Japanese Whisky

Region: Japan/World
Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Size: 700 ml

The Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky is made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a small distillery in Japan which has recently set up the new Asaka Whisky Distillery under their company as well. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times. 

Tasting Notes: Orange blossoms on the nose, followed by oak, caramel, and fresh orchard fruit on the palate. Easy on the nose and palate, this is a very gentle whisky with an upfront sweetness that stays on the palate followed by dark chocolate in the finish.

Region: Japan / World
Distillery: Yamazakura, Sasanokawa Shuzo / World
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Size: 700 ml

The Yamazakura 'Precious' Blended Japanese Whisky is made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a small distillery in Japan. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times. 

This 'Precious' Blended Japanese Whisky includes a rich selection of malt whiskies in the blend delivering a more velvety palate and notes of vanilla, honey, apricots with an elegant sweetness balanced with malty cereals.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yoichi & Miyagikyo
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Size: 700 ml

Taketsuru Pure Malt range of whiskies from Nikka is a range of blended/vatted malt whiskies named in honor of Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka (He is also generally considered as the father of Japanese whisky). While most of the age statements in the Taketsuru range have now been discontinued, this non age statement remains one of Nikka’s signature whiskies, which showcases the art of blending with an exquisite balance of flavors. "Gentle malt flavor, fruitiness and extremely well-balanced taste make it a perfect entry point into the world of Nikka." - Nikka Website.

A 2020 release of about 264,000 bottles, and with a reportedly higher proportion of Yoichi Single Malt this bottling is likely to replace the older label of the Taketsuru Pure Malt . Subtle smoke with a balance of oak spices and vanilla floral notes.

Please note that there is no box available.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yoichi
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
Size: 700 ml

Yoichi is Nikka’s first distillery which was built in 1934. Nikka's founder Masataka Taketsuru was keen on making whisky which was similar to scotch given his training in Scotland. Hokkaido was a obvious choice was this distillery given the similar climactic  environment as Scotland. Yoichi Single Malt is characterized by subtle peat smoke originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation combined with the hint of saltiness delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process.

Please note that NO BOX is available.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Miyagikyo
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
Size: 700 ml

The new single malt from the Miyagikyo Distillery of Nikka is a vatting of various aged whiskies matured in primarily ex-Sherry casks. Color: Gold Nose: Full flavoured and rich floral notes, beeswax and tropical fruits Palate: Malty cereal balanced with spices such as cinnamon, some ginger and chocolate at the back. Finish: Some tobacco with cooked fruits with a lingering softness. 

Please note that no box is available.

Region: Japan/World
Distillery: Asaka Distillery & 4 World Whisky Distilleries
Age: NAS
ABV: 47%
Size: 700ml

A world blended whisky which combines Whisky from the Asaka Distillery owned by Sasanokawa Shuzo & 4 other unnamed distilleries from different whisky regions around the world. The key malt comes from the Asaka Distillery.

Tasting Notes: A hint of maple syrup and floral notes on the nose combined with a rich malt on the palate with some cereal notes, hint of spices and and subtle smoky aftertaste.

Region: Japan/World
Distillery: Yamazakura, Sasanokawa Shuzo/World
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
Size: 700 ml

A pure malt whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo featuring notes of cherry, oak combined with an earthiness. The "Pure Malt" indicates that no grain whisky has been used for this bottling and features a greater component of Sherry Cask Matured whiskies . Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times. 

Nose: Sweet caramel with fresh green apples, tropical fruits like banana and cherry crumble pie. Palate: On the palate, some definitive sherry notes along with creamy vanilla and nuts. Finish: Subtle peat that rears its head towards the finish. A balanced vatting of malts with an overall rounded profile.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yamazaki & Hakushu & Chita
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Size: 700 ml

A harmonious blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita presented in the traditional Hibiki 24 faceted bottle.

Kindly note that there is no box available.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yamazaki
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Size: 700 ml 

The core expression from the Yamazaki Distillery, this Distiller's Reserve showcases the balance between the various casks used in the vatting for this bottling including sherry casks and mizunara oak. A golden hue with fresh fruits on the nose, a palate of raspberry, white peach and coconut and finish of spices such as cinnamon. 

Region: Japan & World
Distillery: Chichibu & Hanyu
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Size: 700 ml

This bottling from Ichiro Akuto has historically included malt from 2 distilleries - Chichibu & from his grandfather's distillery Hanyu.

Honeyed sweet berries with hint of aromatic spices on the nose. On the palate, again honey sweetness at the start, followed by ginger spice, malty and subtle oak.

Region: Japan & World
Distillery: Chichibu & Various World
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
Size: 700 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: N/A

ABV: 50%

Size: 700 ml

This is a 2023 Edition Single Malt Whisky which has been largely matured in Bourbon barrels. Nose: Fresh fruits such as grapes, green apples and baked cookie Palate: Vanilla sponge cake, some honey, melondrops with some notes of buttery citrus and plums Finish: Subtle smoke with lingering malty cereals. 

In 2022, the distillery won the "World's Best Blended Malt" at 2022 World Whisky Award and this is their Single Malt release for 2023.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: N/A

ABV: 50%

Size: 700 ml

This Single Malt Japanese Whisky distilled at the Asaka Distillery has been matured in New American Oak barrels which gives it a distintive flavour profile comprising Toffee, Caramel alongside Oak spices, Cinnamon and Black Pepper. A rich texture on the palate with a subtle cereal notes and a hint of dark chocolate and dry fruits to finish.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yamazaki & Hakushu & Chita
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Size: 700 ml

Released around September 2018, soon after the Hibiki 17 was discontinued, this is rumoured to/believed to be the "replacement". A harmonious blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita presented in the traditional Hibiki 24 faceted bottle and reportedly aged between 12 and 30 years with an average age of around 15 years.

Please note that no box is available. 

Region: Japan
Distillery: Yamazaki
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 720 ml

This bottling has been at the forefront of growth of Japanese Whisky. The US Version which is bottled at 750 ml vs the usual 700 ml. This Single Malt Whisky from Suntory has been winning several awards from the early years of 2003, 2010 - ISC Gold; 2009, 2013 - SWSC Double Gold, 2011 - IWSC Gold (best in class). With a beautiful golden hue, the palate brings out fresh tropical fruits, spices such as cloves & cinnamon, a hint of coconut (perhaps coming from the Mizunara Oak matured components of this whisky) with a long finish.

Please Note that No Box is available.

Region: Japan
Distillery: Hakushu
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 700 ml