La distillerie
Chichibu — Ichiro Akuto’s Craft Revolution
Founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto in Saitama Prefecture, Chichibu Distillery has become the standard-bearer of Japan’s craft whisky movement. Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery, built Chichibu from the ground up with a focus on terroir-driven single malts, mizunara oak experimentation, and meticulous small-batch production. The distillery’s hybrid pot stills and dedication to floor-malted barley have earned it a cult following among collectors worldwide.
Chichibu’s output remains highly allocated, with single-cask releases and limited series commanding immediate attention at auction. The distillery’s willingness to explore unconventional cask finishes — wine, rum, umeshu — alongside traditional sherry and bourbon maturation has established Ichiro Akuto as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary Japanese whisky.
Cette expression
A 2013 Vintage From Chichibu’s Early Maturation Stock
This single malt was distilled in 2013, part of Chichibu’s fifth year of production when Ichiro Akuto was refining the distillery’s house character and establishing relationships with premium European cooperages. Bottled at 700ml, this expression represents the classic Chichibu profile — balanced between fruit-forward sweetness and subtle oak complexity. While cask type and bottling details are not specified on this release, it carries the distillery’s commitment to small-batch integrity and hand-selected maturation.
Catégorie
Single Malt
Pays
Japon
Distillé
2013
Volume
700ml
Profil de dégustation
Nez
Typical of Chichibu’s fruit-forward house style, expect orchard notes — green apple, poached pear — layered with soft vanilla and a hint of toasted cereal. Gentle floral undertones emerge with time, alongside subtle oak spice and light honeycomb sweetness characteristic of the distillery’s careful cask selection.
Le palais
Creamy mouthfeel with balanced sweetness — dried apricot, toffee, and malted barley in harmony. Mid-palate complexity builds through gentle oak tannins and a suggestion of cinnamon spice, showing the maturation depth that defines Chichibu’s elegant maturation profile without overpowering the delicate malt foundation.
Finition
Medium length with warming oak spice and lingering malt sweetness. Clean and refined, with a trace of white pepper and dried fruit that invites contemplation — the hallmark restraint of Ichiro Akuto’s blending philosophy.
Provenance et authentification
Wines & Spirits SA sources all Japanese whisky directly from over 50 certified suppliers, maintaining full chain-of-custody documentation from distillery to collector. This bottle is stored in our climate-controlled facility at 14°C and 70% relative humidity, monitored continuously to preserve integrity. Every Chichibu release is accompanied by a guarantee of authenticity — critical in a market where counterfeits of sought-after Japanese single malts have become increasingly sophisticated. For bottles in this price category, provenance is not a courtesy; it is a fundamental requirement of responsible retailing.
Contexte du collecteur
The Rising Trajectory of Chichibu in the Secondary Market
Chichibu single malts from the 2009–2014 distillation window have demonstrated consistent appreciation at international auction, with early-vintage bottlings now regularly exceeding their original retail multiples. The distillery’s limited annual output — among the smallest of Japan’s craft producers — combined with Ichiro Akuto’s refusal to compromise on quality for volume, has created a supply constraint that shows no sign of easing. Collectors view Chichibu as both a benchmark of contemporary Japanese whisky craftsmanship and a sound long-term holding, particularly for expressions carrying verifiable distillation years from the first decade of production.
Service et plaisir
Verrerie
Glencairn ou tulipe
Servir
Neat
Température
Chambre, 18°C
Temps de repos
5-10 min aérer
Best enjoyed neat at room temperature to appreciate Chichibu’s refined fruit and oak balance. Allow the whisky to breathe for five to ten minutes after pouring — the aromatic evolution is part of the experience. This is a contemplative dram suited to quiet evenings or thoughtful conversation, ideally paired with dark chocolate or dried fruit to complement its orchard character. A bottle of this calibre rewards patience and attention to detail.
Prix en ligne
990 CHF
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