Can we still call Chichibu a new generation of craft whisky producers? With some 20 years under their belt and for some time now, a second distillery that's been quietly churning away at producing whiskies that have been patiently maturing and till now have not really seen the light of day, plus a whole group of actually young craft distillers touting Chichibu as their inspiration, that have themselves begun putting their own whiskies on shelves - it's probably time to say it, Chichibu's all grown up!

And thus whilst Chichibu's single casks once made massive splashes, it seems like the past several years have simply been business as usual - and so it's been a long time coming that the Japanese super star made big waves once again. This time, it'll have to come from a whole new distillery!

Chichibu Distillery Two will pay homage to a traditional style of whiskymaking.

It appears that for a Ichiro's Malt Chichibu Edition 2024 expression, Chichibu is finally officially releasing whisky made in its second distillery. The new expression, currently only available within the Chichibu area, teases a Blended Malt Japanese Whisky that combines whiskies from both Chichibu Distillery One and Two!

The new expression is said to be a blend of 10 year old whisky from Chichibu Distillery One, and of course younger whiskies from Chichibu Distillery Two (established in 2019, and thus its oldest whiskies currently would be about 5 years old; notably using direct fired distillation and French oak washbacks), bottled at 52% ABV.