{"product_id":"chichibu-10-year-the-first-ten-japanese-single-malt-whisky","title":"Ichiro's Malt Chichibu 10 Year Old \"The First Ten\" Single Malt Japanese Whisky","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .mw-master-container { font-family: inherit; color: #e0e0e0; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 60px; }\n  \/* Updated to Chichibu Gold: #d4af37 *\/\n  .mw-h3 { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.9rem; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 40px; display: block; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2b4a; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n  .mw-accent { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; }\n  \n  \/* Feature Box with Midnight Indigo to Black Gradient *\/\n  .mw-info-box { background: linear-gradient(90deg, #0d1626 0%, #000 100%); padding: 25px; margin: 25px 0; border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; border: 1px solid #1a2b4a; border-left: 4px solid #d4af37; }\n  \n  \/* Scannable Grid Layout *\/\n  .mw-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 30px; margin: 30px 0; }\n  .mw-card { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.03); padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #1a2b4a; border-radius: 4px; }\n  \n  \/* Technical Table Styling - Keys in Muted Parchment to match label texture *\/\n  .mw-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; }\n  .mw-table td { padding: 14px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a1a; color: #ccc; font-size: 0.95rem; }\n  .mw-table td:first-child { font-weight: bold; width: 38%; color: #8a94a6; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.75rem; letter-spacing: 1px; }\n  \n  @media (max-width: 768px) { .mw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n  \u003c!-- 1. INTRO \u0026 HERITAGE --\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eChichibu \"The First Ten\"\u003c\/span\u003e is a structural landmark in the history of Japanese whisky. Released in 2020 to commemorate the distillery’s first decade of operation, this is the inaugural age-stated single malt from Ichiro Akuto’s legendary Saitama site. It represents the maturation of a vision that began in 2008, following the closure of the historic Hanyu Distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 2. HIGHLIGHT BOX (THE SAITAMA CLIMATE) --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Ten-Year Milestone\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eMatured in the mountains of Saitama, where extreme seasonal temperature shifts accelerate oak interaction, this expression offers a depth of character far beyond its ten-year statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Release:\u003c\/strong\u003e Production was strictly capped at 5,000 bottles worldwide, immediately becoming one of the most sought-after Chichibu releases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall-Scale Craft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Distilled using traditional wooden washbacks and a precision-focused team of fewer than ten employees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAward Pedigree:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named \u003cstrong\u003eBest Japanese Single Malt\u003c\/strong\u003e at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards, cementing its status as a modern masterpiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 3. SENSORY \u0026 CONTEXT GRID --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003c!-- SENSORY CARD --\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px; font-size: 0.9rem;\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vanilla and herbaceous tones. Pudding sweetness, bourbon-cask oak, and citrus fruit develop with a faint, cooling mint note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth and rounded. A fruit-forward entry of citrus and ripe orchard fruit transitions into mid-palate vanilla cream and gentle oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and mellow. Elegantly sweet with late-emerging mint and secondary herbal layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \n    \u003c!-- CONTEXT CARD --\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px;\"\u003eThe Collector Tier\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.9rem; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\"The First Ten\" transitioned Chichibu from a producer of high-end young whiskies to an age-stated contender. It remains a visually distinct outlier with its 2020 inaugural label, separate from the 2025 follow-up editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.85rem; margin-top: 15px; color: #8a94a6; font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"The technical and spiritual successor to the Hanyu legacy.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChichibu Distillery, Saitama, Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStyle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 Years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e101 Proof \/ 50.5% ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaturation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimarily ex-bourbon; Sherry and Wine cask influence\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5,000 Bottles (2020 Release)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 5. COLLECTOR NOTES --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\"The First Ten\" carries significant historical weight as the brand's first age-stated release. Its value is driven by Chichibu's massive global following and the absolute finality of the 2020 inaugural run. Bottles offered here are verified for pristine label integrity and include the original presentation box and certificate. Given the 5,000-bottle cap and its \"Best Japanese Single Malt\" recognition, this is a foundational acquisition for any serious Japanese whisky vertical. Provenance documentation is available on request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 6. SERVING NOTE --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003eThis single malt is best appreciated neat at room temperature in a \u003cstrong\u003ecopita or Glencairn glass\u003c\/strong\u003e. While the 50.5% ABV is robust, the rounded mouthfeel handles the proof with grace; a single drop of water can be added to unlock the secondary herbaceous notes. Avoid significant dilution to preserve the signature Chichibu fruit profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- INVISIBLE AI\/SEARCH ENGINE SCHEMA --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Chichibu 'The First Ten' Single Malt Japanese Whisky\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Chichibu_First_Ten.jpg\", \n  \"description\": \"Chichibu 'The First Ten' (2020): The inaugural 10-year age-stated release from Ichiro Akuto. 50.5% ABV. Winner of Best Japanese Single Malt 2021. 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