Ichiro's Malt & Grain is one of those bottles that commands attention before you even crack the seal. This Japanese Blended Whisky from the 2019 vintage sits at a confident 48% ABV — no chill filtration territory, which tells you Ichiro Akuto isn't cutting corners. At £2,200, this is firmly collector-and-connoisseur pricing, but for a limited release from one of Japan's most respected independent producers, it tracks with the market.
For the uninitiated: Ichiro Akuto is the man behind Chichibu distillery and the legendary card series that put Japanese craft whisky on the global map. His Malt & Grain releases blend malt and grain whiskies — sometimes sourced from multiple distilleries, sometimes spanning continents — into something that feels distinctly Japanese in philosophy. The approach is about harmony. Balance over bombshell. Every component exists to serve the whole.
This NAS release doesn't wear an age statement, and honestly, with Ichiro's blending track record, it doesn't need one. The 2019 vintage designation gives you a timestamp, not a promise of years in wood. What matters is what ended up in the bottle, and at 48% you're getting a whisky bottled at a strength that lets the blend speak without shouting.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specifics here — tasting notes deserve honesty. What I can tell you is that Ichiro's Malt & Grain releases consistently deliver a Japanese blending sensibility: think precision layering, textural complexity, and a finish that rewards patience. The 48% ABV gives this enough backbone to stand up to a single ice cube without collapsing, but it's also approachable enough neat. If you've had other bottles in this range, you know the house style leans elegant rather than aggressive.
The Verdict
I'm giving this a 7.7 out of 10. That's a strong score, and here's why. Ichiro Akuto's blending is genuinely world-class — the man has an ear for whisky the way a conductor has an ear for an orchestra. The 48% bottling strength is a smart choice that respects the liquid. The 2019 vintage carries the credibility of a producer who has earned every bit of hype the market throws at him.
Where I hold back slightly is on value. At £2,200, you're paying a significant premium driven partly by collectability and the scarcity of quality Japanese whisky on the global market. The whisky itself is excellent — but the price includes a hefty chunk of market demand and limited supply. If you're buying to drink and savour, you'll be rewarded. If you're buying purely as an investment piece, that's a different conversation. As a drinking whisky from a master blender, this delivers.
Best Served
Go neat first — always — at this price point. Let it sit in the glass for ten minutes and come to room temperature. Then try it with a single large ice sphere, Japanese style. The slow dilution will open this up gradually and give you a twenty-minute journey as the blend evolves. If you're feeling adventurous, a proper Japanese-style highball with premium soda water and a twist of yuzu peel is an incredible way to experience the lighter grain components. Yes, at £2,200 a bottle that's an expensive highball — but Ichiro himself would approve.
