Chichibu London Edition 2026

THE HOLY SPIRITS VIEW
The London Edition is Chichibu’s UK-only annual release, and one of the most chased bottles on the Japanese whisky calendar. This ninth edition marries 16 casks, all from the original Chichibu I distillery, and adds a twist: two wine casks, from New Zealand and California, alongside first- and second-fill bourbon. 
 
THE DISTILLERY
Chichibu was founded by Ichiro Akuto and began distilling in 2008 in Saitama prefecture, about 100km from Tokyo. It has become one of the most coveted craft distilleries in the world, and blending is at the heart of Ichiro’s approach: each edition is built cask by cask, never to a fixed recipe.
 
THE WHISKY: THE LONDON EDITION 2026
The ninth release in a series launched at The Whisky Show in 2018, made exclusively for the UK. It marries 16 casks of single malt, all distilled at Chichibu I, a combination of first- and second-fill bourbon barrels with two wine casks from New Zealand and California. Bottled at 50.5% ABV. The label, designed by Raj Chavda of Elixir Distillers, continues the Musha-e (warriors of ukiyo-e) theme: a noble warrior confronting a serpent, symbolising protection, wisdom, good fortune and rebirth.
 
TASTING NOTES
Vanilla and honey first, whipped cream, grapefruit peel, apricot. Fruit-forward, bright, classic Chichibu with the wine casks adding a touch of structure underneath. Honeyed sweetness builds with air, citrus staying lifted throughout. Soft, creamy texture, gentle spice at the edges. Long and refined. Elegant, very drinkable at 50.5%.
 
Serve: Neat, in a Glencairn glass, with a few drops of water if you want the fruit to open further.