2019 Ichiro's Malt Chichibu On The Way Single Malt Whisky 750ml

2019 Ichiro's Malt Chichibu On The Way is the third and final edition of a series that documented the Chichibu Distillery's journey toward maturity. Ichiro Akuto first released On The Way in 2013, then in 2015, each time vatting casks that were "on the way" to becoming ten years old — a snapshot of the distillery's evolving stock. The 2019 edition closed the series one year before The First Ten, Chichibu's first ten-year-old single malt, arrived in 2020.

The 2019 release married casks distilled between 2010 and 2016 — a mix of ex-bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and other wood types from Chichibu's warehouses — and bottled the vatting at 51.5% ABV (103 proof) without chill filtration or coloring. It reflects the full breadth of what the tiny Saitama distillery had laid down in its first decade: mizunara-washback fermentation, small Forsyth pot stills, and the intense continental climate that speeds maturation.

The nose offers honeyed fruit, vanilla, and malt with a whisper of smoke and cask spice. The palate is rich and rounded — orchard fruit, toffee, gentle sherry notes, and pepper — leading to a long, velvety finish.

For collectors, the three On The Way editions and The First Ten form a natural set — the story of a distillery growing up. Bottled in the 750ml US format.

• Size: 750ml
• Proof: 103 (51.5% ABV)
• Age: No age statement (casks distilled 2010–2016)
• Origin: Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
• Distillery: Chichibu Distillery (Venture Whisky)
• Style/Class: Single Malt Japanese Whisky, non-chill-filtered, natural color
• Cask/Aging: Vatting of ex-bourbon, sherry, and other casks
• Release: 2019 — third and final On The Way edition (previous: 2013, 2015)
• Tasting Notes: Honeyed fruit, vanilla, malt, light smoke, toffee, sherry, pepper