2021 Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Chichibu x Komagatake Chichibu Aging Blended Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

Japanese whisky lovers have another 'concept whisky' to add to their portfolio, following on from the Shinshu Mars Distillery Komagatake x Chichibu Malt Duo released earlier in the year. Both are blended malts made by exchanging new make from Mars Whisky (Komagatake) and Venture Whisky (Chichibu), with each matured at the other's distilleries. It's the first initiative of its kind in the Japanese whisky industry.

While Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano Prefecture is located high in the mountains where the climate is cold, Chinchibu is in the warmer Saitama Prefecture at a lower altitude. Over six years, the whisky's matured in their respective locations, with progress monitored.

"Getting reports on the maturation status from the other distillery was like hearing about my children growing up in a different city," said Mr Kunai, the Director and Master Blender of Mars Whisky. Both components were distilled in 2015, exchanged, matured at each distillery's warehouse and then vatted. The concept was started in the hope that the exchange of raw spirits, which is a common practice in Scotland, could be realised in Japan. Bottles are already fetching super premium prices on the secondary market. 10,200 bottles of Ichiro's blend are on offer globally. 53.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Very limited allocation.