Issue:

Above, Malt whisky mash is mixed in giant Japanese oak tubs
journalists Martin Fritz (ORF) left and Daniel Eskenazi (right) interview president and founder Ichiro Akuto.

Japanese whiskies now rank among the best and most expensive in the world, and one brand that is creating lots of interest comes from Chichibu, in western Saitama Prefecture.

In a distillery operated by the Venture Whisky Company, Ichiro Akuto is producing single malt whiskies under the brand name Ichiro’s Malt that are becoming famous around the globe.

The Special Projects Committee arranged a visit to the distillery on June 2, that included observation of the distilling process, blending and storage. The company has also built a cooperage, or barrel-making workshop, where various woods are used for making barrels to help create new and distinctive whisky blends. Ichiro Akuto, president and founder, greeted the guests.

While the company currently imports most of the malted barley, which is essential to whisky making, it plans to increase use of barley grown in the Chichibu region by local farmers.

— Geoff Tudor