I will never forget an evening featuring a Chichibu 3-year-old that completely outclassed a 20 year old – Glen Deveron. Subsequent brushes with both Ichiro’s Malt expressions and Chichibu simply reinforced this bias. And yet, my opportunities to really sit down and savour these expressions have been limited over the last few years. Which is exactly why we didn’t want to miss the Ichiro’s Malt and Chichibu stand at the 2025 London Whisky Show.

Several interesting drams were on offer! We focused on:

• Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (~2021) 46.5% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 304
• Chichibu 10 year (~2025) 50.5% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 245
• Chichibu Distillery II 55% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 150
• Chichibu 2025 London Edition 10 Casks 50.5% – GBP 399

It was an incredibly popular stand, so our experience was brief yet memorable!

Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (~2021) 46.5% Bottle 2994 of 4956

There is history in the Double Distilleries expression – it brings together old (Hanyu) and new (Chichibu) distilleries. Ichiro Akuto began Ichiro’s Malt when Hanyu distillery, founded by Ichiro’s grandfather, was sold and decommissioned in 2000.

Ichiro managed to save 400 casks of Hanyu whisky and also later founded Chichibu distillery in 2008. Double Distilleries’ “Green Leaf” is a marriage of Hanyu (aged in sherry casks) and young Chichibu (aged in Mizunara oak), and was instrumental in putting Ichiro’s Malt on the global whisky map, garnering awards from its launch in 2010.

We last sampled it in the 2024 Whisky Show expressions – knowing only that the balance is now tilting heavily towards “new” Chichibu vs “old” Hanyu in its composition. We had just a wee sniff and swish in 2025 – just enough to enjoy its honey sweetness, noting the palate was “delicious!”

Chichibu 10 year (~2025) 50.5% Bottle 2994 of 4956

After being so impressed years ago by a young Chichibu, we simply couldn’t resist the 10-year-old!

• Nose – We found it bright, fresh, and subtle on the nose, joined by some honey nut cereals, apples and pears
• Palate – The palate had even more pronounced honey, ripe fruits – more peaches and appricots now, smooth as silk, nuanced and beautiful
• Finish – A dash of cinnamon and cloves, and a touch of wood

It was sophisticated and yet also very approachable.

Chichibu II Distillery (~2025) 55%

With success comes the opportunity to expand. And that is exactly what the folks at Ichiro’s Malt have done by radically increasing their capacity — five times Chichibu I! For us, the proof is always in the “pudding” aka Whisky! What did we think in our brief brush?

• Nose – A distinctive orange – or more precisely – a kumquat with its sweet skin and tart juice! Then perhaps shifted into pineapple? Orchard fruits? All we knew was it was lovely and fruity
• Palate – Spicier than the other Chichibu experiences, clearly youthful and light
• Finish – Short with a touch of sweet spices like cinnamon

What a contrast! It was such a treat to get a glimpse into an expression from their new distillery!

Chichibu 2025 London Edition 10 Casks 50.5% Bottle 1917 of 1920

For years now, Chichibu has launched a special London Edition for the Whisky Show. Like the previous year, this 2025 expression was a mix of 10 casks – from my scribbled notes, this meant 6 American casks (presumably ex-bourbon), 2 heavily peated, 2 ex Oloroso Sherry, and all were matured for 6-7 years. What did we think?

• Nose – Subtle yet grew bolder, the more time it spent in the glass…
• Palate – Soft initially, then gained substance, clearly revealing the peat influence, a mix of mocha, dried figs or dates, and sweet spices, beautifully balanced and well-rounded
• Finish – Lingers, dry

It was lovely to refresh our impressions of Ichiro’s Malt and Chichibu I and be introduced to Chichibu II. Well worth pushing through the throngs vying for drams!

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