2025 Whisky Show – Ichiro’s Malt

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Carissa Hickling

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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Whisky Show 2024 – Ichiro’s Malts

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Carissa Hickling

Day 1 at London’s Whisky Show included a couple of special Chichibu whiskies, reminding us why Japanese whiskies became so popular and coveted. So on Day 2, we decided to spend a bit of time with their blends – specifically exploring the Ichiro’s leaf line up.

Ichiro’s Malt + Grain World Whisky Blend Limited Edition 46.5%

It was very approachable on the nose, well-structured on the palate – if a bit prickly with spice for a moment before mellowing down, closing with a nicely spicy finish.

And before you completely credit Japan for this blend, you should know it is actually a mix of young whiskies from Japan, combined with whiskies also from Canada, USA and Scotland.

Ichiro’s Malt 10 year World Blend 48.5%

This was a continuation of the NAS expression, just with more character – juicy and bright. On the palate, it was a bit more woody with a finish that slowly faded away.

Ichiro’s Malt Double Distillery 46.5%

Originally this expression was more Hanyu than Chichibu. Today it is the reverse – much more Chichibu with only a bit of Hanyu – from old stock of the discontinued distillery.

The nose was much more subtle and nuanced than the 10-year-old. On the palate, it was also softer and more elegant, yet with substance. The finish was warm. This was an uncomplicated easy-drinking whisky.

Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve Blended Malt 46.5%

Now this was a departure. The aromas were tight blueberries, currents with loads of tannins. The palate was savory and sweet with the clear stamp of dark red wine. The finish lingered.

Ichiro’s Malt MWR Blended Wood 46.8% ~GBP 100

We moved on to the Mizunara Wood Reserve. We found it much fruitier than the others with pears and white peach. There was a subtle smokey perfume – which our guide described as temple incense. He shared how the Mizunara wood is incredibly porous, hence its unique character.

Whilst this was only a simple sniff, swish, and spit through a few expressions, it was nice to visit and in a few cases revisit.

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Mystery Malt – Ichiro’s Malt 46.5% from Isetan Shinjuku

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Carissa Hickling

The Isetan Department store basement in Shinjuku has a remarkable whisky collection and sampling bar – a veritable wonderland for whisky afficianados.

I was like a kid in a candy store however trying to find someone who could help was slightly challenging given my non-existent Japanese. Hence figuring out what I was potentially buying involved some guess-work.

One goal was to track down something from the elusive discontinued Karuizawa, Kawasaki or Hanyu distilleries. Which definitely meant more carefully checking out the Ichiro’s Malt offerings as they astutely bought the Kawasaki and Hanyu discontinued stock.

Ichiro’s Malt 46.5% (Whisky Lady)

However… I’m not entirely sure if I succeeded in my mission!

My best guess is that this particular whisky is a special bottling for Isetan using a blend of both rare Kawasaki whisky with Hanyu, sometimes found under the label ‘Houou-uhi’ (roughly translates as Pheonix).

If I am wrong, I would very much appreciate being corrected and educated further!

Ichiro’s Malt 46.5% from Isetan Shinjuku (Whisky Lady)

Ichiro’s Malt 46.5% (Isetan Shinjuku)

Colour – Deep copper
Nose – Lemon, mustiness of the rainy season, mud from a wet forest, nori like the seaweed used in sushi wraps, hint of jasmine perfume… as it aired a subtle complex perfume enveloped
Taste – Like a dry fine cognac, wood, oil, pepper spices, matured roasted Indian spices, sense of sea, distinctly ‘Asian’ merging sweet, salt and spice perfectly
Finish – Long majestic finish, very refined

Ichiro’s Malt 46.5%… Houou-uhi? (Whisky Lady)

Impression:

Without a doubt this was the show stopper of the evening
A grand dame in her full finery!

Unveiling:

Part way through our discussion, I received an update from my Japanese friend in Amsterdam that she also believes it is Houou-Uhi – a blend Hanyu Distillery (12 & 20 year) and single grain whiskies from Kawasaki (30, 32 and 35 year)
Bottled exclusively for Isetan and, as far as I can tell, only available in its Tokyo Shinjuku store – or perhaps on auction?
The bottle and packaging alone are unique and elegant. The only other 200 ml bottle I’ve seen is on Whisyrific’s post about Ichiro’s Malt 1991 Hanyu

However I’m still not 100% certain we correctly identified it… The bottle I have does not state that it is a blend (whereas other labels do)… and the only number I can decipher in the notes is 30 (not the other years). Despite several attempts, I cannot seem to find a combination of Ichiro’s Malt, 46.5% and 30 other than the Houou-Uhi blend!

Ichiro’s ‘Mystery’ Malt 46.5% (Whisky Lady)

PS – A couple of us revisited it last night. Alas the delightful zesty lemon nose had evaporated. The sense of seaweed also dampened however there was more of a honey vanilla that emerged and the flowery perfume remained – I would still identify it best as jasmine. The cognac-like element was prominent, as was the oak. Some also described it as having a dark bitter chocolate quality. Key was unlike many whiskies that simply do not live up to their nose – this one absolutely does! Overall brilliantly balanced. Whatever this mystery malt truly is… if you spot it, grab it!

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