Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First Single Malt Japanese Whisky 700ml

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First is where modern Japanese craft whisky begins. Released in 2011, it was the inaugural single malt from the Chichibu Distillery — the distillery Ichiro Akuto opened in 2008 in the mountains of Saitama Prefecture, the first new whisky distilling license granted in Japan in thirty-five years. Just three years old when bottled, it announced a house style of remarkable intensity for its age, and Whisky Advocate named it Japanese Whisky of the Year in 2012.

The First was drawn from the distillery's earliest casks — predominantly ex-bourbon barrels, with a portion of Japanese mizunara oak — and bottled without dilution or chill filtration at 61.8% ABV (123.6 proof), in a run of 7,400 bottles. Chichibu's mizunara washbacks, small Forsyth pot stills, and extreme continental climate all leave their mark: this is a young whisky that behaves like a much older one.

The nose is bright and layered — vanilla, honey, orchard fruit, and the sandalwood-and-incense lift that mizunara imparts. The palate is creamy and full at cask strength, with barley sugar, citrus, gentle spice, and a floral edge, closing on a long, elegant finish.

The founding bottle of any Chichibu collection and one of the most significant Japanese whiskies of the century. Presented in the 700ml format of its original release.

• Size: 700ml
• Proof: 123.6 (61.8% ABV) — cask strength
• Age: 3 years (distilled 2008; bottled 2011)
• Origin: Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
• Distillery: Chichibu Distillery (Venture Whisky)
• Style/Class: Single Malt Japanese Whisky, non-chill-filtered
• Cask/Aging: Ex-bourbon barrels with a portion of mizunara oak
• Release: 2011 — Chichibu's inaugural single malt; 7,400 bottles; Whisky Advocate Japanese Whisky of the Year 2012
• Tasting Notes: Vanilla, honey, orchard fruit, sandalwood, barley sugar, citrus, floral spice