Nine Leaves has been a shining star from Japan calling out to the rum world, ever since Yoshiharu Takeuchi, with no background in distilling, decided to challenge himself to producing artisanal rums in the Shiga Prefecture in Japan, a place with itself no history of distilling whatsoever. 

Rums are not foreign to Japan, and numerous distilleries in Japan do produce the cane spirit, and yet most of them tend to be intrinsically tied to sugar producers, particularly in Okinawa. These sugar companies whose main business is in producing Okinawa's famous black sugars from sugarcane, tend to distill rums as an extension to their sugar-making. Yet for Takeuchi-san, he wanted to fully focus on producing the best quality rums he could - it might not be his full time gig (he helms his family's manufacturing business), but it sure wasn't a side gig either.

He was fully invested in producing exceptional rums, and he had succeeded by most accounts in producing highly promising and distinct rums. His dedication to making rums too was exceptional and highly artisanal, and remarkably impressive.

| Read: One Man, Nine Leaves

Yet, what he had hoped would be passed on from generation to generation, would unfortunately see its final distillation run in 2023, after a spectacular 10 years of operation. Ultimately, an abrupt increase in commitment needed for the family's business left Takeuchi-san unable to fully dedicate himself to producing great rums, and thus it has been announced that he would no longer operate Nine Leaves Distillery. His rums and presence will surely be missed! 

Nevertheless, it has been announced that the last of his rums, up until his last distillation in 2023, have been sold to Velier, one of the foremost co-bottler and distributor of rums worldwide.

Velier has thus bottled them into the Unsun Karuta Collection, paying homage to a traditional Japanese card game. From 2024 and on, Nine Leaves' last stocks of rum will be bottled with each label unveiling a new card from the game's set piece. "Famous for its deck decorated with characters, symbols and mythical beasts, Unsun Karuta is a Japanese card game that originated in the Edo Period, likely influenced by the introduction of European playing cards to the country by 16th century Portuguese traders." 

Nine Leaves 2023 Last Drops

Black Sugar Rum, 62% ABV, 950 Bottles. 

This expression, named Last Drops, was bottled from the last distillate produced at Nine Leaves before it closed in 2023. A delicious combination of power and gentleness, it stands out in particular for its oxidative character and flavours of fresh cane juice.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Colourless

Aroma: Rich, unctuous. Revealing aromas of honey, cane sugar, rose poivr.e perfume and apricot, the aroma palette is very concentrated. This original opening discourse is drawn out with aniseed and menthol notes. The whole ensemble is then covered in a fine layer of liquorice.

Taste: Taut, lively. The flavour palette is lively and orotund, and at first demands to be tamed. It then becomes creamier and reveals flavours of ffresh cane juice, lemon and fermentation (mash). Gradually, medicinal (elastoplast, mustard poultice) and mustard develop.

Finish: Long, energetic. Moving distinctly closer to the sugar cane and its fibrous character, the tasting takes a more unctuous direction (almond, hazelnut). On the retro-nasal olfaction, any resemblance with a floral and herbaceous malted barley distillate are but a figment of the imagination.

Nine Leaves 2017, 7 Year Old, Bourbon Barrel

Black Sugar Rum, 59% ABV, 530 Bottles. 

This expression aged in ex-bourbon casks boasts incredible balance. The flavour and aroma palette beams not only for its tropical character but also for the perfectly integrated noble wood and indestructibly fresh expression.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Copper

Aroma: Fine, ethereal. Supported by notes of sandalwood and eucalyptus, the aroma palette opens with tropical fruits (mango, persimmon), roasted notes and praline. Allowed to breathe, florals (lily, freesia) coat delicate aromas of cane sugar and marshmallow in their heady fragrances.

Taste: Svelte, clear. At first, coconut, mandarin, apricot bonbon and toffee flavours pair together wonderfully. The flavour palette then moves into more vegetal (ripe sugarcane) and peppery (Sichuan) tones.

Finish: Long, refined. Continuing on from the palate, cane honey gradually envelops the taste buds. This rich sensation is quickly counterbalanced by more tangy notes of lemon, orange and apricot. The retro-nasal olfaction combines vanilla, liquorice and delicate vegetal notes of tobacco.

Nine Leaves 2017, 7 Year Old, Russian Virgin Oak

Black Sugar Rum, 58% ABV, 530 Bottles. 

This expression, aged in virgin Russian oak casks, eager to travel, ventures first into the world of great Rivesaltes and Jurancon sweet wines. Next, it takes on a wonderful herbaceous feel and bounds through the Highlands of Scotland.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden Yellow

Aroma: Full, smooth. With lots of fruit (Mirabelle plum, pear, apple), medicinal notes (balm, elastoplast), honey (acacia) and empyreumatic notes (burnt wood, incense), the aroma palette is especially bright. Allowed to breathe, more vinous (Muscat, Petit Manseng) and fibrous (sugarcane) registers develop.

Taste: Lively, distinguished. The flavour palette is gradually covered in a pleasant herbaceous bitterness (cut hay, lucerne). With remarkable freshness, the focus gradually shifts to creamy vanilla and salt.

Finish: Long, silky. Resting now on a chocolate bitterness, the tasting takes us to the heart of a sugarcane field, while cane sugar spreads across the palate. The dense retro-nasal olfaction reveals vanilla, fibre, syrup and ginseng root.

Nine Leaves 2016, 8 Year Old, American Oak

Black Sugar Rum, 59% ABV, 126 Bottles. Single Cask #7 Refill Cask.

This expression was aged in a second-fill American oak cask and is at once refined, stripped back, generous and enchanting. With lots of maturity and yet still maintaining the youthful freshness of its early years, the flavour and aroma palette is driven by a very delicate tropical dimension.

Official Tasting Notes 

Colour: Burnished Gold

Aroma: Rich, heady. Iris butter, grapefruit, fresh walnut and vanilla open the nose. The aroma palette is very concentrated and becomes fruitier (pineapple, banana), fresher (white mint) and more medicinal (ointment).

Taste: Firm, powerful. Overflowing with energy, the flavour palette returns first to the lemon and honey notes found on the nose. Warm cane sugar then slowly pours across the tongue. This pleasant freshness is reinforced by the arrival of numerous aromatic plants (sage, lime blossom, mimosa).

Finish: Long, distinguished. Finding its fulcrum, the tasting now ventures into tropical lands (kaffir lime, yellow kiwi, banana, coconut). The deliciously vanilla retro-nasal olfaction adds a sprinkling of sweet spices (cinnamon, ginger).

Nine Leaves 2014, 10 Year Old, American Oak

Black Sugar Rum, 59% ABV, 126 Bottles. Single Cask #5 Refill Cask.

This bottling distilled in 2014 and aged in a second-fill American oak cask is the grand finale in a tasting dedicated to the now-iconic brand. Revealing wonderful fullness, the flavour and aroma palette stands out for its beautiful fruity rancio and abundant noble spices.

Official Tasting Notes  

Colour: Deep Burnished Gold

Nose: Refined, precise. Revealing pepper, tropical fruits (pineapple), creamy yoghurt notes, fibrous sugarcane notes and powdery ginger and coconut, the aroma palette beams with maturity and freshness. Allowed to breathe, arnica, camphor, smoked lard and rancio (apricot, curry) fill the air.

Taste: Clean, lively. The flavour palette is sharp and paints a vivid picture of a premium bourbon. Rivalling each other in intensity, deeply powerful flavours of distillate, orange zest, squash and cane honey bring huge nobility.

Finish: Long, full. Drawing out the palate, the finish moves naturally into registers focused on honey (heather, lime blossom), spices (cardamom) and chocolate (tonka bean). On the retro-nasal olfaction, a lovely note of vesou appears alongside gentian root and salted butter caramel.