Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask. Venture Whisky, new from Chichibu Distillery. Characteristics, price and how to purchase.
1. What is Venture Whisky Co.
The company that produces Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023 is “Venture Whisky Co.”
| Company name | Venture Whisky Co. |
| Establishment | 2004 |
| Head office | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Owned distilleries | Chichibu Distillery, Chichibu No.2 Distillery |
2. What is Chichibu Distillery?
The distillery where Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023 is produced is Chichibu Distillery located in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
| Distillery name | Chichibu Distillery |
| Location of distillery | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Start of operation | 2007 |
Chichibu Distillery produces single malt whisky rooted in the Chichibu region.
The founder, Mr. Ichiro Hido, takes pride in the fact that the malt whisky is Japanese whisky, and produces it by hand with a small mill, mash tun, oak fermentation tanks, and pot stills made by Forsyths of Scotland.
The Chichibu Distillery is surrounded by rich nature, clean air, and high quality water. The summer is hot and humid, and the morning and evening temperatures are below freezing. 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.
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 begins operations.
This distillery was established after Suntory Hakushu distillery and Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery, which were established in 1973. It was the first distillery to be established in Japan in 35 years, at a time when the whisky industry was in the doldrums.
The annual production of whisky is only two days that of the Glenlivet distillery in Scotland.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The second distillery, which has been in operation since the fall of 2019, produces a whopping five times as much as the first distillery. The pot still is the same shape as the first distillery, but it is a much larger pot still so that it can distill five times as much malt at a time. The distiller is Forsyth and uses a direct gas-fired distiller.
 |
 |
 |
For more information about Chichibu Distillery, see also here↓.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/japanesedistillery-2-3542/#3-2″]
3. Pictures of the bottles and the website where you can buy them
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu RED WINE CASK 2023
 |
 |
 |
 |
4. Characteristics of Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Elegant and moderately sweet aroma of cinnamon and berries. |
| Taste | Blackberry, high cocoa, barley chocolate |
| Aftertaste | Refreshingly oaky and pleasantly spicy, with a lingering finish that ties the whole experience together. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
| Distinction by alcohol | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Wine casks |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 11,800 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | September 1, 2023 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. List price and online price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 35,000yen to 39,800 yen. (*As of September 12, 2023)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
Sold price at Yahoo! Auctions is Lowest 35,500 yen, highest 50,000 yen, average 38,525 yen (*Statistics for the past 180 days from September 12, 2023)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Mail order sites also sell at around 55,000 to 85,000 yen. (*As of September 12, 2023)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, we offer it in small quantities such as 1 glass of 45 ml: 4,950 yen, 30 ml: 3,300 yen, 15 ml: 1,650 yen, and so on.
7. Summary
This whisky is very fruity and also has a firm spicy character.
The aroma is wonderful, and the alcohol attack is firm but smooth.
The spiciness of cinnamon along with the fruity aroma leaves the nostrils as one, and the tannininess and spiciness characteristic of red wine casks come together and envelop you in a long aftertaste.
Please check out 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.
