Description
Created in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto, Chichibu has quickly established itself as one of Japan's most respected single malt distilleries, renowned for its meticulous production and pursuit of a truly 100% Japanese whisky through the use of local barley, peat and Japanese oak. Fermented in mizunara oak vats and distilled in small stills, its whiskies show remarkable maturity and complexity from a young age. From its Mizunara wash backs and small stills with steep lyne arms to the fact that the mashman uses a wooden paddle to stir the mash, Chichibu is a hands-on distillery with quality as an intrinsic focus. With the ground now broken on a blending room, and an off-site cooperage, Ichiro Akuto's distillery - formed from the ashes of his grandfather's Hanyu distillery - is one of the finest producers.