Nagahama Roman Distillery, Japan's tiniest craft whiskymaker and also craft beer brewery, is many things and being adventurous is most definitely one of them!

Never one to turn down the opportunity to do something unique, the distillery and brewpub that sits along the shores of Lake Biwa is celebrating iconic Japanese coffee roaster Tohoku Bankokusha's 65th Anniversary with a limited release of a pair of Coffee Cask aged Japanese single malts!

With the tagline "Cheries Moments of Relaxation", the pair of whiskies are saisd to deliver fresh and aromatic coffee notes, and will be available from January 20th 2026.

Nagahama Distillery says that for the anniversary, they've attempted to bring about the ultimate marriage of aromas by using Bourbon barrels that have been previously imbued with a roasted coffee aroma of Bankoku Coffee's coffee beans to age Nagahama's single malt whisky. Coffee beans were stored in these Bourbon barrels which were then subsequently filled with Nagahama's peated and unpeated malt whiskies, which were then allowed to age for 3 months. The result is said to be a luxurious finish that blends coffee with the deep malt aroma of whisky.

Bankokusha (Bankoku Coffee) was founded in 1960 and has been formative to growing the new wave of coffee culture in the Tohoku region for 65 years, having first started out as a wholesaler through its own roasting factory to now delivering coffee to a wide audience through its online shop and directly managed cafes.

"To us, coffee is like a family that always accompanies us. We approach roasting with a desire to cherish moments of relaxation and spaces where people gather. We aim to maximize the quality of the ingredients by closely observing changes that cannot be measured numerically—the breathing, popping sound, color, and aroma of the beans. While maintaining the roasting techniques we've inherited since our founding, we have also taken on new challenges, such as developing barrel-aged coffee and growing coffee in Yamagata. We strive to deliver the best possible cup of coffee in all aspects of production, roasting, and brewing, and to continue to bring that joy to coffee lovers and those we meet in the future."

Single Malt Nagahama Coffee Cask Non-Peat Cask Strength #3656

Bottled at 57.6% ABV with a total outturn of 334 bottles (500ml), the Single Malt Nagahama Coffee Cask Non-Peat Cask Strength #3656 is priced at 17,000 Yen (US$108.80) 

Official Tasting Notes

Color: Brilliant deep amber.

Aroma: Extremely rich aromas of espresso and dark chocolate. The sweet aromas of vanilla and caramel from the bourbon barrels are powerfully integrated with the roasted aroma of deeply roasted coffee.

Taste: The bitterness of dark roasted coffee dominates, followed by the creamy sweetness of malt and aromas of toffee and maple.

Finish: The finish is long and warm, with the bitterness and sweetness of the coffee lingering, while the spice of the cacao nibs from the barrels rounds out the aftertaste. A unique and luxurious marriage reminiscent of the finest "barrel-aged coffee."

Nagahama Single Malt Coffee Cask Peated Cask Strength #3657

Bottled at 55.9% ABV with a total outturn of 376 bottles (500ml), the Single Malt Nagahama Coffee Cask Non-Peat Cask Strength #3657 is priced at 17,000 Yen (US$108.80) 

Official Tasting Notes

Color: Deep, calm amber.

Aroma: A strong base of roasted coffee aromas, followed by the gentle peat smoke of Nagahama malt. A complex, savory aroma reminiscent of burnt sugar and bonfire.

Taste: The bitterness of coffee is complemented by earthy peaty nuances reminiscent of soil and ash. The mouthfeel is smooth, with a beautiful balance of coffee, malt sweetness, and peat spiciness.

Finish: The finish is very long, with a lingering smoky peat aroma and coffee bitterness that lingers for a long time. A challenging and profound flavor that combines the roasted coffee aroma with smokiness.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team