Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Kusuda 2017

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Kusuda 2017

Chichibu distillery is a small distillery with only nine full-time employees. The distillery is owned by Venture whisky, which was founded in 2004 in Chichibu city, Saitama, just outside of Tokyo (hence its name). This particular offering from Ichiro’s Range is an Ichiro’s Malt and Kusuda Wine’s Special Collaboration Bottle. It was released in 2017 and limited to 1270 bottles. As with everything else from the Chichibu distillery, it is highly recommended.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Kusuda 2017 Tasting Notes

Nose: Dignified with the fine French oak influence; a polite presence of wine tannins alongside freshly plucked strawberries conveying that clean sweetness and dressed with ginger flowers.

Palate & Finish: A subtle macaron-like sweetness as the jammy strawberries intensify then effortlessly dissolve, granting a spike of acidity that gives a beautiful zing. A rewarding finish with the lush forest berries and a silky creaminess.

Thoughts: This is the second collaboration between Chichibu Distillery and Kusuda Wines.  I have been searching for the first release for a couple of years now without success so naturally the anticipation has built up for this dram.  I’m pleased to say that this dram has rewarded my longing..