Chichibu releases single malt trio
Independent Japanese whisky distillery Chichibu has launched three expressions ahead of this weekend’s Whisky Show in London.
Created in collaboration with the brand’s UK distributor, Speciality Brands, the Japanese producer has unveiled a 10-year-old single malt, the 2025 London Edition, and the first release from the second Chichibu Distillery, which was established in 2019.
The three limited releases will be available for tasting at this year’s Whisky Show, taking place from 3-5 October at Old Billingsgate in London.
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 10 Year Old is the distillery’s second age-statement single malt, following The First Ten released in 2020. It is bottled at 50.5% ABV.
The limited edition has been matured for a minimum of 10 years, primarily in ex-Bourbon barrels. Showcasing Chichibu’s signature fruit-forward style, the palate delivers textured notes of orange peel, peach, red currant, white pepper, and roasted malt.
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Distillery II is the inaugural release from Chichibu Distillery II. The expression is said to represent a new chapter in Japanese whisky, showcasing the emerging house style and offering insight into the future of the distillery.
Aged between four and five years in various cask types, the single malt boasts a 55.5% ABV. It presents a honeyed texture, complemented by notes of custard, cinnamon, and nutmeg, culminating in a smoky finish.
Completing the trio of releases, Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The London Edition 2025 is the eighth instalment in the UK-exclusive series. This year’s release is a blend of 10 casks of Chichibu single malt whisky, including two casks of heavily peated spirit.
Offered at 50.5% ABV, the expression showcases an oak-driven character complemented by integrated peat smoke. On the nose, it presents notes of mandarin, ginger, vanilla custard, and subtle smoke, followed on the palate by flavours of candied citrus, dark chocolate, brown sugar, dried fruits, and warming spices.
The London Edition is the second release in the Musha-e Series, featuring a label designed by Elixir Distillers’ creative director, Raj Chavda. The artwork portrays legendary warriors and symbolic animals and has a textured, glow-in-the-dark finish.
Chavda shared: “Inspired by the timeless Musha-e where warriors straddle the boundary between myth and reality, I designed the second release for Chichibu London Edition with a tribute to both history and legend.
“In this iteration, the noble warrior takes on the Tora, the Japanese tiger – a symbol of strength, courage, and protection. It embodies the resilience of spirit, the power of physical might, and the bravery to stand unwavering, no matter the challenge. The glow-in-the-dark elements capture the essence of energy itself. As photons absorb into the surface, the electrons in the phosphor release their stored light, creating a subtle yet powerful luminescence. It’s as if the battle, the power, the legend, suddenly springs to life after dark.”
The limited releases are available at select trade partners in the UK, with suggested retail prices of £250 (US$336) for the 10-year-old, £150 (US$202) for Chichibu Distillery II, and £210 (US$282) for the London Edition.
Earlier this year, Speciality Drinks selected a one-off Chichibu bottling for London cocktail bar Dram.
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