Finally a renewed Ichiro’s Malt DD. Ichiro’s Malt is made from Chichibu’s first and second distilleries’ original sake.
Previously, Double Distillery used the original Chichibu distillery. But Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2nd distillery is now in operation and single malt has already been released.
It differs from the first distillery in many ways, not least of which is its production capacity, which is about five times larger than that of the craft whisky distillery.
What will this new double distillery, made from the two distilleries’ original whiskys, taste like?
1. Bottle and label photo
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Double Distillery
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Double Distillery 
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2. Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Double Distillery
The Chichibu distillery has been in operation since 2008, and the second distillery was established in 2019. The Chichibu Double Distillery is a unique blended malt whisky made from two different types of malt whisky with different characteristics. The clear, fruity taste and pleasant aftertaste that lingers gently. Enjoy the deep and delicate flavors that change over time.
(Reference: The description on the back of the label)
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Candy white peach, ginger sugar, cinnamon, vanilla essence |
| Taste | Juicy peach, cotton candy, florentine, sweet spices |
| Aftertaste | Full-bodied sweetness lingers long with a refreshing coolness. |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate | Blended Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Undisclosed |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unknown |
| Suggested Retail Price | 8,800 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | November 18, 2025 |
3. Awards
No awards received at this time.
4. List price and online price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu ON THE WAY |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 11,000 yen (including tax) |
4-2．Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari was 32,000 yen. (*As of 11/18/2025)
4-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
No auctioned items could be confirmed for Yahoo! Auctions at this time. (*As of 11/18/2025)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, and Amazon
Sales could not be confirmed on Amazon or other online shopping sites. (*As of 11/18/2025)
4-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, it is offered in small quantities such as45mlpercup: 2,310 yen, 30ml: 1,540 yen, and 15ml: 770 yen.
5. What is Venture whisky Co.
| Company name | Venture whisky Co. |
| Established | 2004 |
| Head office | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-City, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Owned distilleries | Chichibu Distillery, Chichibu No.2 Distillery |
６．What is Chichibu distillery?
| Distillery name | Chichibu Distillery |
| Location of distillery | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-City, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Start of operation | 2007 |
Single malt whisky is produced in Chichibu.
The founder, Mr. Ichiro Akuto, takes pride in the fact that the malt whisky is Japanese whisky, and produces it by hand with a small mill, mash tun, oak fermentation tanks, and pot stills made by Forsyths of Scotland.
The Chichibu distillery is surrounded by rich nature, clean air, and high quality water. The summer is hot and humid, and the morning and evening temperatures are below freezing. The difference in temperature between the cold and hot in this harsh climate has a great influence on the maturation of the whisky, resulting in a fruity and well-balanced whisky despite the short maturation period.
Established in September 2004.
Chichibu distillery was completed in 2007.
In February 2008, a license to make whisky was issued and whisky production began at the Chichibu distillery.
In October 2019, the second distillery begins operation.
This distillery was established after Suntory Hakushu distillery and Kirin Fuji Gotemba distillery, which were established in 1973. This is the first distillery to be established in Japan in 35 years, at the end of a period of stagnation in the whisky industry.
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 the fall of 2019, produces a whopping five times as much as the first distillery. The pot still is the same shape as the first distillery, but it is a much larger pot still so that it can distill five times as much malt at a time. The distiller is Forsyth and uses a direct gas-fired distiller.
7．What is the Chichibu Second Distillery?
| Distillery name | The Chichibu Second Distillery |
| Location | 79 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-Cty, Saitama 368-0067 |
| Start of operation | 2019 |
The distillery will increase production five-fold to deliver more people with the theme of “returning to the origins of whisky making” in pursuit of “the taste of Scotch from the 1950s and 1960s,” which is said to be a time of many masterpieces.
The distillery has increased its production volume, the amount of whisky made, and the size of its pot stills, all on a larger scale than the first distillery, while maintaining its commitment to the production process. The distillery boasts five times the production volume alone.
Under the theme of “going back to the basics of whisky making,” the distillery employs direct gas-fired distillation, which brings out a complex and powerful aroma.
According to Manami Monma, chief production stillman at the second distillery, the new pot produced is wetter and heavier than the first.
By using a direct flame still, the heaviness is not lost and the fruity flavor is maintained.
The quality of the liquor is produced with even more heaviness up front than that of the 1st distillery.
The first distillery uses the world’s first Mizunara oak barrel fermenter, while the second distillery uses a huge French oak fermenter made by Taransaud.
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For more information about Chichibu distillery, please visit
８. Summary
Venture Whisky, which gave birth to Ichiro’s Malt, celebrated a major milestone last year, the 20th anniversary of its founding.
Always looking forward, Venture Whisky continues to “take on challenges”.
The Tomakomai distillery will soon begin operations, and even after 20 years, it has become one of the best distilleries in Japan, continuing to breathe new life into the industry.
And the new Double Distillery is not just a new product, but rather, while inheriting the flavor of the past, we feel that it is the best that can be expressed by today’s Venture whisky.
Please take a look at our other articles on Ichiro’s Malt.
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.
