Hiroshima's Sakurao Distillery, with its fascinating duality - one half of its whiskies age coastal by the Seto Sea (Sakurao), whilst the other half rests in what was once a train tunnel nestled in the humid Chugoku Mountain (Togouchi) - isn't one for pomp, and so each release has come slow yet steady. Yet, it does appear that the distillery is winning folks over, demonstrating its ability to produce great whiskies which are released when ready and not necessarily on schedule.

Beyond Sakurao's flagship expressions the Sakurao Japanese Single Malt and Togouchi Japanese Single Malt, the distillery runs a limited edition series named the Stillman's Selection, which is alittle bit of the distillery's version of a distiller's cut or something along those lines. 

Each brand, Sakurao and Togouchi, has alternated to release a Stillman's Selection, with now a second coming from Sakurao - the Sakurao Stillman's Selection Spanish Oak.

"Located on the ocean side, Sakurao Warehouse has a large temperature difference between summer and winter, allowing aging to proceed quickly in barrels bathed in the sea breeze. A variety of casks are also used to age a wide variety of malt whiskeys. Stillman tasted numerous malt whiskeys and selected the best-conditioned "Sherry Cask" to blend into the single malt Japanese whiskey, Sakurao SHERRY CASK STILLMAN'S SELECTION. Among the SHERRY CASK aged in the hottest and most extreme temperature range of the Sakurao Warehouse, we discovered a malt whiskey with a mellow aroma and spicy aftertaste. Stillman's eye was drawn to the "Spanish Oak" variety, which he selected and bottled to create the single malt Japanese whiskey Sakurao SPANISH OAK STILLMAN'S SELECTION."

And so with the new expression, the distillery talks of how within the subset of Sherry cask aged Sakurao whiskies, they've decided to focus on only the Spanish Oak variety for this release.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark amber with a slight reddish tint.

Aroma: Smoky, dates, bitter chocolate.

Taste: Dates, strawberries, subtle saltiness.

Finish: A long-lasting finish with rich sweetness and refreshing peat aroma.

ABV: 50% ABV

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team