Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
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- Suggested retail price: $220
- Thursday January 16 (for as long as it lasts), we're pouring a one-ounce pour for $7
'The First' is the first single malt produced at the Chichibu Distillery, founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto.
Ichiro Akuto's family had a history of producing sake for 300 years before his grandfather began distilling in 1946. The Hanyu Distillery, which he founded, lasted two generations; but it closed in 2000, a victim of Japan's economic downturn. Ichiro decided to bring distilling back to the family. He began by purchasing as much of the old Hanyu stock as possible. With this stock, he proved himself a masterful blender and made quite a name for himself. It was only a few years ago that Ichiro was able to set up the Chichibu Distillery in Saitama Prefecture. Chichibu is making waves as a new and exciting craft distillery. Check out this excellent blog on the topic.
To be considered single-malt in Japan (and Scotland and Ireland), a whisky must be three years old. 'The First' is the first whisky from Chichibu. 'The First' is aged in seven ex-bourbon casks and one Japanese Mizunara oak cask. There was not a lot made and demand is high. This may well be a new style of whisky, with roots in a great tradition.
This Thursday January 16th, we will open one bottle of 'The First'. We will pour one ounce portions at cost. I look forward to sharing it with you.