The second official release from the Chichibu No. 2 Distillery.
A combination of direct-fire distilled spirit from the No. 2 Distillery and sherry cask aging.
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu No. 2 Distillery began operations in 2019 at a location slightly removed from the No. 1 Distillery.
It differs from the First Distillery in many ways, in particular, its production scale is about five times larger, making it a distillery with considerable production capacity even among craft whisky distilleries.
1. Photos of the bottle and label
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu No. 2 Distillery “Hint of Sherry 2026”
Ichiro’s Malt CHICHIBU No. 2 Distillery “Hint of Sherry 2026”
2. Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu No. 2 Distillery “Hint of Sherry 2026”
Chichibu No. 2 Distillery began writing a new chapter in its history in 2019. The rich flavors of direct-fire distillation powerfully bridge tradition and innovation, allowing the taste created by each drop of the raw spirit to gently resonate throughout the entire blend.A pleasant smokiness and a warm, mellow sweetness derived from sherry cask-aged spirit. A deep, vibrant fruitiness envelops the entire profile—
This single malt from the Chichibu No. 2 Distillery offers the joy of journeying together through the process of maturation over time. We hope you will continue to enjoy it—along with its history—for years to come.Quote: From the back of the label
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Peach Tarte Tatin, dark maple syrup, cigarillo, allspice |
| Taste | Caramel pudding, smoked dried apricot, black tea chiffon cake |
| Finish | A long-lasting bitterness reminiscent of withered trees and leaves, paired with a rich, full-bodied sweetness |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 53% |
| Category | Single Malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask Type | Sherry Cask |
| Content Capacity | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | Unknown |
| Suggested Retail Price | 12,100 yen (tax included) |
| Release Date | June 23, 2026 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received to date.
4. List Price and Online Prices
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu No. 2 Distillery “Hint of Sherry 2026” |
| Content Capacity | 700 ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 12,100 yen (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari range from approximately23,000 yen to 28,000 yen. (*As of June 23, 2026)
4-3. Winning Bid Price on Yahoo! Auctions
We confirmed listings on Yahoo! Auctions priced around 27,000 yen. (As of June 23, 2026)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and Amazon
We were unable to confirm sales on online retailers such as Amazon. (As of June 23, 2025)
4-5. Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this website, we offer even small portions, such as45 ml for 3,630 yen, 30 ml for 2,420 yen, and 15 ml for 1,210 yen.
5. What is Venture Whisky Co., Ltd.?
| Company Name | Venture Whisky Co., Ltd. |
| Established | 2004 |
| Headquarters | 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-City, Saitama Prefecture 368-0067 |
| Distilleries Owned | Chichibu Distillery, Chichibu No. 2 Distillery, Tomakomai Distillery |
6. What is the Chichibu No. 2 Distillery?
| Distillery Name | Chichibu No. 2 Distillery |
| Location | 79 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-City, Saitama Prefecture 368-0067 |
| Start of Operations | 2019 |
Seeking to capture the “flavors of Scotch from the 1950s to the 1960s”—an era renowned for its many masterpieces—and under the theme of “returning to the roots of whisky making,” production volume has been increased fivefold to make these whiskys accessible to a wider audience.
While maintaining our commitment to craftsmanship, we have scaled up every aspect—production volume, batch size, and pot still size—compared to our first distillery. Our production volume alone is five times greater.
Under the theme of “returning to the roots of whisky-making,” the distillery employs direct-fire distillation to bring out complex and robust flavors.
According to Production Chief and Stillman at the Second Distillery, Asami Monma, the resulting new make spirit has a smoother, heavier body than that of the First Distillery.
By distilling the stills over a direct flame, the spirit retains its body while maintaining its fruitiness.
The resulting spirit features a character that emphasizes its heaviness even more than that of Distillery No. 1.
While Distillery No. 1 uses the world’s first Mizunara oak fermentation tanks, Distillery No. 2 employs massive French oak fermentation tanks manufactured by Taransaud.
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Please also see the information on the Chichibu Distillery below.
7. Summary
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu No. 2 Distillery “Hint of Sherry 2026.” As the second official release from the Chichibu No. 2 Distillery, this bottle clearly demonstrates the distillery’s direction in terms of spirit character.
The rich, full-bodied depth of the malt, achieved through direct-fire distillation, harmonizes beautifully with the sweetness reminiscent of dried fruit and caramel derived from sherry casks. Furthermore, a gentle yet perceptible smokiness ties the whole profile together, resulting in a level of refinement that belies its youth.
Although the Chichibu No. 2 Distillery has a production capacity approximately five times that of the No. 1 Distillery, it pursues a commitment to quality—not just efficiency—as evidenced by its adoption of direct-fire distillation under the motto “returning to our roots.”
This bottle clearly conveys that rich, robust character.
As the number of aged spirits increases over time, this whisky is expected to evolve into an even more complex and nuanced single malt.
This is a must-try bottle, especially for those interested in experiencing the differences between the Chichibu No. 1 and No. 2 Distilleries.
Please be sure to check out 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.
