Chichibu ages whisky in red wine casks

Drinks distributor Salud Spirits has unveiled a new Chichibu whisky that’s been aged in red wine casks.

Named Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Red Wine Cask, the Japanese whisky will be released under the company’s ‘Spirits of Salud’ label, which looks to attract a newer generation of whisky drinkers.

Lieke van Vliet, CCO of Salud Spirits, said: “Chichibu’s Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Spirits of Salud is a celebration of craftsmanship and a tribute to the art of blending.

“This release represents not just a whisky but an exclusive experience that Japanese whisky enthusiasts will appreciate.”

For the bottle’s label design, Salud Spirits illustrated ‘a place surrounded by colourful nature, with clouds, mountains, all that change with the seasons’, along with an ‘angel educating herself reading the pages of life that would resonate with the world of Chichibu whisky’.

The whisky’s notes are said to feature ‘almond cream, fudge, nougat, candied violets and dried pear’ on the nose, while the palate presents ‘malt chocolate flavours with hints of red peppercorn’.

Only 272 bottles of the 59.8% ABV whisky were produced.

It will be available to purchase before Christmas from official Chichibu stores and specialised liquor shops in the Netherlands and Austria.

The release represents another collaboration between the two brands, with Salud Spirits having previously launched the Japanese producer’s 7even Gods of Fortune series in September.

Last month, Salud Spirits also brought Starward’s limited edition Lagavulin cask-finished whisky to the Netherlands.