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Chichibu

Distillery
Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

Whiskies (920)

920 Chichibu whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

About Chichibu Distillery

Founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto, Chichibu Distillery is located in Saitama Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. The distillery is known for its small-scale, hands-on production approach, with all stages of whisky-making carried out on site. It uses a combination of imported and domestic barley, traditional wooden washbacks, and a range of cask types for maturation, including ex-bourbon, sherry, mizunara, and wine casks.

Chichibu gained early recognition through its “new make” and “newborn” releases, followed by the internationally acclaimed Ichiro’s Malt series. Despite its relatively recent founding, the distillery has become one of the most influential names in modern Japanese whisky, noted for its experimentation, attention to detail, and rapid rise in reputation among enthusiasts and collectors.

Saitama Prefecture, Kanto region, Japan

Country Japan
Production Type Craft distillery producing small‑batch, experimental single malts
Brands Produced Here Ichiro’s Malt (e.g., The First, Floor Malted, Peated, On The Way, limited editions)

Distillery Details

Capacity .3 MLPA
Water Source Local spring/river water in Chichibu
Grain Type Malted barley (approx. 70 % UK, 20 % Europe, 10 % Japan); peated barley from Scotland
Distillation Type Traditional pot stills
Whisky Produced Single malt Japanese whisky
Maltings on Site Yes
Maltings Type Floor malted occasionally
Kiln Fuel Future plans include local peat-fired kiln
Number of Mash Tuns 1
Mash Tun Capacity ~2,400 L
Mash Tun Material Stainless steel (wooden lid)
Mash Tun Type Standard mash tun (three‑cycle mash)
Number of Washbacks 8
Washback Capacity ~3,000 L each
Washback Material Mizunara
Washbacks (Open/ Closed) Closed
Yeast Type Japanese distiller's yeast + lactobacillus from oak fermentation
Fermentation Time 60–80 hours
Wash Stills One copper pot
Wash Still Material Copper
Wash Still Shape Standard Speyside‑inspired profile
Wash Still Capacity ~2,000 L
Wash Still Heating Indirect steam
Spirit Stills One copper pot spirit still
Spirit Stills Material Copper (Forsyth
Spirit Still Type Pot still
Spirit Still Capacity ~2,000 L
Spirit Still Heating Indirect steam
Condensors Standard heat-exchange condensers
Condensor Type Heat-exchange
Maturation on Site? Yes
Cooperage on Site? Yes
Warehouse Type Dunnage warehouses
Warehouses 4–6 warehouses
New Make Strength ~63.5 % ABV fill strength
Cask filling strength ~63.5 % ABV
Bottling on Site Yes

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