Chichibu Distillery Gets New Partner
As Speciality Drinks leaves the supply chain, Chichibu Distillery has opened a new partnership to handle its British presence. The new partner, Speciality Brands, will become the exclusive UK distributor of the firm’s small batch whisky. The agreement will into effect this April 2024.
Chris Seale, who represented Speciality Brands in the deal, says the company is “thrilled to join forces with Chichibu.”
“This partnership aligns seamlessly with our mission to bring exceptional spirits to the UK and will greatly strengthen our world whisky offering. We look forward to introducing Chichibu’s remarkable whiskies to our customers and spirits drinkers in the market” he said.
Chichibu Distillery Changes UK Partners
Founded by Ichiro Akuto in 2008, Chichibu Distillery has gained cult status among whisky fans over the years in part due to its meticulous production process. Speciality Brands describes the distillery as having cult status with whisky fans.
- Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky – 46.5% ABV
- Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries – 46.5% ABV
- Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve – 46.5% ABV
- Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve – 46.5% ABV
- Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition – 48.5% ABV
- Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries 2021 Chichibu x Komagatake – 53.5% ABV
The distillery is owned by Venture Whisky Ltd., a company that was established by Ichiro Akuto in 2004 to oversee the operation of the new distillery. This is the first new Japanese distillery since 1973, it went into operation four years later, in 2008. It is located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, from which the brand was named.
In 1945, Ichiro Akuto’s grandfather established the Hanyu Distillery, a sake distillery dating back over 300 years. When the bubble burst in the 1990s, so did the Japanese whisky boom, forcing Hanyu to close. There is no doubt that Chichibu is the gold standard for Japanese whisky excellence and innovation. Akuto Ichiro represents the 21st-century whisky makers.