Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 20th Anniversary Edition, available from Venture Whisky. Price and how to buy.
A true representative of Japanese craft whisky, highly regarded not only in Japan but also abroad. Venture Whisky Co. celebrates its 20th anniversary.
We feel that the ever-increasing and ever-evolving number of Japanese whisky distilleries today is largely due to the fact that the company has been at the top of its game.
We would like to pay tribute to their products and achievements to date and introduce this whisky.
1. Bottle and label photo
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 20th Anniversary Edition
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 20th Anniversary Edition 
2. Features of Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 20th Anniversary Edition
Founded in September 2004, Venture Whisky is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
At the time of its establishment, whisky was in its winter period and the market was shrinking year by year, but we believed it was our role to bring the original whisky left to us by our father into the world, and we have devoted ourselves to whisky making so that we can convey the taste and enjoyment of whisky to many people.
This product is made from precious domestic whisky and whisky from famous whisky regions around the world, including whisky inherited from my father, whisky from distilleries in Japan and abroad where I was given whisky-making training, and whisky from the Chichibu Distillery, which started operation in 2008, all of which have been carefully matured in the Chichibu cellar. The result is a well-balanced whiskey with a strong sense of character.
The composition of the whisky itself tells the story of Venture whisky.
We would like to express our gratitude to the many people who have supported us and hope that you will continue to enjoy it for many years to come.Ichiro Hido, President and Representative Director, Venture Whisky Co.
Quote: Excerpt from the comment on the back of the bottle
Tasting notes
| Aroma | Golden peach, pineapple, honey, a little mint, cinnamon-like spices. |
| Taste | Malty and elegantly sweet. Juicy fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, white pepper and other spices. |
| Aftertaste | A complex interplay of elements, with acidity, spiciness and sweetness remaining for a long time and leaving in turn. |
2-2. Product specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| Alcohol category | World Blended Whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon, Bourbon, Bourbon, Bourbon, Bourbon, Bourbon |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unknown |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Date of release | 30 September 2024 |
3. Awards received
No awards received at present.
4. List price and online price
4-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 20th Anniversary |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 18,150 yen (including tax) |
4-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 36,500 yen to 37,000 yen. (*As of October 2, 2024)
4-3. Sold prices on Yahoo auctions
Sold at Yahoo auctions for around 35,000 yen. (*As of October 2, 2024)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping and Amazon
On Amazon and other online retailers, it sells for around 80,000 yen. (*As of October 2, 2024)
4-5.Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, we offer it in small quantities such as 45ml per glass: 4,950 yen, 30ml: 3,300 yen, and 15ml: 1,650 yen.
5. What is Venture Whisky Co.
| Name of company. | Venture Whisky Co. |
| Established | 2004 |
| Head office address | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Owned distilleries | Chichibu distillery, Chichibu No.2 distillery |
6. What is Chichibu distillery?
| Distillery name | Chichibu Distillery |
| Location | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Start of operation | 2007 |
Single malt whisky production is rooted in the Chichibu climate.
The founder, Mr Ichiro Hido, is proud of the fact that it is Japanese whisky and produces malt whisky by hand with a small mill, mash tuns, oak fermentation tanks and pot stills made by Forsyths of Scotland.
The Chichibu distillery area is rich in nature, with clean air, good quality water, hot and humid summers and cold mornings and evenings below freezing. The difference in temperature between cold and hot in this harsh climate has a great influence on the maturation of the whisky, resulting in a fruity, well-balanced whisky despite the short maturation period.
Established in September 2004.
The Chichibu distillery was completed in 2007.
In February 2008, a licence to make whisky was granted and whisky production began at the Chichibu distillery.
The second distillery started operations in October 2019.
This distillery was established after the Suntory Hakushu distillery and the Kirin Fuji Gotemba distillery, both established in 1973. It is the first distillery to be established in Japan in 35 years, at a time when the whisky slump could be said to be coming to an end.
The annual production of whisky is only two days that of the Glenlivet distillery in Scotland.
The second distillery, which has been in operation since autumn 2019, produces a whopping five times as much as the first distillery. The distillery produces 2 t of malt at a time, and the pot stills are the same straight shape but considerably larger so that five times as much can be distilled. It is made by Forsyth and uses a direct gas-fired distiller.
See also ↓ for information on Chichibu Distillery.
See also other articles on Ichiro’s Malt.
7. Summary
This is a special bottle, and it is deeply moving to release a whisky with so many different memories that Mr Hido has been involved with as a blender and as an individual.
The contents can only be imagined, but in addition to the Hanyu and Kawasaki bottles, Mr Hido’s training sites include the Mercian Karuizawa and Benriach distilleries, which may possibly be used in the product.
Venture Whisky continues to take on challenges to evolve further, such as whisky using the Chichibu No. 2 distillery’s original spirit and grain whisky production in Tomakomai.
With respect for such passion, we would like to congratulate Venture Whisky on its 20th anniversary!
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
