Chichibu has, in a remarkably short span, become one of the most sought-after names in world whisky. The London Edition 2023 is a limited release from this Japanese single malt producer — a bottling selected specifically for the UK market, presented at a muscular 51.5% ABV with no age statement. At £360, it sits firmly in collector territory, but having spent time with this dram, I can tell you it earns its place at the table.
What strikes you first about any Chichibu release is the sheer ambition packed into every bottle. This is a distillery that operates on a tiny scale compared to the Scottish giants I usually write about, yet consistently produces whisky that punches well above its weight class. The London Edition 2023 is no exception. It carries the hallmarks of a carefully curated single malt — the kind of bottling where every cask has been chosen with intention rather than blended for volume.
At 51.5%, this is bottled at what I would consider an ideal strength for a whisky of this calibre. It is robust enough to stand up to a few drops of water without falling apart, yet not so fierce that the spirit overshadows the maturation character. The NAS designation is worth noting — Chichibu's relatively young distillate has never been a weakness. The distillery's use of smaller casks and careful wood management means their spirit develops complexity faster than you might expect from a operation founded in 2008.
Tasting Notes
I have not published formal tasting notes for this bottling at this time. What I will say is that the London Edition releases have historically showcased Chichibu's ability to balance rich, fruit-forward character with a structured, malty backbone. At this strength, expect the whisky to open up considerably with a small addition of water, revealing layers that reward patience. This is not a whisky to rush.
The Verdict
The Chichibu London Edition 2023 is a serious whisky at a serious price point. There is no getting around the £360 ask — this is a commitment. But within the context of what Chichibu bottles trade for on the secondary market, and the quality that this distillery has demonstrated time and again, I consider it fairly positioned. You are paying for scarcity, certainly, but also for genuine craft. This is a single malt produced by a distillery that has nothing to hide behind — no centuries of legacy branding, no vast warehouse stocks to smooth over inconsistencies. Every bottle lives or dies on what is in the glass, and in my experience, Chichibu delivers.
I am giving this an 8 out of 10. It is an impressive Japanese single malt that justifies its premium through quality of spirit and careful cask selection. The only reason it does not score higher is that at this price, I hold it to an exceptionally high standard — and without confirmed distillery provenance details, I have to judge purely on what is in front of me. What is in front of me is very good indeed.
Best Served
Pour it neat in a Glencairn and give it five minutes to breathe. Then add four or five drops of still water at room temperature — at 51.5%, this whisky genuinely benefits from a little dilution. The water will unlock complexity without diminishing the structure. If you are feeling adventurous, a Japanese-style Highball with premium soda water and a single ice spear would be a worthy alternative, though I would suggest trying it neat first to appreciate what you have paid for.
