ICHIRO’S MALT

ICHIRO'S MALT & GRAIN 111 55.5% ABV

Ichiro's Malt and Grain 111 is more than just the sum of its parts. This U.S. exclusive bottling is in no small way, a revelation in blending. Not just a stronger version of the classic "white label" world blend, the 111 gets a reformulation entirely. Like others in this series, the 111 is an exploration of the world's major whisky producing regions, blending malt and grain whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and America. These whiskies ranging from 4-17 years in age are married with Ichiro's own 5 year old single malt at Chichibu. Unlike its prior white and blue label releases, Ichiro's Malt and Grain 111 sees the inclusion of peated malt into its blend, giving the whisky a subtly smokey depth. Additionally, the ABV has been raised to a sturdy 55.5% (111 proof) marking the first time this core blend has been bottled at such a high strength outside of a distillery exclusive release. The complex aromatics show cola, shortbread, and sweet tobacco. Flavors of candied orange slices and dried pineapple build to a slightly smokey finish, flush with tropical fruit and sea salt. Ichiro and his team of dedicated craftspeople at Chichibu underscore the argument that blended whisky is anything but inferior to single malt.

SPECIAL NOTES

A U.S. EXCLUSIVE RELEASE OF THE CLASSIC WORLD BLEND

CHICHIBU ON THE WAY FLOOR MALTED 54.5% ABV

Chichibu One the Way Floor Malted 2024 is the fourth edition in this ongoing series and the first since its last release in 2019. On the Way is an evolving series of non-age statement single malts that vat together increasingly mature whisky from this iconic distillery now in its 16th year. A twist to this edition is that all of the 58 barrels of whisky used in its creation contained Chichibu's own floor malted barley. Floor malting is the process by which soaked barley is spread across a concrete floor and manually turned by hand to promote germination. This process is rarely done, even amongst many Scottish distilleries due to its laborious, less efficient nature and need for precise adjustment to ambient temperature. The results, however, speak for themselves as floor malting coaxes out deeper honied and nutty flavors from the barley that some find far superior to the product from more automated malting practices. The barrels for this edition of On the Way were selected for their rustic barley flavors, allowing the imbiber to enjoy all the complex richness this floor malted grain can offer. Flavors of bright citrus and stone fruit accompany deeper notes of vanilla and honey before its lengthy, coating finish.

barrels used to age

EX-BOURBON BARRELS, PUNCHEON, MIZUNARA HOGSHEAD, WINE CASK, AND CHIBIDARU

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE BARREL "CLEVER CASK" #5882 64.7% ABV

Kicking off our latest batch of single cask whiskies from Ichiro Akuto's legendary Chichibu distillery is affectionately referred to as the "Clever Cask." This unpeated, 8 year old single malt was matured in one 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel and released in the fall of 2024. Full of bright red fruit and shortcake aromas, Cask #5882 unfolds into beautiful flavors of walnut, dried orange, and juicy, white grapes. The artwork gracing the label is one of four classic pen and ink drawings from E.H. Shepard who illustrated all A.A. Milne's stories of Winnie the Pooh. Who could resist this silly old bear of a whisky?

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE BARREL "LAZY CASK" #7084 64% ABV

Our second offering of Chichibu's single barrels for Fall of 2024 is "Lazy Cask" #7084, a 7 year old unpeated single malt that matured in a 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel, previously containing peated whisky. The result is a lightly smokey dram full of honey, butter cream, dried apple, and delicate peat. The artwork gracing the label is one of four classic pen and ink drawings from E.H. Shepard who illustrated all A.A. Milne's stories of Winnie the Pooh. A perfect whisky for a relaxing day of doing nothing, shared with your best friend.

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE BARREL "TOMODACHI" #12507 62.5% ABV

The "Tomodachi Cask" #12507 is final single barrel release from Chichibu's Fall 2024 releases for the US and is one of the oldest. This unpeated single malt whisky was matured in one Koshu White Wine Barrel for 9 years before bottling. Koshu is a high acid grape varietal native to Japan, and one that is primarily produced in nearby Yamanashi prefecture. Robust flavors of red fruit, tobacco, bitter greens, and spicy coriander drive this whisky home before finishing in a juicy oak-delivered finish. Tomodachi means "friend" in Japanese and what better word is there to sum up this whisky's label? The artwork gracing the label is one of four classic pen and ink drawings from E.H. Shepard who illustrated all A.A. Milne's stories of Winnie the Pooh. Truly a day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey.

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE CASK "NIGHT'S PARADE OF 100 DEMONS" #5742 63% ABV

This U.S. exclusive cask released in 2024 was selected for our friends at K&L Wine Merchants in California. Distilled in 2016, solely from Propino barley and bottled at 63% ABV, this single malt whisky was matured at Chichibu in a single first fill ex-bourbon barrel. The label depicts a woodblock print "Night's Parade of 100 Demons" from the Edo Period Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyosai.

SPECIAL NOTES

K&L Wine Merchants Exclusive Cask

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE CASK "BIRD AND SNAKE" #5790 63.7% ABV

One of the five single cask releases exclusive to the United States for 2024 Cask #5790 was distilled in 2016 from both Propino and Concerto barley. It was matured in a single first fill ex-bourbon barrel and bottled at 63.7% ABV. Each of these five single casks for 2024 is labeled with a woodblock print image from the highly influential Edo Period artist Kawanabe Kyosai. Earning the nickname "The Drawing Demon" from his mentor in the artistic studies of his youth, Kyosai went on to be one of Japan's first political satirists, who is considered by many to be the spiritual successor to the great ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. Like Kawanabe san's art, Ichiro makes his whiskies on his own terms to uncompromising quality and effect.

SPECIAL NOTES

LABEL IMAGE BY EDO PERIOD ARTIST KAWANABE KYOSAI 18805k

ICHIRO'S MALT CHICHIBU SINGLE CASK "CROW" #7180 61.9% ABV

One of the five single cask releases exclusive to the United States for 2024 Cask #7180 was distilled in 2016 from Concerto barley. It was matured in a single red wine cask and bottled at 61.9% ABV. Each of these five single casks for 2024 is labeled with a woodblock print image from the highly influential Edo Period artist Kawanabe Kyosai. Earning the nickname "The Drawing Demon" from his mentor in the artistic studies of his youth, Kyosai went on to be one of Japan's first political satirists who is considered by many to be the spiritual successor to the great ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. Like Kawanabe san's art, Ichiro makes his whiskies on his own terms to uncompromising quality and effect.

SPECIAL NOTES

LABEL IMAGE BY EDO PERIOD ARTIST KAWANABE KYOSAI 18805

US EDITION SINGLE MALT 2023 53.5% ABV

This latest release of the legendary Chichibu’s single malt exclusive to the US is heavily peated whisky vatted from over fourteen casks. The base is aged in T5 virgin French oak barrels and married with a variety of supporting casks, including sherry, mizunara hog’s head, and chibi daru quarter casks. Aromas of orange peel, mint, loquat, and melon are followed by a rich palate of soft sweetness yielding to a nutty herbal finish. These annual editions of Ichiro Akuto’s single malt whisky serve as a strong reminder that they are all history in the making.

SPECIAL NOTES

The latest edition of Chichibu’s exclusive release to the U.S. features an anachronistic label change featuring Commodore Matthew Perry enjoying a dram of Ichiro’s whiskey in the U.S. Capitol surrounded by the cherry blossom trees gifted from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki and Dr. Jokichi Takamine in 1909.

barrels used to age

T5 VIRGIN FRENCH OAK CASKS, MIZUNARA HOG’S HEAD, SHERRY, CHIBI DARU

CASK #7086 SINGLE BARREL 63.8% ABV

Year of the Rabbit

special notes

This single cask of Chichibu exclusive to the American market is 5 years old and cask strength. The whisky spent its maturation time in an ex-bourbon barrel that previously held peated Chichibu whisky that was pulled at 64.1% ABV. The result is a beautifully nuanced whisky, which while not directly peated – has an elegant smokey character.

CHICHIBU THE US EDITION 2022 53.5% ABV

This annual release of Chichibu single malt for the US market focuses on a selection of barrels which previously held IPA, imperial stout, and cider that had been hopped. The US Edition 2022 is a continuing evolution of experimentation and craft from the trailblazing Chichibu Distillery.

cask types

Hog’s Head, Ex-IPA Cask, Ex-Imperial Stout Cask, and an Ex-Hopped Cider Cask

CHICHIBU THE PEATED 2022 SINGLE MALT 53.5% ABV

special notes

With the release of The Peated 2022 Single Malt, Chichibu marks its return to a release from this series since 2018. All the barley is malted over peat fires on site at their distillery in Saitama, a step of production usually left to larger malting houses in the UK. Chichibu The Peated 2022 is a return to form for series of whiskies that has been sorely missed

CHICHIBU ON THE WAY 51.5% ABV

Perfect example of Chichibu’s perfected balance of malt, fruit & spice. The nose shines with dried orange & caramel, fruit spice & a delicious light woodiness. Apples, pear skin, cereal & maple syrup notes mingle on the palate with classic malty oak tannins & a touch of vanilla. A chewy, lingering nutty finish in all the best ways with soft notes of leather & oak.

CHICHIBU THE US EDITION 2019

A classic Chichibu style lush textured whisky followed by subtle aromas of toasted biscuits. Initially the palate is sharp & dry, then elegantly evolves into overripened grapes & pristine bourbon. The finish is clean with just a hint of sweetness.

Cask #2345 Braemar Malt Ex-bourbon 6yr

Year of the Boar

tasting notes

Nose: Balanced notes of stone fruit, honey & hay that evolves into a malty fruit basket when opened up.

Palate: Classic lushness synonymous with Chichibu whiskies with initial notes of allspice followed by deep notes of warm dates, citrus peel & toffee.

Finish: Long, lingering & rich with beautiful hints of almond brittle and a subtle sweetness to match.

Cask #2134 Concerto Malt Ex-bourbon 6yr

Year of the rat

tasting notes

Nose: Overripe melon & a clean nuttiness with subtle hints of biscuit & cocoa.

Palate: Rich & full-bodied with perfectly light flavors of vanilla & apricot.

Finish: A lingering malty richness evolves into warm notes of autumn spice.