Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain Whisky
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain Whisky is a 750mL world blended whisky, bottled at 46.5% ABV, built around Ichiro Akuto's own Chichibu single malt, blended with malt and grain whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. Per the importer, the component whiskies are aged three to five years in their home countries, then aged a further one to three years at Chichibu in Saitama, Japan, before blending — a bottling with no age statement. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46.5%
- Size: 750mL (US bottling)
- Style: World blended whisky ("White Label")
- Heart: Ichiro's Malt — Chichibu's own single malt
- Components: Scotch, Irish, Canadian and American whiskies
- Maturation: Components aged 3–5 years at home, then 1–3 years more at Chichibu (importer-stated)
- Origin: Blended and bottled in Chichibu, Japan
An All-World Whisky with a Japanese Heart
Ichiro Akuto — grandson of the Hanyu Distillery's founder, and the man who rescued Hanyu's last casks for the celebrated Card Series — founded Venture Whisky in 2004 and brought the Chichibu Distillery into production in 2008. For Malt & Grain, in his own words an "all world whisky", he blends the great whisky nations around a heart of his own malt: the components arrive matured, rest further in Chichibu, and are married there. Browse the Chichibu vendor page, or start with the other Japanese pour in this series, Nikka Coffey Gin.
Tasting Notes
Per the importer: apricot, popcorn toffee, vanilla cream and Meyer lemon zest on the nose; toffee, roasted chestnut, gingerbread, vanilla and black pepper on the palate; and a medium-long finish of honey and black pepper.
How to Enjoy
Try it first neat to follow the blend's layers, then as a highball — the Japanese serving style that suits its toffee-and-citrus balance. More from the distillery is on the Chichibu vendor page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ichiro's Malt & Grain a Japanese whisky?
It is a world blend bottled in Japan: Chichibu's own malt is its heart, blended with whiskies distilled in Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States and further matured at Chichibu. It is not distilled entirely in Japan.
What proof is Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain?
This US bottling is 46.5% ABV, as printed on its label; other markets are bottled at different strengths.
What is the difference between Malt & Grain and the Limited Edition?
The Limited Edition is a separate, older bottling — components of ten years and more, at a higher strength and price. This listing is the standard Malt & Grain "White Label".
A world blend with a Chichibu heart — order Ichiro's Malt & Grain online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
