Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Double Distilleries | Little Happiness
2026.6.18
It’s finally arrived at Little Happiness, too!
The renewed Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu “The Double Distilleries”!
At a glance it looks the same, but inside it has been completely renewed. From its previous makeup of “Chichibu + Hanyu” — a kind of bridge between the old and the new — it has evolved into a blended malt made entirely from Chichibu spirit: “Chichibu Distillery No.1 + Chichibu Distillery No.2.”
The label design has been refreshed as well, with the word “Chichibu” now emphasized more boldly.
The Shape of Evolution I Witnessed at Chichibu Distillery No.2
A while ago now, I was lucky enough to have the chance to tour inside Chichibu Distillery No.2. What I saw there was a completely different world from Distillery No.1. The biggest surprise was just how automated it was.
At its center was a control space lined with monitors — almost like a “machine room” — with the distinct air of the cutting edge of modern whisky-making. (Sadly, I missed my chance to take a photo.) There’s no doubt this has dramatically increased production capacity.
The word “automation” might give some people a slightly cold, impersonal impression. But — and this is only based on my own rough understanding — the latest automation in whisky-making is by no means about abandoning craftsmanship or chasing easy efficiency.
By entrusting computer control with the back-of-house work that once demanded enormous effort, the makers can create an environment where they focus more on the delicate, nerve-wracking tasks — like the direct-fire distillation that is Distillery No.2’s greatest feature, where a craftsman’s instinct judges the quality of the spirit. That, in turn, contributes to making even better spirit.
Using technology to draw out the ideal flavor to perfection, while people concentrate on the more creative moments — I feel I glimpsed exactly that kind of Venture Whisky in this new Distillery No.2.
When I once tried “Chichibu The First Ten,” its vivid fruitiness completely floored me — “Wait, Chichibu can be this gorgeous?!” To be honest, until then I had privately imagined Chichibu whisky as something more powerful and malty.
Through that tour of Distillery No.2, I sensed the direction Ichiro’s Malt is aiming for. I still want to be a little careful putting it into words, but how the elegance of Distillery No.1 and the state-of-the-art facilities of Distillery No.2 will resonate together — the answer feels packed into this newly reborn “DD.”
The Harmony Played by Two Different “Chichibus”
This Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Double Distilleries blends spirit from Distillery No.1, which began operating in 2008, and Distillery No.2, born in 2019.
- Chichibu Distillery No.1: Rich, endlessly elegant fruitiness.
- Chichibu Distillery No.2: A firm, core-deep strength born of direct-fire distillation.
When these two come together, the result is said to hold far more than simple fruitiness — a rich, honey-like sweetness and a crystalline fruit character coexisting in exquisite balance. I had the impression that the gap left by the “history” of Hanyu spirit is being filled, gracefully, by the “evolution” the company has built up on its own.
Official Tasting Notes
The flavor described in the official materials feels almost like the rich, pure nature of Chichibu, distilled into a glass.
- On the nose, vanilla sweetness layers with the fruitiness of coconut, white peach, pineapple, apricot, and mandarin orange, accented by the freshness of frozen yogurt and mint.
- On the palate, the mellow sweetness of white chocolate and honey opens into the fruit of pear, loquat, white peach, and melon, while white ash, clove, and white pepper lend spice and depth.
- The finish lingers long, carrying a gentle char-like nuance, with the depth of barley pulling the whole together.
This renewal is nothing less than the opening shot of the “era to come” that Venture Whisky is carving out.
Such is the attention it’s drawing that shops are reportedly selling out one after another.
I’d been meaning to buy it for ages, but my shelves at Little Happiness are so packed there was nowhere to put it, so I kept putting it off — and then it was simply so delicious that I bought it anyway.
When someone asks me, “What kind of whisky is Chichibu?”, I used to explain by weaving in the history of Hanyu. From now on, I feel I can answer with confidence through the taste of this “Double Chichibu” itself.
The stories I heard from the distillery team are still something I’m slowly digesting. But I believe that one sip of this bottle lets you sense a glimpse of the future Ichiro’s Malt is looking toward.
[A note from Mika] Since there is still little official information about this Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Double Distilleries, some of this includes my own personal musings and imaginings. I hope you’ll enjoy it as the murmurings of one whisky lover.
Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum & Whisky.
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【About the Author】
Mika Tanimoto CEO of Little.m Inc. / Owner Bartender
Owner of Bar Little Happiness, a Rum & Whisky specialty bar that has been running for 20 years in Hiroshima City. Since founding it in 2006, she has worked as a specialist devoted to sharing the wonder of whisky and rum. The back bar holds over 1,000 bottles, from rare and hard-to-find labels to local Hiroshima drams like Sakurao.
• Multiple venues: In addition to the main bar, she directly runs a sister venue, the Rum & Whisky Highball Bar, for more casual enjoyment.
• Online business: She runs an online shop delivering carefully selected bottles in small portions across Japan.
• Writing: She authors the specialist column “Notes on Whisky and Rum.”
“Both whisky and rum taste even better the moment you connect with the maker’s passion.”
Definitely very recommended, I hope to be able to come back here in a future Japan trip! Thank you so much, cheers from Italy!
