June 19, 2021 “Single Malt Whisky Shizuoka Prologue W” was released.

The number of bottles sold is 5,000, the same number as the previous one, Prologue K. The suggested retail price is 8,943 yen (tax included), which is relatively affordable compared to other Japanese whiskeys released by craft distilleries these days.

The Bottle

A gorgeous, full-bodied, and powerful flavor created by a bulge-type “wood-fired direct distillation machine.

W is the nickname for the one and only wood-fired distiller. There are only a limited number of open-flame distillers in the world, and the only one of its kind in the world is the wood-fueled distiller. Local woodcutters carefully chop the thinned coniferous trees from Shizuoka’s rich mountain life into firewood, one by one, reviving a distilling technique that dates back more than 200 years, and distilling whiskey by burning wood.

The result is a whiskey with a gentle aroma, a strong body, a light smokiness, and a long, gentle finish. Please enjoy the thick flavor that only a direct wood fire can provide.

Our Take

The taste is completely different from the previous Prologue K. I was surprised to find out that different distillers can make such a difference.

Both the aroma and taste have a clear outline, and you can feel the individuality of the malt.

The moderate peatiness of the Scottish peated malt and the elaborate wood-fired direct distillation give it a rich and delicious flavor, but also a gorgeous and fruity taste.

When I visited the distillery in March of this year, I was told by Another bottle will be released before the end of the year! I was told by Mr. Daikou Nakamura that the distillery has been in operation for over 20 years.

So far, no concrete information has been released, but I can’t help but look forward to seeing what kind of whiskey it will be.

(All Images Courtesy of JPWhisky.net)

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