There are few names in modern whisky that command quite the reverence of Chichibu. Ichiro Akuto's small-scale distillery in Saitama Prefecture has, in barely two decades, established itself as one of the most sought-after producers in the world — and with good reason. The On the Way / Bot.2024 is the latest in a series of limited releases that track the distillery's evolution, and at 54.5% ABV, it arrives with the kind of cask strength conviction that serious drinkers have come to expect from this house.
What makes Chichibu remarkable is not mystery but transparency of intent. The "On the Way" series has always been about marking a journey — each bottling a snapshot of where the distillery stands at a given moment. This 2024 bottling is a non-age-statement Japanese single malt, which in Chichibu's case is less an evasion of youth than a statement of blending philosophy. Akuto and his team work with an exceptionally small output, and every cask matters. The result is whisky that punches well above what its relatively young distillery age might suggest.
At 54.5%, this is not a whisky that hides behind dilution. It is bottled at a strength that preserves the full character of the spirit and the wood, and that alone sets it apart from the majority of Japanese single malts on the market, many of which arrive at a polite 43% with edges carefully smoothed away. Here, you get the whole picture.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes where my records don't have them pinned down — what I will say is that Chichibu's house style tends towards a particular richness and texture that belies the distillery's size. Expect the hallmarks of quality Japanese single malt at cask strength: a spirit that is both precise and generous, with the kind of depth that rewards patience in the glass. At this ABV, a few drops of water will open things up considerably, and I'd encourage you to take your time with it.
The Verdict
At £275, the On the Way / Bot.2024 sits in the upper reaches of what most drinkers would consider for a non-age-statement whisky. But this is Chichibu, and the rules are different here. Demand vastly outstrips supply, secondary market prices routinely double or triple retail, and each bottling in this series has proven itself a worthwhile investment — both financially and in terms of sheer drinking pleasure. I'm giving this an 8.3 out of 10. It is a confident, cask-strength Japanese single malt from one of the world's most exciting distilleries, and at retail price, it represents genuinely good value for what you're getting. The score reflects both the quality of the liquid and the integrity of the project behind it. If you find a bottle at this price, do not hesitate.
Best Served
Neat, in a tulip-shaped glass, with plenty of time to breathe. Give it ten minutes before your first sip. Then add a few drops of still water — no more — and watch it evolve. At 54.5%, that small addition of water is not optional; it's essential to unlocking what's really going on. A Japanese-style Highball would be a waste of a bottle at this level. This one deserves your full attention.
