottles: 1,556
Age: No age statement
Format: 750mL
ABV: 55.5%
About the Distillery
Ichiro Akuto studied at Tokyo University of Agriculture and began his career in Suntory's sales division before moving into his family's own drinks business. That grounding in both the science and the selling of whisky shows in how Chichibu works: small production, close attention to raw materials, and releases planned with particular shops, bars and countries in mind.
The wider whisky world has taken note. In March 2024 Whisky Magazine added Akuto to its Hall of Fame, the fifth Japanese figure to be inducted, citing Chichibu as the first new whisky distillery licensed in Japan in 35 years and his role in the industry since.