Suntory The Chita Single Grain

What it is

A single grain whisky from Chita, Suntory's grain distillery in Aichi Prefecture. Bottled at 43% with no age statement. Chita has been running since 1972, mostly supplying the backbone for Hibiki and the rest of Suntory's blends, and only started appearing as a standalone bottling relatively recently.

Where it comes from

Suntory confirms that The Chita Single Grain meets the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association labelling standard, and separately states that every exported Suntory whisky is 100% distilled, matured and bottled in Japan. No imported whisky. Single grain means it all comes from Chita.

How it's made

Chita is a large continuous still operation, running multiple column still configurations to produce light, medium and heavy grain whiskies from corn. Those styles are then combined, which is what stops it being the thin, characterless spirit grain whisky is often assumed to be. Maturation runs across wine casks, sherry casks and American white oak. Suntory describes the result as a clean grain whisky designed for the highball, which is also exactly what it does inside a Hibiki.

What to expect

Light and sweet, with honey, vanilla, crème brûlée and a little orange peel, finishing clean and short. There's a faint spice at the end. It's delicate rather than complex, and it's superb with soda, which is how most of Japan drinks it.

How it compares

Against Nikka Coffey Grain, the other well known Japanese grain whisky, Coffey Grain is fuller, sweeter and creamier while Chita is lighter and cleaner. Both are standard compliant, so it's a straight comparison on style. Against Fuji Single Grain from Kirin, Fuji has more body and structure. Against Hibiki Japanese Harmony, drinking Chita on its own is the best way to understand what the grain is contributing to the blend.