Ichiro’s Malt, a whisky that has won the world’s top prize at the World Whisky Awards, is popular in Japan and internationally.
The Chichibu distillery is dedicated to producing peated sake, and this series is called “Chichibu The Peated” . Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2018 is the first in the series. It has been about 4 years will be available for sale.
1. Manufacturer
Venture whisky Co.
| Established | 2004 |
| Head office location | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Distilleries owned | Chichibu Distillery, Chichibu No.2 Distillery |
2. Distillery
Venture whisky Chichibu Distillery
| Location | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Commencement of operations | 2007 |
Single malt whisky production is rooted in the Chichibu climate.
The founder, Mr. Ichiro Akuto, takes pride in being a Japanese whisky and produces malt whisky by hand with a small mill, mash tuns, Quercus crispula fermenters, and pot stills made by Forsyth of Scotland.
The Chichibu distillery is surrounded by rich nature, clean air, good quality water, hot and humid summers, and cold temperatures that drop below freezing in the mornings and evenings. The difference in temperature between the cold and hot in this harsh climate has a great influence on the maturation of the whisky, resulting in a fruity and well-balanced whisky despite the short maturation period.
Established in September 2004.
The Chichibu distillery was completed in 2007.
In February 2008, a license to make whisky was issued and whisky production began at the Chichibu distillery.
In October 2019, the second distillery will begin operations.
The distillery was established after Suntory Hakushu Distillery and Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery, which were established in 1973. The distillery was established at the very end of the whisky slump. First distillery established in Japan in 35 years The company’s first year in business was in 1983, and the first year in 1985.
Annual whisky production is just two days of Scotland’s Glenlivet distillery.
The second distillery, which has been in operation since the fall of 2019, produces a whopping 5x The The pot still is the same straight shape but much larger so that it can distill five times as much malt at a time. The pot still is made by Forsyth & Co. Gas direct-fired distillation machine is used.
See also ↓ for information on Chichibu Distillery.
3. Product name and photo
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2022
4. Features
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2022 is a peated single malt whisky produced at the Chichibu distillery. The malt is dried using peat during the malting process, which gives it a strong smoky character. Sweet, light custard cream, fruity as it glides across the surface. The aroma spreads on the palate.It is reminiscent of soft black tea, and the overall impression continues to change with time.Bottled non-chill filtered and naturally colored to allow you to enjoy the character of the original.The complex aftertaste, which gently echoes the robust character of the original, can be enjoyed over time.(Source: Venture Whisky Co.
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Strong peat aroma, vanilla, custard cream |
| Taste | Strong smoky, custard cream, plum-like fruit, salty |
| Lingering | Bitter chocolate-like sweetness, bitterness, smoky flavor |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 53% |
| Distinction by alcohol | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | – |
| Content Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 11,000 bottles |
| Suggested Retail Price | 14,850 yen (tax included) |
| Release Date | February2022 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2022 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 14,850 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari range from 38,000 yen to around 56,000. (*As of March 2 , 2022)
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
Sold prices on Yahoo! Auctions is the Lowest 33,000 yen, highest 51,000 yen, average 41,037 yen (*Statistics for the past 180 days from March 2 , 2022)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is priced at 42,000 yen on the mail order website. (*As of March 2, 2022)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, we offer it in small quantities such as 1 glass, 45ml: 4,620 yen 30ml: 3,080 yen, 15ml: 1,540 yen.
7. Summary
It is a smoky, fruity, creamy whisky on par with Laphroaig and Ardbeg.
The image of vanilla, cream, and plum-like fruitiness follows the smoky flavors.
Compared to past Chichibu The Peated, it has a stronger overall sweetness such as rich vanilla and banana.
Recommended drinking: straight, toasted up, or on the rocks. Please enjoy it with the image of extending the strong flavor just a little.
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2018 and Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2016 are also available at BAR Shinkai. Please try and compare them.
Please take a look at our other articles on Ichiro’s Malt.
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.
