Chichibu Ichiro’s Wine Wood Reserve

Chichibu Ichiro's Wine Wood Reserve is a no age statement blended malt from Venture Whisky's Chichibu distillery in Saitama, matured in French oak wine casks and bottled at 46% for the global market. Wine wood maturation is a deliberate departure from Chichibu's more familiar bourbon and mizunara programme, using the influence of French oak to shift the spirit's direction toward a softer, more fruit-driven expression.

The French oak casks contribute cooked fruit, fresh fruit, honey and new wood notes, with a leafy, almost herbal lift that carries the house's naturally vibrant new make in a lighter, more open direction than the typical Ex-Bourbon releases. Citrus brightness runs through the finish, and the 46% strength preserves the wine wood's contribution without overwhelming the underlying fruit character.