While Ichiro Akuto's family history in brewing and distilling stretches back to the 1600s, his own journey in the world of Japanese whisky began with the rescue of Hanyu Distillery's equipment and maturing stocks in 2000. From there, he established Chichibu distillery, known for its rarity and quality. With attention to detail and experimentation, Chichibu produces unpeated and peated whiskies using various casks, including Mizunara oak. The distillery's small size allows for flexibility and unique expressions.