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The two new products, “Single Malt Yoichi Aromatic Yeast” and “Single Malt Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast,” will be released in 2024. 90th Anniversary of NIKKA’s Founding The new products will be launched in 2021, and will focus on the depth of Nikka Whisky’s diverse range of whiskies and the history of the different types of whiskies created by raw materials, fermentation, and other production processes. Second product in the “NIKKA DISCOVERY Series” The new project will be launched in 2021. Developed as a series to “discover” the diversity, depth and unexpectedness of whisky.
This new product focuses on the “distinctive aroma created by the different yeasts used in the fermentation process.” This is a limited edition product that brings out the hidden and unexpected character of “Single Malt Yoichi” and “Single Malt Miyagikyo” by adding a new aroma created by the yeast, while maintaining the unique charm of the single malt.
The product will be marketed mainly for commercial use. Overseas sales are also planned, mainly in Europe.
The label uses colors that reflect the aroma of each flavor, with a gradual color gradation to express the aromatic image of the product.
The product will go on sale on September 27, 2022, for 22,000 yen including tax. Sales volume is 10,000 units in Japan and 10,000 units overseas, respectively.
Fruity aroma from the peat and yeast characteristic of Yoichi
This single malt whisky has a strong, thick flavor from direct coal-fired distillation, a characteristic of Yoichi malt, and a fruity aroma of apples and bananas, with a hint of pear, reminiscent of ginjo. The fresh fruitiness and malt sweetness are firmly rooted in the richness of the peat, and the pleasantly sweet aroma and marmalade-like bitter-sweet aftertaste are pleasantly persistent.
The wide variety of aromas produced by the yeast during the fermentation process become the character of the many different types of sake.
Among them, the original sake with a floral aroma reminiscent of ginjo aroma stimulated the blender’s creativity. Furthermore, they also focused on sake made with a yeast that produces an overflowing fruity aroma, and searched for a point of fusion with the peaty aroma typical of Yoichi.
After a process of trial and error, a rare original whisky that has been aged for more than 30 years in active casks was added to unite the fresh aroma and the heavy aroma, and a harmony as a whisky was reached.
The result is a fusion of Yoichi’s original robust character and a floral, fruity flavor reminiscent of ginjo aroma. The answer to this challenging task has finally been found.
Prior to the Discovery Series, the limited editions have changed their character by “different cask types used in the wood finish,” such as the 2017 Moscato Wood Finish, the 2018 Manzanilla Wood Finish, and the 2020 Apple Brandy Wood Finish.
The Discovery Series does not do finishes, and in this second release, the whisky brings out the hidden and unexpected character of single malt Miyagikyo while taking advantage of its appeal by “different yeast”.
Aroma | Fresh fruits like banana and orange, smoky |
Taste | Bitter chocolate, brown sugar, smoked bacon |
Aftertaste | Malt richness and sweet bittersweet aftertaste |
Alcohol content | 48% (with a slight alcohol content) |
Alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | ー |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Domestic: 10,000 bottles Overseas: 10,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 22,000 yen including tax |
Release date | September 27, 2022 |
Our Take
One of the attractions of Yoichi Aromatic Yeast is that some of the component sake is aged for more than 30 years.
The aroma is sweetness first, as if it is aromatic yeast, followed by peat aroma slowly. The mellow aroma of Yoichi’s peat and yeast combined with a mellow aroma gives a gentle and stylish impression that is a complete change from the strong impression of Yoichi until now.
We invite you to compare it with Yoichi Non-Vintage and taste the difference.
Nikka Whisky is planning to celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2024, and the third Discovery Series is scheduled to be released in 2023. We are looking forward to seeing what kind of DISCOVERY they will show us next time.
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The two new products, “Single Malt Yoichi Aromatic Yeast” and “Single Malt Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast,” will be released in 2024. 90th Anniversary of NIKKA’s Founding The new products will be launched in 2021, and will focus on the depth of Nikka Whisky’s diverse range of whiskies and the history of the different types of whiskies created by raw materials, fermentation, and other production processes. Second product in the “NIKKA DISCOVERY Series” The new project will be launched in 2021. Developed as a series to “discover” the diversity, depth and unexpectedness of whisky.
This new product focuses on the “distinctive aroma produced by the different yeasts used in the fermentation process.” This is a limited edition product that brings out the hidden and unexpected character of “Single Malt Yoichi” and “Single Malt Miyagikyo” by adding a new aroma created by the yeast, while maintaining the unique charm of the single malt.
The product will be marketed mainly for commercial use. Overseas sales are also planned, mainly in Europe.
The label uses colors that reflect the aroma of each flavor, with a gradual color gradation to express the aromatic image of the product.
The product will go on sale on September 27, 2022, for 22,000 yen including tax. Sales volume is 10,000 units in Japan and 10,000 units overseas, respectively.
The Bottle
A fusion of the elegant flamboyance of Miyagikyo malt and the new aroma created by the yeast.
This single malt whisky has a subtle overlay of ripe apricot-like aroma, while utilizing the elegant opulence that is characteristic of Miyagikyo malt. The rich fruity sweetness harmonizes with the richness of the malt, and the soft malt and moderate peat provide a pleasantly balanced cask aroma that lasts.
This yeast produces a sweet and seductive aroma, like that of apricots. The original wine that makes the most of its power will show its true value after a few decades of aging.
However, this character is very sensitive, and if it exceeds a certain point, it becomes difficult to balance it with the original gorgeousness of Miyagikyo.
On the other hand, if it falls below that point, the aroma itself will disappear without a trace.
Therefore, the blender uses used barrels that have been aged for a number of years and have acquired a mild oaky character to achieve harmony.
A small amount of heavy peat was added to the blend to give a subtle peatiness to the wine.
The sweet fruity aroma rises with the gorgeousness at the top, and after the richness of the thick malt, the fruity flavor comes back again.
The strong character created by the ingenuity of the fermentation process is delicately balanced with Miyagikyo’s character and asserts itself.
Prior to the Discovery Series, the limited editions have changed their character with “different cask types used in the wood finish,” such as the 2017 Moscato Wood Finish, the 2018 Manzanilla Wood Finish, and the 2020 Apple Brandy Wood Finish.
The Discovery Series does not do finishes, and in this second release, the whisky brings out the hidden and unexpected character of single malt Miyagikyo while taking advantage of its appeal by “different yeast”.
Aroma | Sweet aroma of muscat and banana with a slight woody note |
Taste | Fruity and juicy, full of milk |
Aftertaste | Continuing malt sweetness and woody aroma |
Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
Alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | ー |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Domestic: 10,000 bottles Overseas: 10,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 22,000 yen including tax |
Release date | September 27, 2022 |
Our Take
Miyagikyo itself has fruity and elegant characteristics, but both the aroma and taste are more juicy and fruity than non-vintage.
Compared to the non-vintage, the woodiness does not come out so much, but it only comes out a little after a while after pouring into a glass, but it is just right as it lasts long and jiggly.
The character of Miyagikyo and the aromatic yeast are well blended.
Please compare it with Miyagikyo Non-Vintage and taste the difference.
Nikka Whisky is planning to celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2024, and the third Discovery Series is scheduled to be released in 2023. We look forward to seeing what kind of DISCOVERY they will show us next time.
(All Images Courtesy of JPWhisky.net)
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The “MARSMALT Le Papillon” series expresses the splendor of Japan’s seasonal climate and natural environment, which forms the environment in which whisky is matured, using butterflies that live in Japan as a motif.
This is the thirteenth in the series, and the theme is the “C.brillantinus”, which inhabits deciduous broadleaf forests in mountainous areas where trees of the beech family grow mainly. The image is based on the beautiful golden-green wings of the zephyrs, which are known as the “jewels of the forest”.
This single cask whisky is a gem of a single cask whisky, bottled at natural cask strength and non-chill filtered from the original malt liquor distilled in March 2015 and bottled in July 2022 at the Mars Shinshu Distillery.
The Bottle
Made from the same barrels used to mature plum wine. Matured for 7 years Single cask of non-peated original
Distilled at Mars Shinshu Distillery in March 2015. Matured for 7 years in empty casks used to mature Umeshu (plum wine) and bottled in July 2022. This single cask whisky is bottled at natural cask strength and non-chill filtered.
Aroma | Sweet and sour aroma, plum, strawberry jam |
Taste | Mellow mouthfeel, maltiness, sweet and tart, creamy |
Aftertaste | Sourness stands out, then changes to pleasant savory and bitter aftertaste, which lasts for a long time. |
Alcohol content | 59% alcohol by volume |
Distillate | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Plum wine cask (American white oak) |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | 567 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 13,200 yen (tax included) |
Release date | September 2, 2022 |
Our Take
This Papillon series is a single malt whisky that is bottled in single and double casks, and the number of bottles sold each time is very small.
The resale price has also risen considerably, and the current bottle is currently being sold for more than 100,000 yen (Mercari, Yahoo! Auctions).
It has a taste that is hard to find in other whiskies.
The conclusion is that it is very tasty.
It has a mellow mouthfeel without feeling the 59% alcohol content. It is a non-peated whisky with no peculiarities, and you can fully enjoy the taste of plum wine barrel aging. It has a malty, sweet, sour, and astringent taste, all of which are well integrated. It is also delicious straight, but we prefer to enjoy it on the rocks like plum wine on the rocks.
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The distillery’s limited edition blended malt whisky Batch.1 has been on sale at the Saburomaru distillery’s directly managed store “Reiwagura” since August 5 (Fri.), 2022. It is sold exclusively at the storefront of Reiwa gura. Each customer can purchase up to two 500ml bottles.
Aroma | Herbal, milk, peaty |
Taste | Peachy sweet and sour, gentle peat |
Aftertaste | Mild peat followed by just the right amount of bitterness |
Alcohol content | 46% (with a slight alcohol content of 46%) |
alcohol category | Blended Malt Whisky |
Cask type | Cask type |
Volume | 500ml |
Number of bottles sold | No. of bottles |
Suggested retail price | 3,850 yen (including tax) |
Release date | August 5, 2022 |
Our Take
Most of the blended whiskies released by the Saburomaru distillery have been blends of the Saburomaru distillery’s malt whisky and foreign-produced grain whisky.
This time, the blended malt whisky is a blend of the Saburomaru distillery’s malt whisky and malt whisky from overseas. Although it is limited to the distillery, it seems that each person can purchase up to two bottles. The capacity is slightly smaller at 500 ml, but more people may purchase it.
Since this is Batch.1, when Batch.2 or Batch3 is released in the future, it will probably be blended with more carefully selected malt whisky. It will be interesting to see how the flavor changes in the future.
A single cask distilled in the cast pod still “ZEMON” was released on August 28 at the “Hokuriku Coca-Cola Summer Festival” and became a hot topic.
Furthermore, a single malt whisky is scheduled to be released within this year. Now the time has finally come.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of flavor it will have.
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Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho, the eighth in the Akkeshi Whisky “Twenty-Four Season Series,” has been released. Finally, one third of the release has been completed.
It has been three months since the last single malt whisky Seimei was released.
Part 1 | Single Malt Whiskey KANRO | Released on October 28, 2020 |
Second release | Blended Whiskey Amemizu | Launched on February 28, 2021 |
Third release | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Glauber | Launched on May 28, 2021 |
The fourth release | Blended Whisky Summer | To be released on August 25, 2021 |
5th release | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rissho-Winter | Launched on November 25, 2021 |
Sixth release | Blended Whisky Great Cold | Launched on February 25, 2022 |
Seventh release | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Seimei | Launched on May 30, 2022 |
Eighth release | Blended Whisky Great Heat | Launched on August 26, 2022 |
This Twenty-Four Season series will be released alternately as single malt and blended, and this time it will be released as blended.
The 24 Seasonal Seasons are the seasons of the year divided into 24 equal parts and given names, such as “Risshun” and “Geshi” which we often hear about.
The “Great Summer Heat” is the 12th day of the 24 solar terms, and the period from the summer solstice to Risshaku
around August 8, which is the hottest season in the year. During this period, many festivals and fireworks displays are held in various regions, and many summer events are held in the area.
The label design is indigo blue, which is reminiscent of yukata (summer kimono).
The Bottle
The key malt is “all Hokkaido’s original Mizunara oak barrels.
The key malt is all Mizunara oak from Hokkaido.
The flavor has a clear and distinct profile. The malts and grains of Akkeshi Malt and Grain are well harmonized and well put together.
The slightly smoky peat is like incense. It is characterized by a slightly strong and dry taste. With peat and sweetness, which are the characteristics of Akkeshi whiskey, as the core, citrus acidity such as grapefruit and orange, sweetness of honey and chocolate, and cookie-like savory taste continue, and then turn into spicy aftertaste such as white pepper.
Aroma | Incense, cookies, fresh fruits |
Taste | Dry impression to lactic acidic richness, honey, chocolate sweetness, nutmeg, saltiness |
Aftertaste | Spicy and sweet, with a hint of peat passing through the nose. |
Alcohol content | 48% (with a slight alcohol content of 48%) |
by alcohol | Blended Whiskey |
Cask type |
Quercus serrata casks, bourbon casks, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 10,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 13,200 yen (tax included) |
Release date | August 26, 2022 |
Our Take
The blends released so far have been “Rain Water”, “Dosetsu”, and “Daichan”.
The “Dosetsu” was awarded the world’s highest prize in the blended category at the “World Whisky Awards (WWA) 2022” and was a unique whisky reminiscent of a single malt.
This time, “Great Heat” has a more pronounced impression of quercus, with a lactic acidic richness, fruit acidity, bitter sweetness, and a lingering peaty finish.
It is released about every three months, so the next release will probably be around the end of November. We expect it to be either “frostfall” or “light snow,” but it will be fun to wait and see what the name of the next release will be.
If you want to know more about the Akkeshi Distillery, please check out BS Fuji’s Whiskipedia in December 2020, which had a special feature on the distillery.
The program is not only about the appeal of Akkeshi whisky, but also about the nature of Akkeshi-cho, the fishing industry centering on oyster fishing, and the marriage of whisky and oysters from Akkeshi.
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This is the second in the W series, consisting of the original spirit from the wood-fired direct distiller W, the successor to Shizuoka Distillery’s latest release, Prologue W, which was released in 2021. 100% foreign barley is used.
70% of the malt used was Scottish malt. Peated malt and is the first smoky type single malt for the Shizuoka distillery. The remaining 20% is made with non-pit malt from Scotland and 10% with malt for German beer (Pilsner), giving the beer a deeper and more expansive flavor.
We would like to compare it with Prologue W and Pot Still K, which is 100% Japanese barley.
This release is limited to a domestic sales quantity of 5,000 bottles. The suggested retail price is 9,845 yen (including tax), which seems much lower than Pot Still K, perhaps due to the difference in the barley used as ingredients.
The Bottle
This single malt whiskey is made from 100% foreign barley malt. It was created from a concept that contrasts with “Shizuoka Pot Still K Pure Japanese Barley First Edition,” which is made with 100% Japanese barley malt.
Currently, most Japanese whiskey made in Japan is made from 100% foreign barley. The fact that the product name “pure foreign barley” is a first in Japan is unprecedented.
This is a new challenge for Shizuoka Distillery, which makes whiskey while increasing the percentage of barley produced in Japan. We always indicate the origin of the barley and value the advantages of each barley to deliver a whisky rich in terroir.
Although we use foreign ingredients, our “Japanese whiskey” meets the standards for Japanese whiskey set by the Japan Western Whiskey Brewers Association. (The standards do not stipulate anything about the origin of the ingredients.)
70% of the malt used was Scottish peated malt, making this the first smoky single malt from the Shizuoka distillery. Peated malt is a malt fumigated by burning Scottish peat, which produces a whisky with a strong character and a distinctive smoky flavor.
The remaining 20% of the ingredients are non-pitted malt from Scotland and 10% are malt for beer (Pilsner) from Germany to create additional depth and breadth of flavor.
Reference: GAIAFLOW BLOG
Aroma | Honey, toast, and a mild peat aroma later. |
Taste | Malty, biscuit, caramel, smoked nuts |
Aftertaste | Malty sweetness and gentle peat lingers on the palate for a long time. |
Alcohol Content | 55.5% alcohol by volume |
By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
Cask type | Bourbon barrels, new American oak barrels |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 5,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 9,845 yen (tax included) |
Release date | Mid-August 2022 |
Our Take
The most distinctive feature of Pot Still W is that it uses 100% foreign barley malt as its ingredient malt. Up until now, whiskies released by Shizuoka Distillery have contained a high percentage of Japanese barley, and there has been a commitment to the terroir of Shizuoka Distillery.
This is the first time that Shizuoka Distillery has attempted to use no Japanese barley at all in their whiskey.
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The Komagatake Limited Edition has been released annually since 2018.
This year’s limited edition of 60,000 bottles is very large and may be relatively easy to obtain.
The product name was “Limited Edition” until 2020, but the word “Limited” (limited, special, slight) has been eliminated and the product name has changed to “Edition” due to the significant increase in the number of limited editions since the previous one released in 2021.
The Bottle
“Single Malt Komagatake” is produced at the MARS Shinshu Distillery, which is located at the foot of Komagatake Mountain in the Central Alps, surrounded by abundant nature and high-quality water. “2022 Edition” is a single malt whisky bottled in a limited edition of 2022, consisting mainly of bourbon barrel-aged spirit, accented with sherry cask-aged spirit and port cask-aged spirit.
Please enjoy its elegant and deep aroma and smooth, pleasant flavor reminiscent of ripe persimmons.
*This product conforms to the Japan Western Whisky Brewers Association’s “Standards for the Labeling of Japanese Whisky”.
Reference: Japanese Whisky|Single Malt Komagatake 2022 Edition
Aroma | Fresh grapefruit, dry wood aroma |
Taste | Sweet and sour of passion fruit and kiwi, woody astringency |
Aftertaste | Pleasant bitterness with a good balance of sweetness and acidity |
Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
Distillation | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon Barrel, Sherry, Port, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 60,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 8,800 yen (tax included) |
Release date | September 16, 2022 |
Our Take
When drunk straight, the aroma is sweet and sour like fresh fruit. The first attack is full of fruit, but gradually the richness of the sherry and port casks comes out.
Although it is mainly made from bourbon casks, the fruity, sweet and sour, mellow flavor derived from port casks can be felt more clearly than the vanilla-like aroma and flavor that is characteristic of bourbon casks.
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omagatake IPA Cask Finish, which has been released in 2020 and 2021, is a very popular whiskey and is currently listed at a pre-priced price of almost twice the list price. This bottle is sure to be another popular one. Limited to 2,700 bottles. The resale price on Mercari is about $350,000.
Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish” has been on sale under the same product name since 2020, and the product description and alcohol content on the official website are almost identical.
It would be interesting to compare this product with the previous one. The flavors claimed in both aroma and taste were slightly different.
The Bottle
Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish” is a single malt whiskey finished in empty casks in which India Pale Ale (IPA), a medium dark beer brewed at the Minami Shinshu Beer Komagatake Brewery using an abundance of hops, was laid down.
The aroma is reminiscent of fresh citrus fruits derived from hops, the taste is clear with grapefruit and herbs, and the finish is crisp and bitter.
It has a crisp, bitter aftertaste, making it a perfect match for a highball.
Reference: Hombo Shuzo K.K. official mail order shop
Aroma | Citrus with acidity, citrus, mint, herbs |
Taste | Woody and oily with moderate acidity and bitterness reminiscent of beer (pale ale) |
Aftertaste | Sweet bourbon barrel aroma, IPA-derived maltiness, bitter aftertaste |
Alcohol content | 52% alcohol by volume |
By Alcohol | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
Cask type | Bourbon casks |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 2,700 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 9,460 yen (tax included) |
Release date | Early August 2022 |
Our Take
Komagatake IPA Cask Finish, released in 2020, is a post-aged IPA in casks, so it tastes similar to beer, but more like it when served with soda.
In addition to the hoppy flavor, there is a strong impression of citrus, mint, and herbs, giving the impression of both beer and herbal refreshment. The beer has a refreshing citrus, oaky, and oily taste, which changes to a more complex flavor.
It is hard to find such an unusual whisky from other companies, so this is a whisky that you should definitely try.
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On May 31, 2022, this was achieved by exchanging malt whiskey from three distilleries in Japan: Nagahama Distillery, Eigashima Distillery, and Saburomaru Distillery. Two blended whiskeys, “INAZUMA Edition No.3”, were released in a limited edition.
The “INAZUMA Blended Malt Japanese Whiskey Synergy Blend Edition No. 3” and “INAZUMA World Blended Whiskey Extra Selected Edition No. 3” are available in No. 3, but the latter is described on this page. The product name is “Shigeru”, which is the name of the prefecture.
The product name is derived from the appearance of the kanji character “Shigeru” in the prefecture’s name, and the label depicts the nature of Lake Biwa and the symbols of Hyogo Prefecture “stork” and Tonami City “hiyodori” that fly there. If you look into the center of the bottle, you can see the scenery of Lake Biwa, which is associated with each bottle.
The Bottle
Exchange of malt liquors from three distilleries in Japan: Nagahama Distillery, Eigashima Distillery, and Saburomaru Distillery.
The malt whisky from Nagahama distillery is used as the key malt, and the malt whisky from the three domestic distilleries used in the synergy blend are blended by changing the recipe composition. The long-aged grain whiskey successfully connects the unique malt whiskeys.
Whisky has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, and it is said that 90% of the whisky currently distributed in Japan is “blended whisky. In Scotland, the home of blended whiskey, there is an active exchange of whisky, resulting in the birth of many unique blended whiskeys, and it is not unusual for a single product to be a blend of whiskies from several distilleries. For INAZUAMA EDITION No. 3, the brewery attempted to blend the original spirits from three distilleries in Japan for the first time in the series.
Reference: Nagahama Romantic Beer Official ONLINE SHOP
Aroma |
Esteely, fresh citrus, and a peaty aroma reminiscent of the seaside. |
Taste | Malt flavor, lactic sweet and sour, rum raisin, bitter chocolate and sponge cake sweetness |
Aftertaste | Slightly sweet and spicy, followed by soft peaty notes. |
Alcohol content | 47% (with a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume) |
By Sake |
Malts from 3 distilleries in Japan Long-aged grain |
Cask type | Cask type |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 6,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 7,590 yen (6,900 yen without tax) |
Release date | May 31, 2022 |
Our Take
I have the impression that the estrous aroma of Eigashima distillery, the peaty aroma of Saburomaru distillery, and the fruity flavor of Nagahama distillery are intertwined in a good way. Later on, lactic acidity and bitter chocolate-like residual aroma can also be detected, and the grain base liquor brings the malt characteristics together nicely. You can enjoy the changes of this whiskey over time.
Nagahama Distillery has been actively conducting crowdfunding activities such as “Whiskey Blending Experience,” and is making efforts to promote whiskey. We can’t take our eyes off their future activities.
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A new world of blended whiskey from the Saburomaru Distillery.
A peaty, aromatic collaboration between the Saburomaru malt base whiskey distilled in 2018, which is the majority of the product, and the grain base whiskey that has been aged in-house for more than 12 years.
Distilled in 2018 means that it is not yet distilled in the cast pod still “ZEMON”.
The grain original is aged for up to 16 years. It plays a nice balancing role. Rather than that, we take our hats off to the blending ability, which is “as good as it gets”.
The Bottle
2018 distilled Saburomaru malt and home-aged 12+ year old grain
The majority of the Saburomaru malt, distilled in 2018, is made mainly from Mizunara and sherry casks from Toga, Toyama Prefecture, bringing out a variety of aromas, peppiness, and an oakiness derived from Mizunara.
The blended grain of more than 12 years old is aged in roasted casks from Iba and wine casks from Nagano, and the multi-layered flavors combine to support each other as a whole.
We hope you will enjoy this new frontier of Saburomaru blended whiskey.
Aroma | Smoky, sandalwood, milk chocolate |
Taste | Smoke, citrus, marron, bitterness of oak, sweetness of grain appears later. |
Aftertaste | Burnt aroma and bitterness gradually give way to sweetness. |
Alcohol content | 48% (alcohol by volume) |
alcohol category | Blended Whiskey |
Cask type | Quercus, sherry, roasting casks, wine casks, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 5,320 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 10,780 yen (tax included) |
Release date | July 11, 2022 |
Our Take
Last year, there was a blended whiskey release called “Tamausagi”.
Tama-Usagi was also a gem that showed the power of blending, but this release is even better than that.
It has a distinctive smoky, rich, and slightly citrusy taste, with a Japanese taste peculiar to Mizunara oak barrels and a burnt bittersweet taste from roasted bourbon barrels coming in later. The sweetness of the grain brings them all together nicely. It can be enjoyed straight or with soda.
The single malt Saburomaru that will be released this year should finally be distilled in the cast pod still “ZEMON”. We can’t wait to see how it will taste.
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Kirin Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji is the newest addition to the Fuji brand, which was introduced in 2020 and became a new standard in June of this year.
Many Japanese craft whiskeys focus on local barley, but in the case of Kirin, they do not focus on the place where the raw materials are produced, but rather on the greatness of the place at the foot of Mt. Fuji, where the whiskey is made and nurtured, and the time spent by the original whiskey there.
The new product that reflects this terroir of Gotemba is the “Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji,” which has been released as a new standard product.
The Bottle
The first single blended whiskey recognized in Japan
This single blended Japanese whiskey is the embodiment of Fuji Gotemba Distillery’s commitment and characteristics in whiskey making.
The term “single blended” refers to a blend of malt and grain whiskies made at a single distillery, and was the first designation applied for and approved in Japan when this product was developed.
Fuji Gotemba Distillery, where everything from preparation to maturation is done at the foot of Mt. Fuji, blends a wide variety of malt and grain whiskies, making it a rare product of its kind in the world. In creating this single blended product, we placed great importance on the concept of the “terroir of time” in whiskey.
Terroir in whiskey refers to the location at the foot of Mt. Fuji where the whiskey is produced and nurtured, as well as the time spent by the original whiskey in that location. Fuji, refined over a period of about 50 years, as well as the air quality and weather conditions. The time and climate in which the whiskey was nurtured is the terroir of whiskey, and Single Blended Fuji is a reflection of the terroir at the foot of Mt. Fuji
Reference: https://drinx.kirin.co.jp/whisky/fj/sb2/
Aroma | Aromas of peach and apricot, honey and butter, toast and cookies. |
Taste | Smooth on the palate with sweetness of pear, peach, apricot and honey. |
Aftertaste |
Silky, with sweet, fruity and rich aromas interweaving and lingering pleasantly. |
Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
Distillation | Malt, Grain |
Cask type | Malt, Grain |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Bottles sold |
Suggested retail price | 6,600 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 7, 2022 |
Our Take
The barrels were carefully selected to maximize the characteristics of each sake, and the blend is exquisitely balanced so that the colorful characteristics of the sake are multi-layered and vibrant, and there is not a trace of unripe distillate-derived aroma. The result is a fruity, transparent, and “beautiful” finish with no hint of unripeness from the distillate.
The manufacturer recommends drinking it straight in a wine glass (Sauvignon Blanc is best). The wine has a gorgeous fruit aroma reminiscent of peach, apricot, and orange liqueur.
Then, in the mouth, sweet aromas of honey, pear tart, and fruitcake will spread and make you feel pleasantly happy. If you want to enjoy the change of aroma, try adding a teaspoon of water and you will feel the fruity aroma more vividly. It is commented as follows.
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Sasanogawa Brewery, with a history of over 250 years as a sake brewery, obtained a license to produce whisky in 1946 and established the Asaka Distillery in 2016 as a 250th anniversary project.
The distillery has been gaining recognition both in Japan and abroad, with Yamazakura Blended Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka Sherry Wood Reserve winning the world’s highest award in the Blended Malt Whisky category at the World Whisky Awards (WWA) 2022 held this year.
Reference: Asaka Distillery official Twitter
Aroma |
Plum, pineapple, and yogurt-like acidity stand out. |
Taste |
Light bodied, sweet and sour peach, plum, vanilla, tart crust |
Aftertaste |
Slightly sweet oaky aroma that quickly fades after the moderate acidity is gone. |
Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
Alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon casks, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 11,000 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 20, 2022 |
Our Take
Not too sweet, with almost no peat taste, and a refreshing taste that is perfect for this hot season.
The official product description says, “The subtle accentuated peated Asaka peat aroma is pleasant”, but I didn’t feel it, or rather, I didn’t feel the peat at all, to the point where I thought it was non-peated. I only drank it straight, so perhaps the peat would come out if I drank it on the rocks or with soda.
It has a taste that is not close to any of the recent Japanese whiskies, but there are no negative elements, and my impression is that this is a delicious whisky.
We are looking forward to the next release to see what kind of whisky the Sasanogawa Brewery, which is well versed in sake brewing, will be aiming for in the future.
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MARS The Y. A.” was born as a new whiskey brand specializing in “Yakushima-aged malt whiskey”.
It is made from malt distilled at the Mars Shinshu Distillery and the Mars Tsunuki Distillery. This blended malt whiskey is matured in the Yakushima Aging Cellar, which was newly established in June 2016 on the island of Yakushima, a World Natural Heritage site and the highest island in Kyushu, Miyanoura-dake, which is located approximately 60 km southwest of the Kagoshima mainland and is said to be the Alps floating above the sea. The “Yakushima Aging Cellar” is located in the Yakushima Densetsu Kan, a shochu brewery owned by Hombo Shuzo on Yakushima. It was built to store the original whiskey.
MARS The Y.A. #01″ is officially labeled as the first release, so it will be interesting to see how the series will develop in the future.
The Bottle
MARS The Y.A.” is a Japanese whiskey that has been matured in this unique environment. This first release is vatted mainly with malt whiskey distilled in Shinshu and Tsunuki and aged in bourbon barrels.
Enjoy a bottle with a fruity aroma reminiscent of the tropics and a flavor reminiscent of the sea breeze from the coast with its raised coral reefs on the east side of the cellar, and feel the uniqueness of Yakushima Island.
This product conforms to the “Japanese Whiskey Labeling Standards” of the Japan Western Whiskey Brewers Association.
Reference: MARS The Y.A. #01|Honbo Shuzo Co.
Aroma | Tropical fruits, vanilla |
Taste | Honey, vanilla from bourbon barrels, almond aroma |
Aftertaste | Oaky sweetness, lemon, and a hint of tartness on the lingering finish |
Alcohol Content | 52% alcohol by volume |
By Sake | Blended Malt |
Barrel type | Bourbon barrels, etc. |
Content Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 12,000 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 9,900 yen (tax included) |
Release date | Late June 2022 |
Our Take
If you want to enjoy the individuality of this whiskey, drink it straight, but this whiskey is also recommended with soda. The sweetness of honey, vanilla, a little bit of oak astringency, and a touch of saltiness give the whiskey a depth of flavor that is not simply an extension of what you get when drinking it straight.
As is true of all Hombo whiskies, the price of Hombo’s whisky is under 10,000 yen, while most Japanese whiskies nowadays are priced at 10,000 yen or more. And this quality. It must be the fruit of tireless corporate efforts. It is one of the distilleries that makes you want to support.
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SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY Ao is the result of Suntory’s new challenge to develop a blended whisky by blending the original spirits of the world’s five major whiskies, which are rich in character.
The bottle design is based on the blue color of the ocean that connects Japan and the world, the pentagonal shape of the bottle representing the five major whiskies, and the bottle neck depicting a compass.
“Ao SMOKY PLEASURE” is a blend of “SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY Ao” with a focus on peated malts. The label design was also redesigned, with a blue color and a gray color that evokes smokiness.
The Bottle
Original Sake Composition |
●Japan Hakushu Distillery Smoky Malt Bowmore Distillery Smoky malt Laphroaig Distillery Smoky malt |
The contents are a blend of Irish and Scotch whiskies with a strong smoky character, Japanese whisky with a rounded smoky character, and American and Canadian whisky, giving the product a smooth taste with a smoky character.
The packaging uses gray as the base color of the label to clearly express the smoky flavor. The design also expresses the overlapping flavors of the various base liquors with a variety of interwoven colors.
Quote from SUNTORY’s official website
Aroma | Refreshing citrus and honey-like sweetness with a slightly delayed smokiness. |
Taste |
Light body. The soft sweetness of honey with fruity notes of lime and apple spreads before the smokiness. Pleasant smoky flavor, neither too strong nor too weak. Slightly perfumed. |
Aftertaste | The smoky flavor is pleasantly lingering, and the fluffy sweetness lingers on for a long, thin finish. |
Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
alcohol category | Blended whisky |
Cask type | Cask type |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 5,500 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 7, 2022 |
Our Take
It was not as smoky as I expected and had a well-balanced taste of sweetness and citrus freshness. Whether served straight, on the rocks, or with soda, the quirkiness is moderate and light and easy to drink.
At the point of aroma, the smokiness is definitely noticeable, but in the mouth, the sweetness and citrus freshness are felt just as much as the smokiness. The smokiness quickly and pleasantly slips away in the aftertaste, followed by a soft sweetness reminiscent of honey and vanilla, and the pungent taste of alcohol.
We have often heard people say that the regular “Ao” has a strong bourbon taste, but we think that this “Ao smoky pleasure” has a very good balance between the smoky base liquors such as Bowmore and Laphroaig, and the sweet base liquors such as bourbon.
The regular version of “Ao” is sold in limited quantities followed by regular sales. We hope that “Ao smoky pleasure” will also be available in the regular version in the future.
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Prologue is over, and this chapter has finally begun! Following in the footsteps of Shizuoka Distillery’s first release, “Prologue K”, the “K” series consists of the original sake from distiller K.
In mid-June 2022, “Shizuoka Pot Still K Pure Japanese Barley First Release” was released. This is a special whisky made from 100% Japanese barley malt and aged for 3 to 5 years in the rich nature of the Shizuoka region.
This release is limited to 2,500 bottles sold in Japan. The suggested retail price is 18,150 yen (including tax), which is half the volume and more than double the price of Prologue K and Prologue W.
The Bottle
Only distiller K is used. 100% Japanese barley malt is used.
Not only is it a single malt whisky (only the original spirit from a single distillery), it is composed of only the original spirit from a single first distiller. The delicate and luscious flavor of the Japanese barley is further refined and elegant by distiller “K”. This flavor is unique and only Shizuoka Distillery can produce it.
Shizuoka Distillery always separates the original whisky for each first distiller used and matures it for a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 years in the rich nature of Oku-Shizuoka to produce a beautiful pale amber whisky. This product is the result of blending various casks that meet the same requirements (Japanese barley malt, distiller “K” used).
Ingredients: 100% Japanese barley malt is used for the malt. Bourbon and wine barrels were used for the casks. This Japanese whisky is made using only Japanese domestic products from raw materials.
Aroma | Floral, fruity, citrus, vanilla, cemedine aroma |
Taste | Malt richness, lemon and lactic acidity, honey, ripe melon |
Aftertaste | Smooth sweetness and oaky, malty sweetness lingers for a long time |
Alcohol content | 55.5% (5% alcohol by volume) |
Alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon barrels, wine barrels, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 2,500 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 18,150 yen (tax included) |
Release date | Mid-June, 2022 |
Our Take
The most distinctive feature of Pot Still K is that it uses 100% Japanese barley malt as its raw malt. Shizuoka Distillery has been brewing with Japanese barley malt since the beginning of its operation in 2016 and continues to do so every year.
Currently, many Japanese whiskies are made with barley malt from overseas, and Japanese barley malt is still scarce. This is due to the fact that Japanese barley is grown in limited areas in Japan, and the harvest is low, making Japanese barley malt more expensive than its foreign counterparts.
Even under these circumstances, Shizuoka Distillery is committed to making whisky with high-cost Japanese barley malt because of the flavor potential of Japanese barley and the importance of terroir (local character) as a Japanese alcoholic beverage. The whisky produced from Japanese barley has a delicate, soft, smooth, and sweet taste that is uniquely Japanese, and it is a whisky with a rich terroir that is different from barley produced overseas.
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“Hibiki” is the pinnacle of Japan’s world-class blended whisky.
“Hibiki” is said to be a blend of carefully selected, long-matured whiskies from over 800,000 unique whiskies produced and stored at Suntory’s three distilleries in Japan: the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita Distilleries.
“Hibiki” is a top-rated premium blended whisky released in 1989 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the company’s founding.
“BLOSSOM HARMONY” is a blend of grain whisky aged for more than 10 years in white oak barrels and further aged for several years in cherry casks.
The octagonal plate, which is said to bring good luck, is decorated with “Matsukawabishi,” meaning longevity, and auspicious flowers such as cherry blossoms and irises, creating a neat and gorgeous design that is perfect for celebratory occasions and as a gift.
The Bottle
A wide variety of sake matured over the course of four seasons.
This special “Hibiki” is a blend of a variety of sake that has been aged well over the course of four seasons and rare sake that has been aged in cherry barrels.
The aroma is fragrant and flowery, the taste is round and harmonious, and the body is smooth, sweet, and rich.
The harmony of its floral aroma, round and harmonious flavor, and rich, sweet aftertaste is a delight to savor.
Reference: Suntory’s official website
Aroma | Aromatic floral aroma, cherry blossoms, golden bellflower |
Taste | Rounded mouthfeel, spontaneous on the palate, Acacia honey, La France, elegant cherry blossoms like rice cakes. La France, elegant sweetness like cherry blossom cake |
Aftertaste | Long, rich and floral aftertaste |
Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
By Sake | Blended Whisky |
Cask type | Cherry casks, etc. |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested Retail Price | 11,000 yen (tax included) |
Release date | May 24, 2022 |
Our Take
Compared to HIBIKI BLOSSOM HARMONY 2021, the HIBIKI BLOSSOM HARMONY 2021
is superior to the 2021 in terms of fruity and freshness, and gives the impression of being slightly more relaxed. Both the aroma and taste have a strong presence of aged grain whisky with a rich sweetness.
As soon as you put it close to your nose, you can smell the sweet aroma of grain whisky, followed by a subtle fresh aroma of cherry blossoms.
In the mouth, it is nuttier and tastier than expected. Overall, it has a strong taste, with the sweetness of grain whisky with a sense of maturity as mentioned above, and a fruity flavor reminiscent of bananas.
If you give it time to open up, the cherry cask character shows its presence even more, revealing spicy and sour tastes.
The end result is a creamy sweetness that lingers in the mouth with just the right amount of sweetness.
If you prefer a woody and dry type, try 2021, and if you prefer a sweet and creamy type, try 2022.
This is a very popular brand with limited quantities, so if you are able to purchase it, or if you come across it at a bar, please take the time to taste it for yourself.
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This is the third single malt Japanese whisky from the Kanosuke Distillery.
Single Malt Kanosuke 2022 LIMITED EDITION is made with non-peat malt and distilled between 2017 and 2019. Multiple casks were vatted for the key malt sherry cask-aged sake.
Bottled at cask strength, this is the long-awaited Japanese whisky using the original sherry casks.
The price is 13,750 yen including tax, the same as the first and second releases.
The Bottle
Single Malt Kanosuke 2022 LIMITED EDITION is a single malt Japanese whisky produced at the Kanosuke distillery from 2017 to 2019. It is made with non-peat malt and
The key ingredient is the original spirit matured in sherry casks, vatted in multiple casks, and bottled at cask strength.
The key malt is the original sherry cask-aged spirit, which imparts a full and attractive aroma.
Please enjoy the lingering taste like a sunset slowly sinking into the East China Sea.
TASTING NOTE
COLORr: Reddish amber
NOSE: Lemon tea, honey, plum, and nikki
TASTE: Dried berry fruit, coffee candy, old woodiness
FINISH: Spicy and bitter sweetness lingers pleasantly
Aroma | Honeyed flowers, roses, dried fruits |
Taste | American cherry, bitter chocolate, woody and light astringency |
Aftertaste | Slowly lingering tannins and berry sweetness from the sherry casks. |
Alcohol Content | 59% alcohol by volume |
By Sake | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Sherry casks, various oak casks |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested Retail Price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 24, 2022 |
Our Take
The “sunset” depicted on the side of the package and the “color and taste” of the whisky are a perfect match. The amber color is tinted red like a sunset shadow, and the color makes you feel as if you are in the twilight. The taste is long and lingering, and you can sense the elegant sherry casks.
One of the characteristics of Kanosuke is the distinctive packaging of each new release, which is one of its charms.
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(SAKURAO B&D) (formerly known as Chugoku Brewery Co., Ltd.), famous for its SAKURAO GIN, launched a project in 2015 to build a new distillery as a 100th anniversary project.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY was born in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, known as the town of Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, and started operation in January 2018.
In July 2021, the 1st Release Cask Strength of Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO and Single Malt Japanese Whisky TOGAUCHI are launched.
About a year later, the single malt was released in a watered-down version with an alcohol content of 43%.
Although the limited number is not certain, it is likely to be shipped to restaurants, hotels, bars, and other commercial outlets, as well as to a reasonable number of retail outlets for general consumers.
The Bottle
Matured in a tunnel in a cool environment deep in the mountains
Togouchi in Aki Ota Town stands out for the beauty of its scenery and the colors of its rich forests and clear streams, including Mount Osorakan (the highest mountain in the prefecture), Mount Sinnyu, and Sandankyo, a special national scenic beauty spot.
The Togouchi storage facility is housed in a tunnel that was once used for railroad purposes. The tunnel is about 800 meters long, and cool breezes pass through it all year round. The dark storage cellar, where temperature and humidity are kept constant throughout the year, allows for a slow maturation process. The wine has a refreshing aroma of vanilla, apple, marmalade, and mint, and a light, smooth mouthfeel.
Aroma | Vanilla, green apple, fresh fruit, mint |
Taste | Sweetness of milk, slight acidity of apple and fig. |
Aftertaste | Sweetness from the bourbon barrels and a fresh, dry aftertaste |
Alcohol content | 43% (bourbon barrel alcohol) |
Distillate | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon casks |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 6,600 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 6, 2022 |
Our Take
Compared to the Togouchi Cask Strength version released last year, the aroma is sweet and fruity and gives a good impression, but the drinkability is a bit lacking. The refreshing sweetness is enhanced by drinking it chilled on the rocks.
Sakurao distillery has already started producing grain whisky, and in a few years they will be able to make 3-year-old grain whisky. The distillery is also increasing its production of malt whisky and seems to be producing a variety of malt whisky. I think they are one of the top class distilleries in terms of production volume among domestic craft distilleries.
I have high expectations for their future releases.
The tunnels used for aging at Togouchi are characterized by the low temperature difference throughout the year and the speed of aging is gentle. In fact, there is not only one tunnel, but another….
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(SAKURAO B&D) (formerly known as Chugoku Brewery Co., Ltd.), famous for its SAKURAO GIN, launched a project in 2015 to build a new distillery as a 100th anniversary project.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY was born in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, known as the town of Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, and began operation in January 2018.
In July 2021, the 1st Release Cask Strength of Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO and Single Malt Japanese Whisky TOGAUCHI are launched.
About a year later, the single malt was released in a watered-down version with an alcohol content of 43%.
Although the limited number is not certain, it is likely to be shipped to restaurants, hotels, bars, and other commercial outlets, as well as to a reasonable number of retail outlets for general consumers.
The Bottle
Aroma of mild Setouchi tides, woody and pleasant smoky flavor
The distillate is aged for more than 3 years at the Sakurao distillery.
The distillery is located on the ocean side, and the barrels have a subtle aroma of the Seto Inland Sea. The environment has a large difference in temperature throughout the year, so the aging process proceeds quickly.
It has a long-lasting woody aroma and a subtle peaty flavor. The taste is complex and deep, with a rich sweetness and a slight bitterness.
Aroma | Fresh citrus, vanilla, and gentle peat aroma |
Taste | Milky sweetness with a hint of peat, and a bitterness that brings out the best in the overall taste. |
Aftertaste | Woody, sweet, and bitter. |
Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
Distillate | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Cask type |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 6,600 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 6, 2022 |
Our Take
Compared to the cask strength version released last year, the flavor seems much milder. The taste is easy to drink and favorable for whisky beginners.
The Sakurao aging cellar is located by the sea. This whisky has an impressive salty taste reminiscent of the sea. This Sakurao distillery has already started producing grain whisky, and in a few years, a three-year aged grain whisky will be ready. The distillery is also increasing its production of malt whisky, and seems to be producing a variety of malt whisky. I think they are one of the top class distilleries in terms of production volume among domestic craft distilleries.
I have high expectations for their future releases.
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(SAKURAO B&D) (formerly known as Chugoku Brewery Co., Ltd.), famous for its SAKURAO GIN, launched a project in 2015 to build a new distillery as part of its 100th anniversary project.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY was born in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, known as the town of Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, and started operation in January 2018.
In July 2021, 1st Release Cask Strength of Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO and Single Malt Japanese Whisky TOGAUCHI are launched.
About a year later, the “SAKURAO SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION,” made with the best sherry casks selected by Stillman, and the “SAKURAO SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION,” a watered-down version of the “SAKURAO SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION” were released. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao” and “Single Malt Japanese Whisky Togouchi” will be released. All were released in limited quantities.
The Bottle
Stillman’s carefully selected sherry casks blended
Stillman, who has tasted many original wines, selected the best SHERRY CASK and blended it.
The aroma with acidity of fresh fruits changes to a bitter aroma reminiscent of high cocoa chocolate, and then to a creamy richness and a dark fruity taste like Pione and American cherries. The subtle peat aroma is also combined with a deep and long finish that gives a sense of depth.
Aroma | Fresh fruits, gentle sweetness of milk, bitter chocolate |
Taste | Bitter sweetness of bitter chocolate, American cherry, creamy richness, some peat |
Aftertaste | Dark bitter sweetness and richness, peat combined with a deep and long finish. |
Alcohol Content | 50% alcohol by volume |
Distillate | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
Cask type | Two types of cream sherry casks |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 13,530 yen (tax included) |
Release date | June 6, 2022 |
Our Take
Sakurao’s aging warehouse is located by the sea, where there is a large difference in temperature throughout the year. They are making a wide variety of sake while increasing production every year.
This SHERRY CASK is said to be released in limited quantities, but it will be produced again every few months, so the next release is undecided, but those who were unable to obtain it this time still have a chance to purchase it in the future.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY also seems to be steadily producing grain whisky, so we will keep an eye on their future developments.
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Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei, the seventh in the Akkeshi Whisky “Twenty-Four Season Series”
This is the first release in about three months since the last blended whisky Daikan was released.
The first release | Single Malt Whisky Kanro | Released on October 28, 2020 |
The second release | Blended Whisky Usui | Launched on February 28, 2021 |
The third release | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Boushu | Launched on May 28, 2021 |
The fourth release | Blended Whisky Shosho | To be released on August 25, 2021 |
The fifth release | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Ritto | Launched on November 25, 2021 |
The sixth release | Blended Whisky Daikan | Launched on February 25, 2022 |
The seventh release | Single malt Japanese whisky Seimei | Launched on May 30, 2022 |
This Twenty-Four Season series will alternate between single malt and blended rele ases, and this time it will be a single malt release.
The 24 Seasonal Seasons are the seasons of the year divided into 24 equal parts and given names, such as “Risshun” and “Geshi,” which we often hear about.
Qingming” is the fifth of the 24 solar terms and is said to be “the time when all things are pure, bright, and beautiful,” and falls from April 5 to around April 19. It is the season when flowers and grass come alive and we feel the breath of spring. This is the season when a new environment begins, so it is the season to use a lot of energy.
Qingming’s 72 solar terms (one of a system of indicating the seasons devised in ancient China. The 72 solar terms are divided into three periods of about five days each.
“The label is a symbol of the arrival of the swallow from the south”.
The label is decorated with the silhouette of a swallow in fresh blue and green colors that remind us of the freshness of the season.
The Bottle
The key malt is “all Hokkaido’s original Mizunara oak barrels.
The key malt is all Mizunara oak from Hokkaido.
Bourbon casks account for over 70% of the casks, sherry and wine casks for over 20%, and Quercus serrata casks for a very small percentage. A total of seven types of non-peat and peat barrels are used.
The sweetness of the Akkeshi malt and peat is pleasant. This whisky has a strong sweetness + peat, which is a characteristic of Akkeshi.
Unlike the smoky peat of “Glauber’s Peat,” the tide-like peat rises softly after the good richness and bitter sweetness.
Aroma | Citrus, vanilla, smoky |
Taste | Lemon sourness, honey, bitter chocolate, tide |
Aftertaste | Pleasant aftertaste with sweetness and peat |
Alcohol content | 55%. |
By Alcohol | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type |
Bourbon casks, sherry casks, wine casks, oak casks |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 19,800 yen (tax included) |
Release date | May 30, 2022 |
Our Take
The single malts that have been released so far have been “Kanro,” “Bousyu,” and “Ritto”. Ritto is a whisky that dared to depart from the line of Akkeshi, and was a hit with those who like sherry, because it was swept away by sherry.
This time, “Seimei” is back on the Akkeshi-line, and it gives the impression of being a perfect example of Akkeshi. The sweetness and peat coexist in this whisky as if it were the very best of Akkeshi.
The next release will be around the end of August. We expect the next release to be around the end of August. We expect it to be around “Shosho” or “Taisho,” but it will be fun to wait and see what the name of the next release will be.
If you want to know more about the Akkeshi Distillery, please check out BS Fuji’s Whiskipedia in December 2020, which featured the distillery.
The program is not only about the appeal of Akkeshi whisky, but also about the nature of Akkeshi-cho, the fishing industry centering on oyster fishing, and the marriage of whisky and oysters from Akkeshi
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A private bottle for the Mars Shinshu x Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA. 2015 distillate bottled in 2022. Aged in wine cask from start to finish, this is a rare bottle of Mars whisky. The Kabuki illustrated packaging and label design make this a chic bottle.
Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA is a collaboration between Musashiya and Neu Enterprise Ltd. which operates cigar bars in Nishi-Azabu and Naha, Okinawa. Located in Shibuya, Tokyo, it is a new experience space for tasting and purchasing.
For product lineup and location, please visit the official website.
It appears that a lottery will be held via the official Musashiya app from May 30, 2022 at 10:00 to June 3, 2022 at 12:00.
To apply, download the app, and check details, please visit the official Musashiya website.
The Bottle
Mars Shinshu Distillery is located at an altitude of 798 meters above sea level, at the foot of Komagatake Mountain in the Japanese Alps, and is surrounded by the richness of nature.
Mars Whiskey Komagatake 2015 Wine Cask” is the first private bottle from the promotion-focused Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA bar.
The rare 100% wine cask aged Mars Whiskey Komagatake, which is attracting attention from all over the world.
Please enjoy the elegant aroma derived from wine barrels.
Reference: Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA official website
Aroma | Sweetness of floral honey, chocolate, and vanilla. Astringency of wine. Slight woodiness. |
Taste |
Smooth mouthfeel. Plum-like fruity. Floral, reminiscent of nectar. Good balance between acidity and sweetness. |
Aftertaste | Soft sweetness remains and fades away cleanly. |
Alcohol content | 48% |
alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Wine casks |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
Suggested retail price | 16,280 yen (tax included) |
Release date | May 2022 |
Our Take
We think this is a very nice bottle with a great balance of wine and malt flavors.
Among the whiskies we have recently introduced on this site, it has a low alcohol content of 48% and has an image of smoothness and familiarity on the tongue. As it has been aged for 6 years in wine barrels, the aroma of wine can be felt immediately from the nose. After the wine aroma, sweet aromas such as honey and chocolate appear later.
The taste is also very easy to drink, with a wonderful balance of fruity acidity like plums, astringency of wine, and sweetness of malt.
The eye-catching Kabuki packaging reads “POPUP Kakuuchi Base. We hope you will try this unique appearance and its easy-drinking, well-balanced aroma and taste.
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Christian Drouin Cask Finish is now available from Single Malt Komagatake.
Christian Drouin is a company that has been making apples and top-quality Calvados for generations in the Normandy region of northern France. Everything from apple cultivation, distillation, aging, and blending is done in-house.
Mars Shinshu Distillery and Christian Drouin have begun an experiment of exchanging Calvados and whiskey casks and aging them in their respective locations.
The single malt Komagatake Christian Druane Cask Finish is made from malt aged in bourbon casks at the Mars Shinshu distillery for more than three years, then aged for two years in Christian Druane Calvados casks, and bottled at cask strength. Limited number of bottlings. 587 bottles.
The Bottle
Hombo Shuzo Mars Shinshu Distillery and Christian Drouin, which produces the highest quality Calvados in Normandy, France, began an experiment to exchange whisky and Calvados barrels and mature the original sake in their respective locations.
Enjoy this special single malt whisky, bottled in a limited edition of 587 bottles, made by aging the original malt whisky in bourbon barrels at the Mars Shinshu distillery for more than three years, and then aging (finishing) it for about two additional years in the empty barrels used for Calvados.
Aroma |
Slightly strong alcohol smell. The bourbon aroma is more prominent than that of Calvados. Fruits such as bananas, sweet and sour apples, and a slight light freshness. |
Taste | Malty sweetness. Sweet and sour of Calvados. Plum and other fruits. Minty freshness. |
Aftertaste |
Sweetness and bitterness last moderately long. |
Alcohol content | 61% |
By Sake | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon casks, Calvados casks |
Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 587 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 12,980 yen (tax included) |
Release date | April 2022 |
Our Take
I had the impression that the Calvados and bourbon were very well balanced. Both are not too assertive, but complement each other. The cask strength-derived alcohol angle can certainly be felt, but it is sharp in a good sense. The sweet and sourness of the Calvados, which comes in a little later, keeps you from getting bored.
With a small amount of water added, the Calvados shows its face slightly and becomes fruity, reminiscent of plums and dried plums. We think it would be delicious to drink it twiced up or with soda. It would also work well added in small quantities to a Jack Rose recipe.
As we mentioned a bit earlier in this article, Christian Drouin not only sells high-quality Calvados, but also a gin called “Le Gin” which takes advantage of apple cultivation and uses several types of apples in its base spirit. The company has also released a limited edition version of Le Gin, which is finished with a Calvados cask to give it an even more Calvados flavor.
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Gaiaflow Corporation’s first single cask whisky, celebrating its 10th anniversary on January 17, 2022. Gaia Flow’s first foray into the whisky industry was as an authorized importer and distributor of Black Adder.
Black Adder Lowe Cask Shizuoka 2018 3 Year Old Cask No. 781 is made from 100% Scottish non-peat barley. It was distilled in a “K” distiller and aged for three years in bourbon barrels. Minimal filtering is used and the “Raw Cask” is bottled directly from the cask, including the lees.
The Bottle
Shizuoka Distillery uses two first distillation stills, K (a distillation still transferred from Karuizawa Distillery) and W (a wood-fired distillation still), to produce two types of sake with different characteristics.
Each pot still is characterized by the steam-heated K with its fruity aroma and light flavor, and the wood-fired W with its heavy flavor and long finish.
Blackadder Row Cask Shizuoka 2018 3 Year Cask No. 781 is made from 100% Scottish non-peat barley. It is distilled in a “K” distiller and aged for 3 years in bourbon barrels. It is bottled directly from the cask, including the lees, using the “row cask” method.
It has a smooth, rich sweetness that makes you wonder if it has really been aged for three years.
Aroma | Slight sourness. Sweetness of vanilla, caramel, etc. Yellow peach and flowery aromas also emerge as it is opened. |
Taste |
Silky smoothness. Rich sweetness of floral honey and vanilla. After some time, it tastes like wine. |
Aftertaste |
Quite little esophageal burning after drinking. Somewhat refreshing sweetness lingers moderately. |
Alcohol content | 64.9% |
By Liquor | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon casks |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | 199 bottles (60 bottles sold in Japan) |
Suggested retail price | 15,555 yen (tax included) |
Release date | March 18, 2022 |
Our Take
Upon tasting, my first impression was “this is wonderful” . The aroma has no alcohol horniness to the extent that it is hard to believe it is a cask strength, and there is a rich sweetness reminiscent of floral honey, vanilla, and caramel. It has a wonderful silky and very smooth mouthfeel, and there is almost no burning sensation in the throat or esophagus after swallowing.
Pour it into a glass and let it sit for a while to open up further, revealing yellow peach and floral aromas and flavors of wine.
I was honestly surprised and impressed that such sweetness could be produced after 3 years of aging in bourbon barrels.
The lees that settle at the bottom of the bottle and dance in the air, characteristic of a wax cask, are also quite tasteful.
This is a very rare whisky with only 60 bottles sold in Japan, and it is a bottle with a very high degree of perfection. This is a bottle that you should definitely try.
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T&T TOYAMA’s first Japanese bottler, “THE LAST PIECE” has been released.
The “Japanese Edition” is a blend of original whisky from five distilleries in Japan, while the “World Edition” is a blend of five distilleries in Japan plus additionally aged Scotch malt in Japan.
The blue one is Japanese Edition and the red one is World Edition.
The Last Piece - Japanese Edition
The world’s first blended malt Japanese whisky made from original whisky aged for more than three years at five craft distilleries in Japan.
Fruity and smoky. The individuality of each distillery is combined like pieces of a puzzle, and while each asserts itself, they are united into one, allowing you to enjoy a complex and rich flavor.
Quote: Japanese Whisky| THE LAST PIECE Japanese Edition Batch No.1
The Last Piece - World Edition
More than half of the composition is made from sake from five Japanese craft distilleries, blended with carefully selected Scotch malts.
The rich individuality of the Japanese craft distilleries is connected by the gorgeous fruity flavor of the matured original distillate and the mellow sweetness and woodiness of the sherry cask original distillate. Thick and mellow flavor.
Reference: Japanese Whisky |THE LAST PIECE World Edition Batch No.1
Product name |
THE LAST PIECE Japanese Edition Batch No.1 | THE LAST PIECE World Edition Batch No.1 |
Fragrance | Dry, alcoholic smell that gradually opens up. Citrus, herbal and honey-like aroma. Smoky. |
Aromas of nuts, honey, and ripe fruit. Fresh accents of mint and a slight smokiness. |
Taste |
Malty. Pineapple and other sweetness. Woodiness with some bitterness. Citrus and smoky flavors show up later. |
Nutty. Honey, syrup and other sweetness. Sense of maturity. Slight smoky flavor. |
Aftertaste | Smoky and bitter. Malt sweetness and bitterness linger for a long time. | The sweetness gradually gives way to mint and other herbs. Peaty and malty. |
Product name | THE LAST PIECE Japanese Edition Batch No.1 | THE LAST PIECE World Edition Batch No.1 |
Alcohol content | 50% | 50% |
By Sake | Blended Malt Japanese Whisky | Blended Malt Whisky |
Content volume | 700ml | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited edition of 300 bottles | Limited edition of 800 bottles |
Suggested retail price | 22,000 yen (tax included) | 12,100 yen (including tax) |
Release date | April 19, 2022 | April 19, 2022 |
Our Take
The malty and rich Japanese Edition and the nutty and slightly sweet World Edition are probably two different bottles for different tastes.
The Japanese Edition had a strong impression with its strong alcohol smell, pineapple-like sour sweetness, and woodiness, while the World Edition left a lasting impression with its nutty, ripe fruit and honey-inspired sweetness, and a solid feeling of Scotch malt.
According to him, “The undisclosed distillery’s original spirit does a good job. Maybe it’s rather obvious?” The author of this article also has some expectations. The author of this article also has some predictions, but they are not actually revealed as of now. If you have been drinking a lot of whisky, you may be able to identify it.
Finally, a bottler using only Japanese whiskey has been released. One cannot help but notice the development of Japanese whisky. Expectations are high for the further development of Japanese whiskey in the future.
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The Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery began producing whisky in October 2016. Applications for the 2017 private casks began in December, shortly after operations began.
The first private cask as Shizuoka Distillery, distilled – aged in 2017, is now available for sale as private bottles from various liquor stores from spring 2021 onward.
In March 2022, a Gaia Flow x CLAUDE WHISKY private bottles of the new product were released.
Distilled from non-peat malt in pot stills K and W, aged in EX bourbon barrels for at least 4 years, and bottled at cask strength. The number of bottles sold is 219 bottles.
Shizuoka Distillery uses two first distillation stills, K (a distillation still transferred from Karuizawa Distillery) and W (a wood-fired distillation still), to produce two types of sake with different characteristics.
Each pot still is characterized by its own unique characteristics: the steam-heated K has a fruity aroma and light flavor, while the wood-fired W has a heavier flavor and a longer finish. It is bottled at cask strength.
62.It has a powerful, punchy mouthfeel and a fruity, floral character that opens up in line with its 8° alcohol content.
Aroma | Strong cemedine. Green apple and other fruits open up. |
Taste | Slightly oily mouthfeel. Strong alcohol. Green apple sweetness and acidity. Spicy, white pepper-like taste. |
Aftertaste | Tingling on the tongue. Malty and cool lingering finish is rather short. |
Product name | Single Malt Shizuoka 4 Years for CLAUDE WHISKY |
---|---|
Sake category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
Ingredients | Non-peated malt |
Cask Type | Bourbon |
Distillation Date | November 27, 2017 |
Bottling Date | March 16, 2022 |
Number of bottlings | 219 bottles |
Number of degrees | 62.8% |
Content Volume | 700ml |
Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
Producer | Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery |
Our first impression was that the high alcohol content was consistent with the enjoyable, robust alcohol taste. It is characterized by a fruity and spicy taste with a sourness that gradually opens up.
It can be enjoyed with soda or on the rocks, but straight or twice up is recommended. Especially when twisting it up, we hope you will find the sweet spot and enjoy it slowly.
Gaia flow Shizuoka Distillery is now accepting applications for cask owners by lottery. Why don’t you dream up your own special bottle and apply for it?
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Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 10 Years The First Ten, the first whisky aged more than 10 years to be released from Ichiro’s Malt, a venture whisky company.
It has been about 12 years since the Chichibu distillery started operation until the release of First Ten, and the bottles with the age statement will be available for sale after a full year. The number of bottled bottles is 5,000 bottles.
This is the dream whisky that Venture Whisky, which has a wide variety of original whiskies, has been keeping warm since the Chichibu distillery started operation.
The Bottle
The distillery has been in operation for 12 years.
It is one of our goals as a distiller to put the number of years on the label.
It is a precious moment to reconfirm the weight of the years.
We are grateful to be able to release a 10-year old bottle, and we are also grateful for the fact that we are able to release a 10-year old bottle.
Thinking of the smiles on the faces of those who drink it, we would like to continue to build up the time that will follow, one by one.
The aroma is filled with a gorgeous sweetness that leads to a smooth, honey-like taste.
The fresh impression of fresh greenery balances the long-lasting aftertaste.
This time, local barley grown in Chichibu also added depth to the flavor as part of the compositional base sake.
In order to take full advantage of these characteristics, we bottled it with a higher alcohol content, non-chill filtered, and natural color.
We hope you will take the time to enjoy this first decade, which is filled with a variety of thoughts and feelings.
Aroma | After a slight smell of cemedine, a sweet aroma of vanilla opens up. Herbaceous aroma. |
Taste |
Smooth mouthfeel. Pudding sweetness, bourbon-type oak sweetness plus citrus fruit. Rounded and gentle image. Finally, mint and other herbal notes escape. |
Aftertaste | Mellow, gentle and elegant sweetness lasts moderately long. |
Alcohol content | 50.5% |
By Liquor | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
Cask type | – |
Content Volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 5,000 bottles |
Suggested Retail Price | 19,800 yen (tax included) |
Release Date | November 2020 |
Our Take
The Ichiro’s Malt age-stamped bottle was released in full force. The taste is elegant and worthy of its 10-year title. The aroma is a bit harsh with a hint of cemedine, but in the mouth it is elegant and mellow, with an angular sweetness that spreads over the palate.
The addition of water makes it even gentler on the palate and makes it even easier to drink.
Overall, you can feel the presence of the barrels due to the long aging, but the flavor of the barrels does not overpower the characteristics of the original sake, giving it a well-balanced taste.
It can be enjoyed not only straight, but also on the rocks, toasted up, with water, or with soda.
Of course, the “unique original sake” produced by Chichibu Distillery is attractive, but the long-aged original sake such as “First Ten” and “Japanese Blended Limited Edition” are also attractive to “Ichiro’s Malt.”
The Ichiro’s Malt “Blended Japanese Whisky Limited Edition” series uses Chichibu distillery’s long-matured original sake and the ultra-rare Hanyu and Kawasaki distilleries’ original sake. World Whisky Awards It is a gem that has won the world’s highest award several times in the past at the
The “Limited Edition 2022” is the same as the “Limited Edition 2021”. Limited edition of 500 bottles The product is available at A well-balanced blend of malt from the long-aged Chichibu distillery, malt base sake from the Hanyu distillery, and grain base sake from the Kawasaki distillery. The gift box is also a special feature of 2022. Made of Quercus crispula.
The Bottle
It is a blend of only the malt base alcohol from the Chichibu and Hanyu distilleries and the grain base alcohol from the Kawasaki distillery that once existed.
The Chichibu distillery, established in 2008, malt whiskey from the former Hanyu distillery, and grain whiskey from the distillery in Kawasaki, which was made from corn about 40 years ago, are used, each with their own unique characteristics. The distillery also uses bourbon and sherry casks for maturation.
Chichibu Distillery, which began production in 2008, matures its whisky in traditional dunnage-style cellars. From among them, the original whisky that shows its strength in blending is used as the key malt, and only the unique domestic whiskey matured in Chichibu is blended in a well-balanced manner and bottled in a non-chill filtered, natural color.
Aroma | Complex aroma with multiple base liquors. Oaky, peaty, dried fruit, and honeyed sweet aromas rush together. |
Taste |
Woody but smooth drinking. Spicy, herbal and spicy. Oak flavor with a sense of maturity. Sweetness like molasses and vanilla. Sourness and bittersweetness come through later. |
Aftertaste |
Mild ripeness and oaky aroma lingers for a long time. Woodiness and sweetness with a hint of oak. The spiciness gives way to a coolness reminiscent of herbs and young leaves. |
Alcohol content | 48% |
By Liquor | Blended Japanese Whisky |
Cask type | Bourbon casks, sherry casks, etc. |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 500 bottles |
Suggested Retail Price | 198,000 yen (tax included) |
Release Date | April 2022 |
Our Take
This is a bottle with a solid sense of maturity. It can be enjoyed straight, twisted up, on the rocks, or with soda…however you like to drink it.
We hear that there are not many bottles left from the Hanyu and Kawasaki distilleries, so we are happy that this limited edition will be available again in 2022, but we are not sure if it will be available next year or the year after that.
Although the bottle is extremely rare and limited to 500 bottles, it is available at all BAR Shinkai locations. We hope you will try the blend of Chichibu, Hanyu, and Kawasaki sake, which have crossed the boundaries of time and met in the modern age.
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Two types of Azumi Distillery’s bourbon-barrel originals aged for five years, the so-called Double cask. bottled at cask strength. 2017’s original bottle is from the Azumi Distillery’s First year of business The original sake was brewed in the
This bottle allows you to fully enjoy the strengths of both the double cask and the 5-year aging process.
This whiskey was bottled and sold by lottery for the Chichibu Whiskey Festival 2022.
The Bottle
Single malt Japanese whiskey made from two first-fill bourbon barrels from Asaka Distillery, aged for five years. It is bottled as-is to preserve the original aroma and flavor of the barrels, so-called “original cask strength. It is non-chill filtered (non-cooled filtered) and naturally colored (no coloring), so in rare cases sediment or turbidity may appear due to changes in storage temperature, but this is of product origin and does not affect the quality or other aspects of the product.
Aroma |
Pungent odor of alcohol, rich sweet aroma derived from oak, pepper and other spicy notes. |
Taste |
Creamy, rich sweetness like vanilla and honey, then fruitiness. Then spiciness becomes noticeable, with a bitter note reminiscent of bitter chocolate at the end. |
Aftertaste |
Oak-derived sweetness and spiciness continue pleasantly, leaving a bitterness at the end. |
Alcohol content | 62% |
By Liquor | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
Cask type | Bourbon cask |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited to 475 bottles |
Suggested Retail Price | 14,850 yen (tax included) |
Release Date | March 18, 2022 Lottery starts |
Our Take
The stinging aroma of alcohol derived from cask strength is the first impression, but the swirling process gradually opens up the sweet aroma. The aroma is slightly spicy and sweet with a hint of spicy aroma and the pungent odor of alcohol. As soon as you take a sip, the mouth is immediately filled with an intense sweetness that reminds you of bourbon barrels. Although the sweetness tends to overpower the spicy flavor, you can also taste the spicy flavor and creamy body. The strong sweetness is followed by a bitter taste reminiscent of bitter chocolate. When water is added, the alcohol angle fades away and a strong sweetness reminiscent of bourbon barrels emerges.
Enjoy it straight when you want to feel the stimulation of alcohol and the dry bitter change from sweetness, or twist it up when you want to enjoy the sweetness to the fullest.
Limited to 475 bottles, this is a very rare bottle with limited availability, but it is available at BAR Shinkai. We hope you will enjoy the taste.
It is a bottle that makes us think that we cannot take our eyes off the ever-evolving whisky of Azumi Distillery in the future.
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The Single Cask Komagatake is sold in very limited quantities. The “Single Cask Komagatake 2014 No. 1841 AGED 7 YEARS” presented in this article is a single cask whisky, distilled in April 2014 at the Mars Shinshu distillery, aged for more than 7 years in sherry hogsheads with a heavy peated original.Limited edition of 287 pieces.
The Bottle
Miyata Village, Kamiina-gun, Nagano Prefecture, is located at the foot of Komagatake, in the Japanese Alps mountain range. The Mars Shinshu Distillery is located in a quiet forest at an altitude of 798m, surrounded by good quality water and rich nature.
Single Cask Komagatake 2014 No.1841 AGED 7 YEARS” is a rare and unique single cask bottled from the malt whisky matured in the cool environment of Shinshu, selected from one barrel of heavily peated (50ppm) sherry hogshead aged for more than 7 years. It is a single cask whiskey gem.
Aroma |
Sweet aroma of vanilla, caramel, and some peat |
Taste | Rich sweetness reminiscent of vanilla and caramel, with a sense of maturity. Fruitiness such as pomegranate. Viscosity. Moderate smokiness. |
Aftertaste | Bitter chocolate-like sweet bitterness lingers moderately. |
Alcohol content | 59% |
By Liquor | Single malt whisky |
Cask type | Sherry cask |
Content volume | 700ml |
Number of bottles sold | Limited edition of 287 bottles |
Suggested Retail Price | 14,080 yen (tax included) |
Release Date | 2021 |
Our Take
It is characterized by an elegant sweetness. While the sherry cask characteristics are quite colorful, you can certainly taste the malt flavor, the sense of maturity, and the 59° alcohol.
Both the aroma and taste are sweet at first. After that, malt and fruit flavors appear.
When a small amount of water is added, the sweetness of the aroma and taste is even stronger, while the alcohol taste fades and the beer becomes gentler to drink.
We recommend drinking it straight or toasting it up. We hope you will enjoy the rich sweetness and alcohol taste straight up, and then gradually add more water to enjoy the changes.
Single Cask Komagatake” is currently sold on a regular basis. However, since it is limited to a very small number of bottles, it seems to be quite difficult to obtain. If you have a chance to drink it, I would like to compare them.
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