Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Distillery II | The First Single Malt from Chichibu’s Second Distillery

2026.08.23

A new Chichibu distillery began production in 2019. Six years later, its whisky finally appeared in bottle.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Distillery II is the first single malt released from Venture Whisky’s second Chichibu distillery.

After production began in 2019, the spirit spent several years maturing in cask before the first release bearing the name CHICHIBU DISTILLERY II arrived in 2025.

Just 600 Metres from the Original Chichibu Distillery

Chichibu Distillery II is located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, only around 600 metres from the original distillery, which began production in 2008.

Geographically, the two are close.

But Distillery II was not created simply as a larger copy of the first.

Production began in October 2019, building on the philosophy established at the original Chichibu Distillery while introducing new equipment and significantly increasing production capacity.

The “II” therefore represents more than expansion.

It marks the beginning of another chapter for Chichibu whisky.

Direct-Fired Distillation

One of the defining features of Chichibu Distillery II is its use of direct gas-fired pot stills.

Both the wash still and spirit still are heated directly by flame.

This method requires careful control, but it is intended to produce a spirit with greater weight, richness and depth.

The fermentation vessels also differ from those at the original distillery.

While the first Chichibu Distillery is known for its Japanese mizunara oak washbacks, Distillery II uses French oak washbacks made by Taransaud.

The same producer.
The same city.

Yet different equipment and production choices create another path for Chichibu whisky to develop.

A First Release Built Around Bourbon Barrels

Chichibu Distillery II is a single malt composed primarily of whisky matured in bourbon barrels.

The release combines the weight of direct-fired distillation with a notably fruit-driven character.

Vanilla appears first, followed by fruit notes reminiscent of pineapple candy and pear.

On the palate, honeyed sweetness is joined by impressions of apple pie and custard, alongside spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

The finish brings malt and smoke together, lingering with greater depth.

Fruit on one side.
The power of direct-fired distillation on the other.

This first release offers an early indication of what Chichibu Distillery II may become.

Not the Final Form, but the Starting Point

One of the most interesting details on the bottle is what it does not say.

There is no vintage.

There is no age statement.

Instead, the label gives prominence to the name:

CHICHIBU DISTILLERY II

This is not a bottle created to look back on a completed history.

It comes from a distillery whose story has only just begun.

Five years from now.
Ten years from now.

As older stocks become available, future releases from the same distillery will inevitably show different expressions of its spirit.

Chichibu Distillery II is not the conclusion of a story. It is a bottle from the very beginning of one.

That is what makes this first release particularly interesting today.