Amidst this swirling maelstrom of praise and adulation for Japanese craft distilleries, I've always felt that Shizuoka Distillery’s offerings have remained rather underrated.

Two years ago when I first got a taste of the inaugural releases, the Prologue K, Prologue W and then Contact S. I remember it well; the initial sip was a revelation - a solidly enjoyable whisky that had me raising an eyebrow and tipping my glass in appreciation. At just 3 years of age, Shizuoka’s whiskies were already quite complex and compelling.

Fast forward to this year, Shizuoka Distillery unveiled their new United S. Jeremiah, the friendly whisky savant from Samsu Huay Kuan, is the appointed distributor for Shizuoka in Singapore always has the latest bottles for us to try. And let me tell you, these taste tests are an experience worth taking.

"United S," stands as the symbol of unity between two distinct spirits - the Pot Still "W" and "K" whiskies. Pot Still W comes from the distillery's iconic wood-fired Forsyths still – and is said to have more unusual character due to the natural inconsistencies of using a direct flame. The Pot Still K, on the other hand, is a vintage still that comes from the legendary Karuizawa Distillery itself. The whisky made with Pot Still K is a nod to the elegance of the whisky from this legendary distillery.

Just like its predecessor, the Contact S, the crafting of United S focuses on balance and harmony. The raw ingredients used are Japanese barley malt, Scottish non-peated and peated malt, and beer malt. The spirit is aged in first-fill bourbon and wine barrels, and matured for 3 years. The United S will probably represent the profile of this young distillery moving forward.

So, here we are, two bottles, two journeys. Let's dive in, shall we? From the Contact S to the United S, it's about time we reexplore Shizuoka's work. 

Shizuoka Contact S Single Malt, 55.5% ABV – (Re-)Review

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Carries a richness that reminds one of a well-stocked pantry, brimming with varied fruits and a hint of spice. Honeyed notes at the forefront, paired seamlessly with a crisp apple-like sweetness akin to Martinelli’s clarified apple juice. It's layered with elements of cream, caramel, and the comforting scent of buttered toast. It possesses a distinct character, reminiscent of a Highland Scotch, particularly in the orange cake-like aroma. Lingering behind is a slight spearmint sting that reveals the alcoholic strength.

Palate: The palate is expressive, rich in a way that matches its nose. The malt carries a honeyed note, once again, familiar, dependable spices. Its texture is nicely waxy. The initial taste brings forth the sweetness caramel stewed apples, transitioning swiftly to tea biscuits and a well-baked croissant. A distinctive tea note and a hint of dry peat add a final touch. A noticeable warmth is present at the back of the tongue.

Finish: The finish is marked by a tangy note of citrus, gently layered with the sweetness of barley sugar. A hint of banana milkshake brings a touch of playful complexity. The light peatiness, and dry oakiness becomes more obvious as the sweetness departs.

My Thoughts:

Once again, I consider Shizuoka's Contact S a robust whisky with great character and great flavour. It carries a balance of flavours that does not overpower, offering a fair amount of complexity without creating a hurdle for the drinker. As mentioned in my earlier review, this whisky has broad appeal. It doesn't strive for unusual complexity, but rather for reliability and a certain level of satisfaction, which it delivers very well.

| Based in Singapore? You can grab a bottle of the Contact S here.

| If you are based outside Singapore, you can grab a bottle here.

Now, let’s see what’s different in its successor.

Shizuoka United S Single Malt, 50.5% ABV – Review

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Also incredibly expressive, but this variant offers a rich, indulgent twist on the fruity base we observed in the Contact S. It amplifies the apple-caramel duet, reminiscent of caramel-dipped apples. It also it weaves in the mellow sweetness of ji hong gao (a Chinese tapioca mochi), providing a distinct, comforting richness. The familiar scent of orange cake and the additional touch of nougat play a part. This is a much smoother nosing experience as well, devoid of any prickliness or spear-mint like sensation.

Palate: Upon tasting, United S pulls of an even richer narrative. The profile is noticeably smoother than the Contact S, and the flavours are surprisingly more obvious. It shares all the honeyed maltiness, caramel, vanilla, stewed apples, and baked goods' flavours with its counterpart, but it also introduces a mellow mochi-like note commingled with subtle chocolate malt notes. The peatiness in the background is subdued and much lighter.

Finish: The finish is perhaps a little shorter and less dry. It features the familiar barley sugar, now accompanied by aromatic sandalwood and subtle spices. It doesn’t have the same dry oakiness seen in the Contact S, leading to a smoother finale.

My Thoughts

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This is an excellent reiteration of the Contact S-style. At first brush, you might find that the two share a lot of commonalities. But upon a closer look, it’s quite obvious that the United S introduces certain tweaks. Any austere notes (like peatiness, mintiness, etc) have been subdued, while indulgent notes have been enhanced. So it gives an experience that is more expressive, well-rounded and slightly more mature. It also exhibits very little heat, making it an approachable drink.

I can’t say that this is objectively better than its predecessor the Contact S. But I can say for sure that this flavour profile would be more appreciated by perhaps the majority of whisky drinkers.

| Based in Singapore? You can grab a bottle of the United S here.

@CharsiuCharlie