The history and evolution of the Japanese Whisky scene can be traced back to one man, Masataka Taketsuru; a man known as the 'father of Japanese whisky'. Taketsuru not only left Japan to learn the craft from the experts in Scotland, he also crafted Japan's first whisky at the Yamazaki distillery before establishing the premium whisky house of Nikka in 1934. This unique bottling of 'From the Barrel' is a breathtaking blend of malt and grain whiskies that are hand selected, blended together and then reintroduced to cask upon their marriage. The result is a blend that possesses a distinctive personality characterised by solidity, depth of taste and a richly expanding aroma.

The Nikka Coffey Malt is the result of a unique distillation process in Coffey type column stills, which are normally used for grain whisky production.As such, this unique 100% Coffey malt is categorized as a grain whisky, and offers a surprisingly rich texture with deep oaky notes.

Helios Distillery in Okinawa Japan has been known for producing rums and awamori for a few decades. Little do people know that theyve been distilling their own whisky for a while and use their rum casks to finish this unique line of new blended whisky. An interesting addition to the world of Japanese whisky. Nose: Toasted oak and a touch of moss, creamy lemon and soft malt. Palate: Brown sugar, burnt oak again (now with a touch of earthiness to it), lime marmalade. Finish: Rye bread and a touch of bitter grape.

One of the most renowned shochu products in Japan, the First Generation Kamekura, is distilled from locally sourced ‘Nijo’ barley from the Okayama Prefecture and longterm-aged in first-fill sherry barrels to create a delightfully rich and elegant tasting Shochu that swells into a fragrant, fruity, creamy, sherry-bomb. Packaged in Mino ware pottery made in the eastern part of Mino, mainly in Toki City and Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture. The nose is rich, bready, stewed pear, tinned peach, and Pedro Ximénez sherry. Bold notes of sherry and spice on the palate; give way to barley, wood, stone fruit, shiraz, plum, fig, and blackberry jam. An elegant finish of vanilla, spice, tart plum, and McWilliam’s Cream Apera. Lingers on the palate.

Fuji whiskey was born out of a joint venture in 1972 between Kirin Brewery, Chivas brothers and Seagram and Sons to identify the optimal site for a new whisky distillery in Japan. The water in this whisky comes from snowmelt run-off from Mount Fuji, which takes about 50 years to cycle. A proprietary yeast is used for fermenting the various grains over a 72 hour fermentation period. Three distillation formats are employed: column (lighter style), batch kettle (medium style) and pot still (heavy style). The whiskey is aged in medium to high char ex bourbon barrels, refill and virgin oak. It is non–chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

A sweeter style of Scotch, Glenkinchie is bright gold in colour and very approachable. The nose carries aromas of vanilla, citrus and wild flowery and is reflected on the palate and supported by a surprisingly creamy texture.

Mars Maltage Cosmo Blended Malt Whisky is an amber gold in colour. On the nose are hints of spicy stewed pears, walnut slices, and prunes. It is a light-to-medium bodied whisky with malt flavours and a smokey but sweet overlay. The finish is long with a mildly oily but spicy flavour. Mars Maltage Cosmo Blended Malt Whiskey is aged in sherry, bourbon, and American White Oak new casks. Cosmo is named after a mountain in the Japan Central Alps close to the Mars Whisky Distillery.

Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Whisky is a Japanese blend of 25% corn whisky and 75% malt whisky. Mars Iwai Tradition was aged in a combination of bourbon, sherry and American white oak casks which gives it a distinctively rich and full bodied finish. Rich gold in colour, Mars Iwai has a complex fragrance of sweet honey and malt. Notes of burnt sugar cane, sweet peat, orange marmalade, cedar and cigar can be enjoyed. In the Miyata village on Kuyshu Island is the Shinshu distillery (aka "Mars"), founded in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo. Shinshu’s whisky is distilled only during the island's harsh winters. In operation from 1985-1992 and then 2011 to present, this is actually Shuzo's third domestic distillery. The previous have been the Yamanashi Distillery (1960-1969) and the Mars Kagoshima Distillery (1978-1984).

Supported by the expertise of Malt Master David Stewart, this is the result of apprentice malt master Kelsey McKechnies fearless approach to new ideas married with a genuine respect for the craft. A story of flavour and flame.