Ichiro’s Malt is popular not only in Japan but also in the world, having won the world’s number one prize at the WWA (World Whisky Awards).
Ichiro’s Malt, which is as popular among whisky fans as the two major brands of Suntory and Nikka, is so popular that it sells out the moment it appears in stores, making it a difficult whisky to obtain. The Leaf Series (Mizunara Wood Reserve, Wynwood Reserve, and Double Distilleries), which are the standard products, are immensely popular and captivate whisky fans, but this Limited Edition is even rarer and more popular.
This Limited Edition is a higher grade version of the White Label (World Blended Whisky), which is probably the most drunk of all the whiskies released by Ichiro’s Malt.
World Blended Whisky is made by blending malt and grain whiskies imported from overseas in addition to the malt and grain whiskies produced by Ichiro’s Malt.
1. Manufacturer
Venture whisky Co.
| Established | 2004 |
| Head office location | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 Japan |
| Distilleries owned | Chichibu Distillery, Chichibu No.2 Distillery |
2. Distillery
Venture whisky Chichibu Distillery
| Location | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, 368-0067 Japan |
| Start of operations | 2007 |
Single malt whisky production rooted in the climate of Chichibu is carried out.
Mr. Ichiro Akuto, the founder of the distillery, takes pride in producing Japanese whisky, and is committed to handcrafting malt whisky using small mills, mash tuns, Quercus fermenters, and pot stills made by Forsyth in Scotland.
The area around the Chichibu distillery is rich in nature, with clean air, good quality water, high temperatures and humidity in the summer, and cold temperatures that reach below freezing in the morning and evening. The difference in temperature between the two regions has a profound effect on the maturation of the whisky, resulting in a fruity and well-balanced whisky despite the short maturation period.
Founded in September 2004.
Chichibu distillery was completed in 2007.
In February 2008, a license to make whisky was issued and we began making whisky at the Chichibu distillery.
In October 2019, the second distillery will begin operations.
This distillery was established after Suntory Hakushu Distillery and Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery, which were established in 1973. The distillery was established in 1973 after Suntory Hakushu Distillery and Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery. The first distillery established in Japan in 35 years. This was the end of the whisky slump.
The annual whisky production is only two days’ worth of the Glenlivet distillery in Scotland.
The second distillery, which has been in operation since the fall of 2019, has a production volume that is a whopping two times that of the first distillery. 5 times The second distillery, which will be operational in the fall of 2019, will produce a whopping 1.5 times more malt than the first. The pot still is the same shape as the first distillery, but it is much larger so that it can distill five times as much malt. It is made by Forsythe. Gas direct-fired distillation machine It is made by Forsythe.
For more information on Chichibu Distillery, please see also.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/japanesedistillery-2-3542/#3-2_Venture_Whisky_Chichibu_Distillery”]
3. Product names and photos
Ichiro’s Malt&Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition
4. Features
Malt from nine distilleries and grain from two distilleries selected from around the world.
Malt and grain raw materials selected from around the world are used. This whisky is a collaboration with the world, blending those raw materials with Ichiro’s malt raw material that has been matured since its establishment in 2008.
The Chichibu distillery, which began production in 2008, ages its whisky in traditional dunnage-style cellars. The key malt is an original whisky that shows its power in blending, and it is blended with a well-balanced blend of unique malts and grains that are matured in Chichibu.
The mellow sourness of the ripe plums and the sweetness that surrounds it is like light cotton candy, and the pleasant barrel aroma of the matured grain wine lingers in the mouth forever. This product is bottled with non-chill filter*1 and natural color to enjoy the character of the original. We hope you will enjoy the complex flavors that were created through the dialogue with the original sake. (Reference: from the label on the back of the bottle)
*1 Non-chill filter: When the temperature of whisky aged in barrels becomes low, the dissolved flavor components precipitate out*2 and become cloudy. In order to prevent this from happening, whisky is usually filtered after being cooled down to about 0 to 5 degrees Celsius. The ingredients that precipitate when cooled are either malt-derived or barrel-derived, both of which are considered to be flavor components of whisky. The fact that the whisky is not cooled and filtered means that it is bottled with the flavor components of the malt and barrels intact, resulting in a whisky with a more complex and richer taste.
*2 Precipitation: The separation of crystals or individual components from a liquid substance.
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4-1. Tasting Notes
Aroma Gorgeous and fruity. The aroma is sweet, reminiscent of pudding or Creme Brulee, with a hint of woody oak. Taste The palate has a honey-like consistency and a cookie-like aroma. Slightly sour, dried fruit flavor and grain sweetness. Aftertaste Woody and pleasant astringency from the barrel lingers. 4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| alcohol category | Blended Whisky |
| Barrel type | ー |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | ー |
| Suggested retail price | 9,900 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | ー |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 9,000 yen (tax included: 9,900 yen) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is Around 14,000 yen to 17,000 yen The resale price on Mercari is as follows. (*As of February 14 , 2021)
6-3. Yahoo auction bidding price
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest bidder: 11,500 yen, highest bidder: 18,500 yen, average bidder: 14,365 yen (*Statistics for the past 120 days as of February 14 , 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is also sold on mail order sites at Around 17,000 yen to 23,000 yen It is also sold at .(*As of February 14 , 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR SHINKAI” , which is operated by this site, we offer 1 cup, 45ml: 2,970 yen 30ml: 1,980 yen, 15ml: 990 yen It is also offered in small quantities such as.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/about-2/barshinkai-4/
7. Summary
It is characterized by a slightly sour and sweet taste, with no peculiarities and not much alcohol. This whisky is characterized by citrus fruity, plum acidity and mellowness. It leaves a pleasant cask aroma in your mouth.
The Chichibu Distillery is currently aiming to make whisky that is unique to Chichibu, including products made from barley grown locally in Chichibu, and considering the production of barrels using materials from Chichibu.
Mr. Ichiro Akuto’s dream is to bring out whisky that has been matured for 30 or 50 years. His dreamy words only make our expectations for the future swell.
■ Please check out the other articles about “Ichirose Malt” .
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/02/24/ichiros-malt-grain-505-2/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/01/20/ichirosmaltwhitelabel-2/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
