(Image Source: Nagahama Distillery)

Nagahama Distillery, a craft distillery housed in a craft beer brewery off of the spectacular Lake Biwa, is ready to launch their first single malt - The First Batch, which will feature a vatting of the distillery's own single malts.

Up until this release, Nagahama Distillery has only released single casks, but now, five years after the distillery was launched, the distillery is ready to release its first vatting of its single malts in the form of a single expression.

The distillery used a combination of single malts matured in Bourbon barrels, Sherry barrels, Islay quarter casks and Mizunara Oak Barrels, distilled between 2017 to 2019, which together was harmoniously blended into The First Batch.

(Image Source: Nagahama Distillery)

Official Tasting Notes

Color

Setting Sun on the shores of Lake Biwa

Aroma

Sweet vanilla, coconut, caramel, refreshing aromas of raspberry and cranberry over time.

Taste

Very smooth mouthfeel. Dry barrel flavors, freshly baked raisin sandwiches, dried apricot fruit. After that, a herbal essence reminiscent of tea.

Finish

The bitter and dry taste derived from the barrel tightens the whole.

The First Batch will carry a 50% ABV, with a total outturn of 12,000 bottles, at an RRP of 10,000 Yen (not including tax) or 70 USD, with a bottle volume of 500ml.

It will be released on 11 October, 2022 via an online registration here.

The lottery will be held from 13 September 2022 12PM till 18 September 2022 23:59 HR.

Nagahama Distillery was started in 2016 as part of the Nagahama Roman Beer Brewery's 20th anniversary project, and remains one of the smallest of Japan's craft whisky distilleries. Read more about Nagahama Distillery here!

Kanpai!

@111hotpot