Speciality Brands is expanding its portfolio with four new expressions from Japanese whisky producer Chichibu this autumn. The releases will be available to whisky drinkers across the UK from 1 October 2026.
The line-up comprises Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Distillery II Hint of Sherry, Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Double Distilleries, Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The Peated 2026 and Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The London Edition 2026.
Chichibu Distillery II Hint of Sherry is the second release from the Chichibu II Distillery, which opened in 2019. Aged for five to six years, it is matured in a combination of sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels, with a touch of peated malt in the recipe.
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According to the official notes from the brand, the whisky offers peat smoke, dark chocolate, raisins and candied citrus, followed by vanilla, honey, baking spice, and a finish of sweet smoke and lapsang souchong.
The Peated 2026 is the first standalone release of Chichibu’s heavily peated single malt since 2022. It is crafted from malt peated to 50 PPM during the distillery’s annual month-long peated production run.
Double Distilleries brings together single malts from Chichibu I and Chichibu II distilleries for the first time. The blend combines the fruit-forward character of the original distillery with the fuller-bodied style of its successor.
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READ THE STORYThe London Edition 2026 is the ninth edition of the series, created exclusively for the UK. This year’s release is a marriage of 16 casks of Japanese single malt distilled at Chichibu I, including two wine casks sourced from New Zealand and California.
The bottle’s label is the third and final instalment of the ‘Warrior Series’, designed by Elixir Distillers’ Creative Director Raj Chavda. It features a textured, glow-in-the-dark finish.
"The London Edition series is inspired by Musha-e: The Warriors of Ukiyo-e, a world where fact and fiction, truth and fable intertwine," said Chavda. "This interpretation depicts a noble warrior confronting a serpent, or ‘Hebi’, a powerful symbol that represents protection, wisdom, good fortune, transformation and rebirth."
Chichibu was founded by Ichiro Akuto, whose family has distilling roots dating back to 1625.
The whiskies range in price from $148 (£110) to $284 (£211). All four will be available at selected trade partners, and at The Whisky Show 2026 (2–4 October, Old Billingsgate, London) on stand 25.
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