Chichibu Paris Edition 2026 To Pay Tribute To Legendary French Impressionist Painter Claude Monet

Every year, one of the releases most anticipated by Japanese whisky fans is surely the Chichibu Paris Edition that is bottled by the cult followed Chichibu Distillery for French bottler, retailer and distributor La Maison du Whisky (LMDW), and essentially kicks off Whisky Live Paris, one of the world's most visited whisky and spirits festivals.

And this year, LMDW has taken it to another level with its Chichibu Paris Edition! Just when fans thought that the spirits retailer couldn't make them go on a massive chase to collect it all, they continue to show us that they've got more than a few cards up their sleeves!

As per LMDW:

Since 2018, the Chichibu Paris Edition has explored the bonds uniting France and Japan through exclusive blends inspired by iconic figures and heritage. The 2026 release pays tribute to Claude Monet on the centenary of his passing. A major figure of Impressionism, the painter maintained a deep affinity with Japan: passionate about Japanese woodblock prints, he had a bridge inspired by Japanese architecture built in his Giverny garden, which he would depict continuously, capturing its variations across seasons and changing light. This edition features six distinct labels inspired by his iconic works, from The Japanese Bridge to Water Lilies.

The Chichibu Paris Edition 2026 will feature 6 numbered prints of paintings by Claude Monet, each containing the same whisky:

• Yellow: The Japanese Bridge, 1895 (Bottles 1-414)
• Green: The Water Lily Pond, 1899 (Bottles 415-828)
• Pink: The Water Lily Pond, Symphony in Rose, 1900 (Bottles 829-1242)
• Red: The Water Lily Pond, 1900 (Bottles 1243-1656)
• Orange: Japanese Bridge in Giverny, 1900 (Bottles 1657-2070)
• Blue: The Water Lily Pond and Path by the Water, 1900 (Bottles 2071-2484) 
  

The whisky itself is a single malt small batch vatting of 14 casks, which will total 2,484 bottles, that is bottled at 50.5% ABV. The vatting consists of a blend of first and second fill ex-Bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry hogsheads, and new American White Oak casks, aged 6-12 years old.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep gold.

Aroma: Fine, smooth. Supported by a pleasant lemony, almost candied acidity, the aroma palette also shows itself fruity (pear, mirabelle plum, coconut) and sappy (pine resin, barley water syrup). With aeration, subtle spicy fragrances (ginger, nutmeg) permeate the ambient atmosphere.

Taste: Delicate, dynamic. In the spirit of the nose, it is at once lemony and indulgent (apple jelly, candied pear). A very pretty herbaceous (alfalfa) and malty sequence follows, providing much freshness to the flavour palette. Then, new fruits (white grape, medlar, yellow kiwi) arrive in abundance.

Finish: Smooth, full-bodied. Lactic (coconut, rice pudding), exotic (pineapple, plantain banana), and mineral (chalk), it radiates with maturity and balance. Over time, licorice stick, dried fruit (almond, cashew nut), and tropical flower (geranium) flavours softly spread across the tastebuds.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team