Ichiro's Malt & Grain (111 proof) Whiskey 700ml

Chichibu Distillery was founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto in Saitama, Japan, marking the first new whisky distillery built in the country in over three decades. Akuto has become one of the defining figures in modern Japanese whisky, inducted into Whisky Magazine's Hall of Fame for reviving traditional production techniques and pushing technical innovation, including the distillery's use of Mizunara oak washbacks, a rarity in whisky making anywhere in the world. Under his Ichiro's Malt label, Akuto has built a parallel reputation as a master blender, crafting world blends that pair Chichibu spirit with carefully sourced whiskies from abroad.

This 111 Proof expression reformulates the brand's classic "all-world" blend, combining malt and grain whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States, ranging from four to seventeen years old, with Chichibu's own five year old single malt. Unlike earlier releases, this edition introduces peated malt into the mix, adding a new smoky dimension, and the components rest together in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-rye whiskey casks before bottling. It is released without added color or chill filtration, at a bold 55.5% ABV, or 111 proof.

The nose brings sweet cola, caramel shortbread, and candied orange, layered with dried pineapple, tobacco, and a gentle wisp of peat smoke. On the palate, malt and dark chocolate meet black cherry and raisin, with anise adding a savory edge. The finish turns toward clove and licorice, closing with lingering tropical fruit and a touch of sea salt minerality.