Chichibu Paris Edition 2018 is a commemorative single malt created to mark the 160th anniversary of Franco-Japanese diplomatic relations. This limited release of 1,357 bottles is a vatting of five casks: three Mizunara oak and two new French oak, filled with distillate from two barley varieties (Tipple and Braemar), distilled in 2009, 2011, and 2012. Bottled at cask strength 57.3% ABV, non-chill-filtered. MATURATION: The five-cask composition is the foundation of this whisky's complexity. Three Mizunara (Japanese oak) casks contribute signature oriental incense, sandalwood and spiced sweetness that no other wood replicates; two new French oak casks add structure, vanilla and a tighter tannic grip. SERVING: Serve in a Glencairn at room temperature. This is a whisky for careful, unhurried drinking, Mizunara notes emerge slowly and reward patience. Water is recommended in small increments (five drops at a time) to open the incense and spice layers without diminishing the concentrated richness.
Tasting notes
Pale gold with warm amber nuances.
Elegant and precise: inherent sweetness in delicate honey, roasted coffee, cocoa, orange marmalade and apricot.
Balanced and rich: lively spices (pepper, liquorice, nutmeg), honey, warm milk, citrus (yuzu, kumquat).
Long and harmonious: mizunara spice and honey linger well beyond the last sip with soft, enveloping warmth.
Chichibu Distillery was founded in 2007 by Ichiro Akuto in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and began production in 2008. It was the first distillery in Japan in 35 years to receive a new whisky production licence, directly contributing to the renaissance of Japanese whisky.Ichiro Akuto comes from a long line of sake brewers; his grandfather owned Hanyu Distillery, whose final casks became the legendary Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series.At Chichibu, he pursues an artisan philosophy: limited production, locally grown malted barley, long fermentations in Douglas fir washbacks, and maturation across a wide variety of casks including Japanese mizunara oak. The distillery is today regarded as one of the most creative and influential in the world.
