Chichibu : Paris Foundations 2024 Edition

Tasting Notes and Recommendations for the Paris Foundations 2024 Edition from Chichibu

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a bright, luminous gold hue.

Nose

The nose reveals a light peatiness accompanied by fresh citrus, menthol, and vanilla. Exotic fruits such as banana and pineapple mingle with herbal infusions of verbena and bay leaf.

Palate

On the palate, vegetal notes of hay and dried grass come through, enhanced by pepper and damp earth. Toasted bread sits alongside dried fruits such as chestnut and date. The finish is long, unfolding coconut milk, candied pear, rosemary, and spices such as cardamom, clove, and fresh ginger.

Other characteristics

This Japanese single malt displays a moderately peated profile, offering a bold personality defined by its elegance and aromatic freshness. The subtle, finely balanced peat enhances the remarkable complexity of this whisky bottled at 50.5%.

A moderately peated craft Japanese whisky from Chichibu Distillery

Chichibu: one of the leading names in craft Japanese whisky

Founded in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto, who still runs it, the Chichibu distillery is located in Saitama Prefecture, at the foot of the Okuchichibu Mountains, and benefits from an exceptional terroir at an altitude of 660 meters. Its hallmark lies in its limited production and artisanal approach, favoring aging in a variety of casks – bourbon, quarter casks, and wine casks. Chichibu stands out for its refined limited editions, such as the Paris Foundations 2024 Edition, and its use of traditional washi paper for its labels, reflecting a deep respect for Japanese traditions.

Paris Foundations 2024 Edition: a limited release celebrating the ties between Paris and Tokyo

The Paris Foundations 2024 Edition is an annual release renewed since 2018 by Chichibu distillery. This 2024 edition pays tribute to the architectural ties between Paris and Tokyo through unique packaging. This Japanese single malt Japanese whisky comes from a meticulous vatting of 12 ex-bourbon casks, two quarter casks (chibidaru), and one cask that previously held red wine. The whole benefited from 6 to 7 years of maturation before being bottled at 50.5%.

The bottle stands out with six different labels printed on washi paper, the traditional Japanese paper. Each label features paired landmarks: the Eiffel Tower and Tokyo Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Meiji Jingu Gate, Notre-Dame and the Kōkyo Imperial Palace. The labels are randomly assigned to bottles, adding a collectible dimension to this limited edition, highly prized by enthusiasts.