Kiuchi Brewery Releases Limited Edition “Signature 1823,” a New Whiskey Celebrating an Award
Kiuchi Brewery, which includes the Nukada Brewery, announced a limited product on Instagram as “NEW WHISKY.” The limited-run bottle of Hinomaru Whisky “Signature 1823 SMALL BATCH LIMITED EDITION” commemorates a win at a global competition and has been rolling out gradually since mid-February.
Hop BroBreaking news from Kiuchi Brewery’s Nukada Brewery! They’ve released the limited-edition “Hinomaru Whisky Signature 1823 SMALL BATCH LIMITED EDITION.”
MugiWhat! Whiskey, not beer? That works in a craft beer article!?
Hop BroIt does work. Kiuchi Brewery is famous for Hitachino Nest Beer, right? They’re also applying that fermentation and aging know-how to Japanese whisky at the Yaso Distillery.
MugiOh wow! So what’s the “style” here? Like an IPA in beer terms!
Hop BroThe style is a small-batch limited edition of Japanese whisky. It’s a blend of malt spirit aged in bourbon casks, rum casks, and sherry casks, at 48% ABV in a 700ml bottle.
MugiThat’s a whole barrel load of information! Does “small batch” mean a small-scale production run?
Hop BroExactly. They combine carefully selected spirits in small lots, so the character really comes through. This one is a special release too: limited quantity, award commemorative, and priced at 11,000 yen with a wooden box.
MugiWith a wooden box!? It suddenly went into gift mode! And since it’s commemorating an award, which one is it?
Hop BroAt The San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2025, the original “Signature 1823” won the top prize in the Japanese whisky category. The release date was February 12, 2026, and it has been rolling out gradually since mid-February.
MugiI want to drink that! As a beer fan, it feels like a bottle that lets you taste Kiuchi Brewery’s brewing today. Let’s practice our toast for tonight!
Kiuchi Brewery (Ibaraki) announced a new whiskey in an Instagram post at 17:28 on February 16, 2026. The post introduced “Hinomaru Whisky Signature 1823 SMALL BATCH LIMITED EDITION.”
Key Points
- At the 2025 “The San Francisco World Spirits Competition,” the company’s “Signature 1823” won the top award in the Japanese whisky category
- As a celebration of that award, a small-batch version made with carefully selected spirits is being released in limited quantities
- Malt spirit distilled at the Yaso Distillery is blended with spirits aged in bourbon casks, rum casks, and sherry casks
Product Overview (Based on the Official Announcement)
- Product name: Hinomaru Whisky Signature 1823 SMALL BATCH LIMITED EDITION
- Volume: 700ml
- Alcohol content: 48%
- Suggested retail price: 11,000 yen (tax included, with wooden box)
- Release date: February 12, 2026 (limited quantity)
- Sales: Kiuchi Brewery directly operated stores, Kiuchi Brewery online shop, liquor retailers
Background Craft Beer Fans Should Note
Kiuchi Brewery was founded in 1823. It began producing Hitachino Nest Beer in 1996 and has built a strong presence at home and abroad in the craft beer scene. In addition, it began making Japanese whisky in 2016 and established the Yaso Distillery in 2020. The way it extends the fermentation and aging knowledge developed through beer into distilled spirits is also something beer lovers should not miss.
For readers who have followed Kiuchi Brewery’s craftsmanship, including the Nukada Brewery, this limited edition is worth noting not only as an award commemorative release, but also as a bottle that captures where the company’s brewing and distilling stand today.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBreaking news from Kiuchi Brewery’s Nukada Brewery! They’ve released the limited-edition “Hinomaru Whisky Signature 1823 SMALL BATCH LIMITED EDITION.”
MugiWhat! Whiskey, not beer? That works in a craft beer article!?
Hop BroIt does work. Kiuchi Brewery is famous for Hitachino Nest Beer, right? They’re also applying that fermentation and aging know-how to Japanese whisky at the Yaso Distillery.
MugiOh wow! So what’s the “style” here? Like an IPA in beer terms!
Hop BroThe style is a small-batch limited edition of Japanese whisky. It’s a blend of malt spirit aged in bourbon casks, rum casks, and sherry casks, at 48% ABV in a 700ml bottle.
MugiThat’s a whole barrel load of information! Does “small batch” mean a small-scale production run?
Hop BroExactly. They combine carefully selected spirits in small lots, so the character really comes through. This one is a special release too: limited quantity, award commemorative, and priced at 11,000 yen with a wooden box.
MugiWith a wooden box!? It suddenly went into gift mode! And since it’s commemorating an award, which one is it?
Hop BroAt The San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2025, the original “Signature 1823” won the top prize in the Japanese whisky category. The release date was February 12, 2026, and it has been rolling out gradually since mid-February.
MugiI want to drink that! As a beer fan, it feels like a bottle that lets you taste Kiuchi Brewery’s brewing today. Let’s practice our toast for tonight!
