CHICHIBU - Vintage 2012 - First Fill Bourbon Barrel - 63.40%
Ichiro’s Malt is a prestigious independent bottling company specializing in exceptional Japanese whisky. Founded by Ichiro Akuto, this unique house is located in a humble yet historically rich site in Chichibu, a charming town nestled 100 km northwest of Tokyo, initially equipped with only two small traditional stills. Ichiro Akuto's distillation expertise comes from a remarkable family heritage: his grandfather was a prominent maker and leader of a historic sake brewery, the Hanyu distillery, founded in 1625. This illustrious lineage evolved with the acquisition, in 1941, of a license to distill whisky, opening the way to a passion passed down through generations. Continuing this heritage, Akuto's father acquired two Scottish stills capable of producing about 400 barrels, thus strengthening the family's vocation for producing high-quality whisky. However, the Japanese economic crisis of the 2000s, coupled with a significant decline in sake consumption, forced the family to sell their business. Both inspiring and resourceful, Ichiro Akuto turned this adversity into an opportunity by recovering the stills and maturing whisky barrels from the new owners, thus ensuring the continuity of this rare tradition.
Today, drawing on his expertise gained at the Hanyu distillery, Ichiro Akuto embodies one of the most innovative and ambitious Japanese master distillers. He currently oversees the maturation of about 4,000 varied barrels – Sherry, wine, and Bourbon – and ventures into innovations with local barley cultivation, aiming to create an authentically Japanese whisky that fully reflects the terroirs and artisanal quality of his region.
This rare and sought-after edition of Chichibu was distilled in 2012 and then aged in a single barrel (#1776) that previously held Bourbon, offering exceptional aromatic complexity. Only 140 bottles of this exceptional elixir were produced, making this vintage a collector's piece for connoisseurs and lovers of premium Japanese whisky.
Available exclusively at Clos des Spiritueux, your essential reference for rare spirits, this prestigious bottle will enrich your collection and tasting experience with an authentic and prestigious Japanese whisky.
