3 Pot stills specially imported from a long-established Scottish manufacturer.1 Chichibu Distillery is lined with fermentation tanks made of mizunara wood not often used in the world.2 Excellent lactic acid bacteria that have settled in mizunara fermentation tanks contribute to producing high-quality whisky.4 Unblended whiskies in approximately 25,000 barrels are aging in the storehouse. Akuto tastes all of them and notes their flavors and aromas in his memory.141234Until the day he drinks a vintageA life devoted to whisky makingIchiro’s Malt, now an iconic Japanese whisky, has won numerous prestigious awards and continues to enchant many people. Though Ichiro Akuto, president of Venture Whisky, is known as a pioneer of Japanese whisky, he faced innumerable hardships and trials in creating Ichiro’s Malt.One winter, when Japanese whisky was declining in popularity, Akuto had to discard a stock of long-aged unblended whisky at his father’s sake brewery. Driven by his determination to preserve the unblended whisky produced by the brewery for many years, he established Venture Whisky in 2004. Moved by the words of his supporters who described the discarding of aged unblended whisky as a loss to the industry, Akuto vowed to use his father’s unblended whisky to create and offer his own whisky as an asset for the future. “Ichiro’s Malt” was named after Akuto’s first name and embodies his wish to pass on whisky to future generations.Over two years, Akuto visited 2,000 bars that would evaluate his whisky, and there, he talked about his dream. His fervor for the future caught the industry’s attention. In a mere few years, Ichiro’s Malt has grown into one of Japan’s leading craft whisky brands with global acclaim, receiving the top Japanese whisky award from a UK magazine in 2006.Representing the joy of traveling on JALAkuto established Chichibu Distillery in his hometown of Chichibu, which is also home to a sake brewery dating back to the Edo period. Excellent water sourced from Arakawa River’s soft water, combined with temperature fluctuations, make this area suitable for whisky production. Chichibu Distillery uses fermentation tanks made of mizunara (Japanese oak) that stimulate the activity of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. This Japanese element gives whisky a reserved, refined finish.Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Single Malt JAL EXCLUSIVE 2024, released exclusively by JAL, is a luxurious blend of approximately ten carefully selected unblended whiskies in Chichibu Distillery’s aging barrels. It brings out smoky notes while retaining traditional flavors, harmonizing a complex yet exquisite balance with high-quality individualities.The whisky was created “imagining people at the JAL lounge getting ready to embark on their trips, and the flavor leaves a memorable impression that evokes the excitement of a journey.” Akuto suggests passengers to enjoy the passage of time and sip it slowly to their liking, adding, “I hope people around the world will discover the essence of Japan through this whisky.”Chichibu Distillery has entered its 16th year of whisky production. Over 20,000 barrels of unblended whiskies are aging in the storehouse. Akuto’s dream is to drink a 30-year-old whisky from Chichibu Distillery. “It’s fun to imagine the future corresponding with a whisky’s years of aging,” he says, his eyes burning with passion for whisky. Today, he stands as a one-and-only presence in Japan’s craft whisky industry, and the world’s expectations for him continue to grow.Ichiro Akuto became the youngest Japanese to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the UK’s Whisky Magazine. He talks about his passion behind creating a masterpiece whisky inspired by journeys on JAL.Chichibu has a rich natural environment and clean air.The summer is hot and humid, while temperatures dip below freezing in winter mornings and evenings. The extreme temperature differences are favorable for aging whisky.High-quality water abundantly sourced from the headwaters of Arakawa River is used to make whiskies.“The high-quality soft water is ideal for whiskey production;Chichibu is blessed with an environment suitable for sake making,” says Akuto.Ichiro’s Malt is a world-acclaimed Japanese whisky in the spotlightThe Passion Behind Ichiro’s Malt Whisky
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