Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Whisky Limited Edition
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Whisky Limited Edition is a 48% ABV (96 proof) annual-release world blend from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu Distillery in Saitama, Japan — a multi-award-winning bottling that has taken World's Best Blended Limited Release at the World Whiskies Awards. Chichibu malt whisky is blended with 8+ distillates from Scotland, Ireland, England, the USA, and Canada; every component is a minimum of 10 years old, with several sourced whiskies aged 20–40 years, and the blend is further matured at Chichibu before vatting. No coloring, non-chill filtered. A 750mL bottle of one of the world's most decorated blends. Find it at Del Mesa Liquor — order online from San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US bottle)
- Age: NAS — all components minimum 10 years; several 20–40 years
- Blend: Chichibu malt + whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, England, USA, Canada; no coloring, non-chill filtered
- Origin: Vatted and matured at Chichibu Distillery, Saitama, Japan
Ichiro Akuto's World Blend, Matured in Chichibu
Ichiro Akuto — the founder who rescued his family's distilling legacy — built his reputation on exactly this kind of bottling: world-class malt from his tiny Saitama distillery, married to long-aged stocks from five countries and given a final maturation in Japan before release. The result is the rare blend that wins over single-malt drinkers: baked apple, cinnamon, roasted corn, and white pepper on the nose; a rich, malty palate with a toffee-vanilla-caramel backbone and sherry-and-oak undertones. Annual and limited, each release since 2018 has been an event. See more Chichibu whiskies or explore the Japanese whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: baked apple, cinnamon, roasted corn, white pepper, honey (distributor press material). Palate: rich and malty — toffee, vanilla, caramel backbone. Aromas of sherry and subtle oak. Long, warming finish.
How to Enjoy
Neat, in a proper nosing glass — at 48% and non-chill filtered, it has the texture to reward patience. A teaspoon of water opens the orchard-fruit notes. Too good (and too limited) to bury in cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Whisky? An annual limited-edition blend of Chichibu malt whisky with whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, England, the USA, and Canada, vatted and matured at Chichibu Distillery in Japan.
Which year's Limited Edition is this bottle? The series has released annually since 2018; check the bottle label for the specific release year — specs (48% ABV, 10-year-minimum components) are consistent across editions.
Has it won awards? Yes — World's Best Blended Limited Release at the World Whiskies Awards (2019 winner; the series has won across multiple editions).
Find Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain Limited Edition at Del Mesa Liquor — order online from San Diego, CA.