Chita distillery

Introduction to Chita

A distillery dedicated to grain whisky excellence

Chita is a Japanese grain whisky distillery owned by Suntory, located on the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. While less known to the public than its sister distilleries Yamazaki and Hakushu, Chita plays a crucial role in Suntory’s whisky portfolio as their primary grain whisky production facility. The distillery contributes essential components to many of Suntory’s acclaimed blended whiskies while also producing remarkable single grain expressions in its own right.

With its coastal location, Chita benefits from the unique maritime climate that influences the maturation of its whiskies, creating a distinctive character that sets it apart from other grain whisky producers worldwide.

Why we appreciate Chita

At Vault of Spirits, we value Chita for its dedication to elevating grain whisky beyond a mere blending component to a sophisticated spirit worthy of appreciation on its own merits. We’re drawn to Chita’s remarkable ability to produce grain whisky with exceptional smoothness and complexity, challenging preconceptions about what grain whisky can achieve.

Their meticulous approach to distillation and aging, combined with Japanese precision and attention to detail, results in whiskies that demonstrate remarkable balance, elegance, and subtle complexity – qualities that make them stand out in the whisky world.

The History Behind Chita

Origin and development

The Chita Distillery was established in 1972 as part of Suntory’s strategic vision to secure a consistent supply of high-quality grain whisky for their blended products. Located in an industrial area on the Chita Peninsula, the distillery was purposefully built to focus exclusively on grain whisky production.

For decades, Chita operated quietly in the background, with its output primarily destined for Suntory’s renowned blends such as Hibiki, Kakubin, and Royal. It wasn’t until 2015 that Suntory finally released The Chita Single Grain Whisky, officially introducing the distillery’s own expression to the global market.

The people behind

Chita operates under the leadership of Suntory’s master blenders and distillers, including figures like Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, who oversee the production across all Suntory facilities. The team at Chita combines technical expertise with an unwavering commitment to quality, ensuring that every drop of spirit meets Suntory’s exacting standards.

The distillery’s personnel exemplify the Japanese dedication to craftsmanship, continuously refining their techniques while honoring traditional methods that have proven successful over time.

Craftsmanship and Production

From raw materials to finished product

Chita specializes in continuous distillation using column stills, a method perfectly suited for grain whisky production. The distillery primarily uses corn as its base grain, supplemented with other cereals to create different flavor profiles.

What sets Chita apart is its utilization of multiple column still configurations, allowing for precise control over the final spirit’s character. This technical versatility enables them to produce various styles of grain whisky with different flavor profiles and characteristics, ranging from light and delicate to more robust expressions.

Maturation and aging

The whiskies from Chita mature in a variety of cask types, including American white oak, Spanish oak, and wine casks. The distillery’s coastal location creates a unique maturation environment, with maritime air influencing the aging process and contributing subtle saline notes to the whisky.

Suntory’s philosophy of “Monozukuri” – the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship – is evident in Chita’s aging process, where time and patience are considered essential ingredients. The warehouse management team meticulously monitors cask development, ensuring that each barrel reaches its optimal maturation point.

Selected Products from Chita

The Chita Single Grain Whisky – The essence of elegance

This flagship release is the perfect introduction to Chita’s distinctive style. With notes of vanilla, honey, mint, and subtle citrus, it offers remarkable smoothness and a clean, crisp character. Its silky texture and gentle complexity make it accessible for newcomers while offering enough depth to satisfy experienced whisky enthusiasts.

The whisky showcases the potential of grain spirit when produced with exceptional care and attention, challenging preconceptions about single grain whiskies.

Chita Distillery Reserve – A deeper expression

This distillery-exclusive bottling offers a more complex interpretation of Chita’s character. With extended aging and careful cask selection, it presents richer notes of butterscotch, coconut, white chocolate, and spiced oak. The creamy mouthfeel and lingering sweet finish make this a sought-after expression for collectors and connoisseurs.

Visiting the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Unlike Suntory’s other distilleries, Chita is primarily an industrial facility and is not regularly open to the public for tours. Occasional special events may provide rare opportunities to visit, but these are limited.

Those interested in experiencing Suntory’s whisky-making heritage are typically directed to the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, which offer comprehensive visitor experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chita?

Chita is a grain whisky distillery owned by Suntory, located on the Chita Peninsula in Japan. It specializes in producing high-quality grain whisky using continuous distillation methods with column stills. While much of its production goes into Suntory’s blended whiskies, it also releases its own single grain expressions that showcase the sophistication and craftsmanship possible with grain whisky.

Where is Chita located?

The Chita Distillery is situated on the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Its coastal location provides a unique maritime climate that influences the maturation of the whisky, contributing to its distinctive character.

What characterizes Chita whisky?

Chita whiskies are known for their remarkable smoothness, clean character, and subtle complexity. They typically exhibit sweet, floral notes with hints of vanilla, honey, and citrus, balanced by a gentle spiciness. The distillery’s precise distillation methods and careful maturation process result in a refined, elegant spirit that showcases the sophisticated potential of grain whisky.

Where can I buy whisky from Chita?

You can find selected bottlings from Chita at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate our selection to offer both the core expressions and special releases when available, providing you access to these exceptional Japanese grain whiskies. The Chita Single Grain Whisky represents an excellent entry point into the world of premium Japanese grain whisky.