{"product_id":"chichibu-2017-single-cider-cask-finish-14330-hanshin-department-store-2025-exclusive-japanese-single-malt-whisky-2025-70cl","title":"Chichibu 2017 Single Cider Cask Finish #14330 Hanshin Department Store 2025 Exclusive Japanese Single Malt Whisky (2025) 70cl","description":"\u003ch2\u003eChichibu 2017 Single Cider Cask Finish #14330 Hanshin Department Store 2025 Exclusive Japanese Single Malt Whisky (2025) 70cl\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 of 213 bottles produced from a single bourbon cask with a cider cask finish exclusively for the Hanshin Department store which means being in Tokyo in the queue to have a chance of getting one. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe can vouch for the fact that the hardest place to find Japanese whisky, is in Japan. Everyone knows about it and make a huge effort to go and get it. Chichibu has obtained a cult following which never shows a single sign of slowing down with all of their releases selling out regardless of who has bottled Ichiro Akuto's casks. From strength to strength with distillery number 2 now in production with a further distillery in planning. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a 3 year old whisky, this whisky feels like most brand's 15 year olds with a heavily tropical fruit laden spirit that gets on well in all casks it would seem from tasting many. Never a bad word about a Chichibu since the Master Distiller has too many years of experience with family tradition, its history shaping the distillery of today where too much attention to detail goes into every release. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose: Tropical fruit with a slight rancio off shoot, burnt caramel drizzled over apple pie \u0026amp; red berry coulis on the side verging on a wine cask Chichibu nose. Cinnamon, grapefruit and spiced orange. Holding slightly further away from the nose leaves a lingering dunnage and production process smell as if one was at the distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate: Dances around like an unruly 5 year old. A burst of orchard fruit and hops with added mature oak ahead of its stated age. Without water, the alcohol is mid palate and oily in the mouth. Semi dry on the tongue \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish: The finish arcs over with a progression of barley \u0026amp; fruits, leaving an oaky finish that strays into the distance over the space of 15-20 seconds and slightly earthy with tree bark blended on top of a malty character at the heart of this. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Chichibu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChichibu is a Japanese whisky distillery located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Operated by Venture Whisky Ltd., the distillery was established in 2007 and began production in 2008. It is one of three distilleries owned by Venture Whisky, whose principal brand is Ichiro's Malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVenture Whisky was founded in 2004 by Ichiro Akuto for the purpose of commercializing Ichiro's Malt, a whisky produced from the remaining stock of the Hanyu Distillery, which had been owned by Toa Shuzo Co., Ltd., the Akuto family's company, until its sale that year, as well as to eventually produce whisky at a distillery of its own. This plan later took shape as the Chichibu Distillery. Chichibu Distillery was the first distillery in Japan in 35 years to receive a new whisky production license from the government, and its success contributed to the revitalization of the Japanese whisky industry, leading to the establishment of new distilleries across the country\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2019, the Chichibu Daini Distillery began operations, located 600 meters from the original Chichibu Distillery. Its first single malt, Chichibu Distillery II, was released in 2025. The production capacity of the Daini Distillery is five times that of the original facility, and its pot stills employ direct firing instead of steam-based indirect heating, while its fermentation tanks are made of French oak rather than mizunara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA unique characteristic of Chichibu is the use of locally grown barley and the pure water from the surrounding mountains, which contribute to the exceptional quality of their whisky. The distillery combines traditional techniques with innovative approaches, including the use of a wide variety of casks, including ex-bourbon, sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak. This results in complex and refined flavour profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChichibu whiskies are known for their rich and versatile character, with notes of vanilla, fruit, spice, and sometimes a subtle smokiness. The attention to detail and craftsmanship of Ichiro Akuto and his team are reflected in the international recognition and awards their whiskies have received.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2025, the Tomakomai Distillery is scheduled to begin operations in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. It will produce grain whisky using a Coffey still and will increase overall production by blending it with malt whiskies from the two Chichibu distilleries, with the aim of expanding sales outside Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBetween 2017 and 2025, whiskies such as Chichibu Whisky Festival 2017 and Ichiro’s Malt \u0026amp; Grain Blended Japanese Whisky, both produced with stock from the Chichibu Distillery, received the World’s Best awards in their respective categories seven times at the World Whiskies Awards organized by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhisky Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn March 2024, Whisky Magazine inducted Akuto into its Hall of Fame, making him the fifth Japanese figure to receive this honor. He was selected for establishing the first new whisky distillery in Japan in 35 years and becoming a leading figure in the Japanese whisky industry. The magazine cited his efforts to revive production techniques that had been fading during a period of industry stagnation, his technical innovations, his multiple award-winning whiskies, and his contributions to strengthening brand standards and improving the quality of Japanese whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChichibu has grown to be the 3rd most popular brand of whisky although some may argue it is the most popular as it sells out the quickest for the releases it churns out pound for pound with the hardest place to obtain it, being Japan itself. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e61% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chichibu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52792488755538,"sku":"CHICHI8SC14330HDS","price":749.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Chichibu2017SingleCiderCaskFinish_14330HanshinDepartmentStore2025ExclusiveJapaneseSingleMaltWhisky_2025_70cl1.jpg?v=1771972812","url":"https:\/\/whiskysituation.co.uk\/products\/chichibu-2017-single-cider-cask-finish-14330-hanshin-department-store-2025-exclusive-japanese-single-malt-whisky-2025-70cl","provider":"Whisky Situation","version":"1.0","type":"link"}