Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu ‘Mizunara Heads’ Japanese Whisky (Cask #1718, 2012 Release)

Opened in 2008, Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory’s Hakushu in 1973. Founded by Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Hanyu distillery’s founder, Chichibu’s Ichiro’s Malt brand gained fame with the final casks from Hanyu, including the coveted ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases followed in 2011. This 2012 distillation, matured in cask #1718 with mizunara oak heads, was bottled exclusively by Ichiro’s Malt for Mitsukoshi Isetan.