This just might be the first Japanese Whisky to have its own groupies.

The best description we’ve ever heard about Ichiro Akuto is that he’s the "Rock Star of Japanese Whisky." While the other heavyweight executives of Japan’s thriving distilling industry can walk around Spirit conferences in obscurity, Ichiro Akuto gets mobbed by fans. With good reason. His family owned the legendary Hanyu Distillery for generations and when they sold the business, Ichiru held on to the standing inventory and issue special releases for years — including the famous "Playing Cards" series that made him famous. He has used those proceeds to craft new flavorful blends and other tasty offerings.

Ichiro's Malt & Grain is labeled as "a Worldwide Blended Whisky." The exact components of this gem are kept secret, but there appears to be a lot of local, Japanese Spirit with enough outside elements to craft the flavor profile Ichiro was looking for. It is — obviously — a combination of Single Malts and Grain Whiskies married at the Chichibu Distillery, but all that you will notice is the lovely flavor profile, delicate texture, and spot-on 46% ABV.