"One for no age statement naysayers... Eloquent & beautiful." - whiskyadvocate.com Back in 2015, Nikka announced they were discontinuing their age statement and No Age Statement (NAS) releases for the Yoichi and Miyagikyo labels and consolidating them into two new bottlings. These whiskies have now arrived in Australia. Two NAS versions that differ slightly to the previous versions now represent the entire portfolio. It was yet another move that triggered a buying rush. Reports have it that Tokyo is now pretty much out of age statement Japanese whiskies, unless you visit bars or auction houses. Nikka's reasons for the radical new strategy are now familiar. They simply have no old stocks to sell. Decades ago, both local and world demand for Japanese malts was low, so few barrels were being laid down for extended periods. Stefan Van Eycken, writing for www.nonjatta.com explains "...there were years, at both Yoichi and Miyagikyo distillery, when the barrels laid down for maturation could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The ‘stock shortage’ is not an excuse or a PR stunt – it’s very real. Sources within Nikka have said that it is ‘likely’ that age-statement single malts will be brought back in 5 or 6 years’ time. No official statement to that effect has been made for the simple reason that doing so – in Japan – would be interpreted as a promise (which could come back to haunt them in 6 years’ time)." The dropping of age statements doesn't always translate into a drop in quality. Early reviews for both releases have been very positive. Evidently, Chief blender Tadashi Sakuma has risen to the challenge of creating a great assemblage from a restricted inventory.

Mars Cosmo is aged in Sherry, Bourbon, and American white oak casks. Cosmo, is the name of a mountain in the Japan Central Alps, closed to the Mars Shinshu distillery. This is a limited bottling of Cosmo, which has been extra-seasoned in red wine casks. Shiny ruby red colour is extracted from red wine casks. On the nose, fruitiness and warm spiciness are present. It has a soft round mouth feel, and Umami from the red wine cask interact very well with Cosmo's ripe fruit character with vanilla and cinnamon flavours as a result of further maturation in red wine casks. A long finish with elegant tannins and black tea.

Komasa Gin is the craft gin label proudly presented by Komasa Jyozo, a shochu distillery in Kagoshima, Japan with over 130 years of distilling history. Gin and shochu both share the fact that they are distilled spirits. Drawing on decades of distilling expertise and know-how accumulated through making shochu, the distillery unveiled a new line of gins in 2018. Komasa Jyozo uses their rice shochu as the base for Komasa Gin, to which they add juniper berries and as few other ingredients as possible in order to let the main botanicals shine on their own. Komasa Jyozo’s goal is to utilize and express the natural fragrances and flavours of their quality ingredients to the fullest. With Komasa Gin, they hope they have hit upon a revolutionary style of gin that is eminently easy to drink and perfect for everyone. A wonderful tea-infused gin from Komasa Jyozo, the Hojicha expression is infused with juniper berries, shochu, Japanese cypress and roasted tea leaves from Kagoshima, which is one of Japan’s most famous tea producing regions. Roasting the green tea means that the caffeine bitterness is eliminated, making for a more aromatic, mellow flavour. Pair the gin with soda or even hot water in the same way you would with tonic for an intriguing, fragrant tipple. Roasted leafy green tea alongside earthy juniper, leading into a touch of sweetness and a fragrant, woody finish.

The Tokinoka Black Blended Japanese Whisky is a truly remarkable expression of Japanese whisky making. Crafted by Tokinoka, a renowned distillery based in Japan, this 500ml bottle boasts a rich and complex blend of malt and grain whiskies, aged in a variety of casks to create a unique and harmonious flavor profile. On the nose, this whisky offers enticing aromas of sweet honey, toasted oak, and delicate floral notes, with a subtle hint of smoke. The color is a deep amber, with golden highlights that catch the light. On the palate, the Tokinoka Black is smooth and full-bodied, with layers of flavors including caramel, vanilla, and dried fruits, balanced by a touch of spice. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering warmth and a hint of citrus. This blend showcases the mastery of Japanese whisky making and is a must-try for any whisky connoisseur. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to fully experience its complex and delightful flavors.