Venture Whisky

ベンチャーウイスキー

Venture Whisky Ltd.

Founded in 2004 by Ichiro Akuto, who famously saved his family's remaining whisky barrels from Hanyu distillery (closed 2000) and released them as the legendary "Playing Card" series, now among the most valuable Japanese whiskies ever bottled. Venture Whisky operates the Chichibu Distillery in Saitama Prefecture, which has become the gold standard for Japanese craft whisky. Despite its tiny size, Chichibu consistently produces whiskies that rival or exceed products from distilleries ten times its age. Ichiro's Malt releases are allocated, limited, and command premium prices. The distillery is JSLMA compliant and represents the best of the Japanese craft movement.

Ichiro Akuto's journey from saving his family's whisky heritage to building Japan's most acclaimed craft distillery is one of the great success stories in modern whisky. When Akuto's family company, Toa Shuzo, was acquired and the Hanyu distillery closed, Ichiro personally arranged to save approximately 400 casks of Hanyu whisky. He released these as the "Ichiro's Malt" Card Series, 54 bottlings each featuring a playing card design. These bottles have become some of the most collectible whiskies in existence, with complete sets selling for millions of dollars at auction. In 2007, Chichibu Distillery began production, and despite working with very young spirit, the quality was immediately apparent. Ichiro's philosophy emphasizes handcrafted production: the distillery uses floor malting, small pot stills, and meticulous cask selection. The distillery's output is tiny compared to Suntory or Nikka, making every release highly allocated. Chichibu opened a second production site (Distillery II) to increase capacity while maintaining quality. In the enthusiast community, Chichibu is spoken of with near reverence. Reddit and whisky forums consistently describe Chichibu expressions as "damn good for young whisky" and praise the oily mouthfeel, fruity character, and innovative cask finishes (IPA, wine, mizunara) that define the range.

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Whiskies by Venture Whisky

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu IPA Cask Finish

Single Malt · $500+

57.5% ABV

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu London Edition 2024

Single Malt · $500+

52.5% ABV

Chichibu The Peated

Single Malt · $250 – $500

53.5% ABV

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First

Single Malt · $500+

61.8% ABV · 3 yrs

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky

world_blend · $50 – $100

46.5% ABV

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu On The Way

Single Malt · $500+

51.5% ABV

Venture Whisky

Whiskies by Venture Whisky

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu IPA Cask Finish

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu London Edition 2024

Chichibu The Peated

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu On The Way

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu Ken's Choice Jazz Instrumental Trumpet 2007

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The US Edition 2019 Single Malt Whiskey

Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries 2021 Chichibu X Komagatake

Komagatake X Chichibu Malt Duo Shinshu Aging 2021 Release

Chichibu 2012 Ex Hanyu Cask

Chichibu The Peated 2012

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Ten Of Spades Card American Oak Puncheon Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Joker Card Color Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu The First Ten 10 Year Old Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Chichibu 9 Year Old Matsuri Festival 2020 Single Cask Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Ace Of Spades Card 1St Edition Sherry Butt Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Chibidaru Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Specially Selected By La Maison Du Whisky Hannya Mask Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Port Pipe Single Cask 1825 Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Six Of Diamonds Card Bourbon Wood Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Six Of Spades Card Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Chichibu For Whisky Exchange 20Th Anniversary Refill Hogshead Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Six Of Clubs Card Cream Sherry Butt Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Mwr Mizunara Wood Reserve Pure Malt Whisky

Ichiros Hanyu Eight Of Diamonds Card Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Ichiros Malt Chichibu 7Even Gods Of Fortune 4Th Edition Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Queen Of Hearts Card 1St Edition French Oak Cognac Wood Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Single Cask 708 Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Wine Wood Reserve Pure Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Paris Edition Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Single Cask 2134 Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Munich Release Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Lmdw 65Th Anniversary Water By Nakajima Hiroyuki Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Chichibu Taiwan Edition Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Red Wine Cask Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Two Of Clubs Card Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Berlin Release Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Floor Malted Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Joker Card Monochrome Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu King Of Clubs Card Cognac Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Tokyo International Bar Show Edition Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Hanyu King Of Diamonds Card 2Nd Edition American Oak Sherry Wood Finish Single

Chichibu Intergalactic Series Edition 2 Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Jack Of Clubs Card 1St Edition Mizunara Puncheon Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Grain 111 Proof World Blended Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Ace Of Hearts Card American Oak Sherry Butt Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Peninsula Tokyo Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Queen Of Spades Card Port Pipe Finish Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Japan Warrior Series Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Peated Single Malt Whisky

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Ten Of Clubs Card Pedro Ximinez Sherry Butt Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Grain Chichibu Blended Whisky

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Double Distilleries Silent Hanyu

Ichiros Malt Hanyu Seven Of Clubs Card American Oak Hogshead Finish Single Malt

Ichiros Malt Chichibu Sweden Exclusive Cask No 1700

Chichibu 2012 #1691 Spirits Shop Selection

Chichibu 2014-2022 Single Cask #3342

Chichibu 2017 Festival Scotch Blend 100ml Scotch Blend Malt 100ml Japanese Blend 100ml Set

Chichibu Cask #2925 Taipei Whisky Live Bar Show 2021

Chichibu Distillery Golden Horse 12 Year Old Single Malt

Chichibu Kiyosato Field Ballet 32nd Anniversary

Chichibu Whisky Festival 2023 Cask #11691

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt - The Final Vintage of Hanyu 10 Year Old

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt - Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2015

Hanyu/Kawasaki 25 Year Old for Kiyosato Field Ballet 26th Anniversary

Ichiro's Choice "Secret Islay" Single Cask Single Malt Whisky 2023

Ichiro's Malt & Grain - Exclusively Bottled for Liquorland Kimura

Ichiro's Malt & Grain 505 Silver Label

Ichiro's Malt & Grain Classical Edition

Ichiro's Malt & Grain Hankyu Department Store 2023

Ichiro's Malt & Grain Three Rivers Refill Bourbon Barrel #10702

Ichiro's Malt & Grain White Wine Cask Bar Show 2019

Ichiro's Malt 'The Game' Single Cask #1370 Madeira Hogshead

Ichiro's Malt - 15 Year Old Single Malt 14

Ichiro's Malt - Chichibu Exclusively Bottled for Fifty Two Seats of Happiness

Ichiro's Malt - Chichibu Leaf Set (5btls)