In 2007, Ichiro Akuto, the grandson of the founder of the Hanye Distillery, started a new chapter in Japan’s whisky history by building Chichibu Distillery. Situated in Saitama prefecture around 79km northwest of Tokyo, production began in February 2008. Equipment includes a small mill, a mash tun, washbacks made of Japanese Oak, and a pair of small copper pot stills manufactured by Forsyths of Scotland. Several different cask types are used including bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and hogsheads, all matured in the unique nature of Chichibu.