“Ichiro’s Malt” is now immensely popular around the world. April 1, 2022 It seems that the price of four standard products has been decided to be raised from Up to 33 The price of the four standard products will be raised by 3.5 In this article, we will explain the brands that will be raised, the prices before and after the price increase, and the causes of the price increase.
1. List of brands with price increases
As of March 2022, the following four products, the “Leaf Series” are the ones for which price increases have been announced.
All of these bottles are difficult to obtain, and even today it is particularly difficult to obtain them at regular prices.
Let us now compare the brands that will have their prices raised and the prices before and after the price increase.
1-1. Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (DD)
This blended malt whisky is made by batting the original whisky from the Hanyu distillery and the Chichibu distillery. A wonderful marriage of Hanyu distillery’s original whisky aged in sherry casks and Chichibu distillery’s original whisky aged in Quercus crispula casks.
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (DD) |
| Suggested retail price after price increase | 6,600 yen (including tax) -> 8,800 yen (Tax included) |
Price increase rate | 33％ |
| Alcohol content | 46% |
| By Sake | Blended Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Cask type | Sherry and Quercus casks |
| Content volume | 700ml |
1-2. Ichiro’s Malt Quercus Wood Reserve (MWR)
Vatting several types of malt malt with Hanyu Distillery’s malt malt malt as key malt. It is then post-aged with Mizunara Reserve Vat from Hokkaido.
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve (MWR) |
| Suggested retail price after price increase | 6,600 yen (including tax) -> 8,800 yen (Tax included) |
Price increase rate | 33％ |
| Alcohol content | 46% |
| By Liquor | Blended Malt Whisky |
| Cask type | Quercus serrata casks, etc. |
| Content volume | 700ml |
1-3. Ichiro’s Malt Wynwood Reserve (WWR)
Vatting of Hanyu distillery’s malt and several other malt wines, post-aged in two types of red wine casks. This bottle has a fruity and oaky aroma with the characteristics of wine barrels strongly exposed.
| Product name | Ichiro’s Malt Wynwood Reserve (WWR) |
| Suggested retail price after price increase | 6,600 yen (incl. tax) → 6,600 yen (incl. tax) 8,800 yen (Tax included) |
Price increase rate | 33％ |
| Alcohol content | 46% |
| By Liquor | Blended Malt Whisky |
| Cask type | Red wine casks |
| Content volume | 700ml |
1-4. Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Limited Edition
Malt and grain from nine selected distilleries and two distilleries are used. This world blended whisky is blended with Ichiro’s Malt, which has been aged at the Chichibu distillery since its establishment in 2008.
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Limited Edition |
| Suggested retail price after price increase | 9,900 yen (including tax) -> 11,000 yen (Tax included) |
Price increase rate | 11％ |
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| By Liquor | Blended Whisky |
| Cask type | – |
| Content Volume | 700ml |
2. Factors
A few days ago, I wrote an article on ” Suntory whisky Price Increase. The price of “Akkeshi 24-Season Series” has also been increased since ” Ritto” (the first day of winter).
The specific factors are
(1) Increased production costs due to aggressive use of domestic barley
(2) Rising cost of packaging materials
(iii) Rising logistics costs(4) Expenses to expand facilities to keep up with supply to meet rising demand
The following are some of the reasons for this.
What should be considered problematic is that whisky, which is difficult to obtain even now, will become even more difficult to obtain.
The above “Leaf Series” is one of the most popular Ichiro’s Malt series. It has become necessary to have luck and patience to come across a place that still sells it at a fixed price. If you purchase it on the Internet, you will most likely find it sold for more than the regular price. Even in-store sales may be priced above the list price.
The price increase is now imminent. It will be interesting to see how many will be available on the market and how the pre-prices will fluctuate on the Internet and auctions.
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.
