The Chichibu Distillery, established in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto, is situated in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, approximately two hours west of Tokyo. Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the now-closed Hanyu Distillery, embarked on this venture to continue his family's whisky-making legacy. Chichibu Distillery is renowned for its commitment to traditional production methods and innovation. The distillery utilizes 100% Mizunara Japanese oak washbacks, imparting a distinctive fruity character to its whiskies. Chichibu Distillery has gained international acclaim for its exceptional whiskies, contributing significantly to the global appreciation of Japanese whisky. Its dedication to quality and tradition has solidified its reputation as a standout in the Japanese whisky industry.
The distillery produces a limited volume of whisky each year, around 90,000 liters annually. Approximately one-third of this production is exported, reaching markets like the United Kingdom, France, and Taiwan. This limited production and high demand contribute to the rarity and exclusivity of Chichibu whiskies.
