Sasanokawa Shuzo Co. Ltd was founded in 1765 and started producing whisky in 1946. The Yamazakura is a ji-whisky made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co.This particular Black Label bottle is a new Yamazakura product that was released in 2015. Smooth after taste is refreshing with a hint of sweetness. Enjoyable both on the rocks or neat.

Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky 40% 700mlDistillery: Sasanokawa Shuzo Co. Asaka Distillery ABV: 40% Tasting notes:Orange blossoms on the nose, followed by oak, caramel, and fresh orchard fruit on the palate. Bringing serene balance and depth, this is a bottle from Japans new generation distilleries.Yamazakura - Sasanokawa Shuzo Co. chose the name Yamazakura to launch the distillerys premium whisky range because it is a combination of two important Japanese symbols in culture and society: Yama is the Japanese term for mountain, signifying the strength and poise of the spirit, while Sakura refers to cherry-trees, to relate the ephemeral beauty of the stunning blossom to the quality and sophistication of the whisky.About the Distillery:Sasanokawa Shuzos sake and shochu making dates back all the way to 1710. However, almost 200 years later, they decided to dive into the whisky making market in 1946 thus setting up Asaka Distillery. Their quality was able to stand toe to toe with large rivals like Nikka and Suntory in the northeast region of Japan. Most importantly, Sasanokawa Shuzo were also the ones who famously helped Ichiro Akuto (Ichiros Malt / Hanyu Distillery) save his whisky stocks and allowing him to build the Ichiros Malt brand. The distillerys mash tun and 5 washbacks are all stainless steel. Unlike other Japanese whisky distilleries using imported Forsyths stills, Asaka went with two copper pot stills made right here in Japan by Miyake Seisakusho. The wash still is 2000L, and spirit still 1000L, both using percolators for heating. The whisky is mostly non-peated and will be rested in primarily bourbon casks but also some sherry and wine casks.It's worth noting that the Chichibu Distillery and the Asaka Distillery have a relationship. Ichiro Akuto-san asked Sasanokawa Shuzo to store the leftover casks of the defunct Hanyu Distillery until he could get Chichibu up and running. So basically, Chichibu owes Asaka a favor! Ichiro Akuto-san brought back most of the casks and released his now highly sought after first release, the Ichiros Malt Series (otherwise known as the card series!). In fact, the Sasakanokawa Shuzo facility still has Hanyu casks in storage!

Yoichi Single Malt is described as bold and strong. Pleasant peaty notes and smokiness originate from traditional direct coal-fired distillation accented with a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the ageing process.

Yamazaki Whisky is the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan. Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt, multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas. Yamazaki 18 Year Old is rich with mature autumn fruit resulting in a blackberry, strawberry and dark chocolate palate and long, spicy, smooth finish.

WABIGIN literally means beautiful Japanese woman. The producer, Hombo Shuzo, has spent considerable time and effort that has resulted in the creation of a unique and truly premium Japanese Gin. All 9 botanicals are grown locally in Kagoshima Prefecture in South Japan on the island of Kyushu. It is aromatic, fresh and an elegant style of Gin with its unique Japanese element.Limited release.

Delicate flavour of rice and briskness of high acidity. Fulfilled the best balanced sake, good match with Kyoto cuisine.

Use only "Omachi Rice" which is the source of all brewer's rice. It has a fruity ginjo aroma and a profound taste which you can never get tired of drinking.

Hibiki 17 Year Old Whisky is produced with a combination of grain whisky and premium malts from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, which are often aged in very rare Japanese oak. This whisky is elegant and poised, slowly revealing a clear yet complex equilibrium. The bottle itself is a thing of beauty, with 24 faces, reflecting each of the seasons of the old Japanese Lunar calendar.

The Hakushu Distillery is know as the 'Mountain Forest Distillery' as it stands amidst fresh streams and lush forests. Built with the notion, 'Coexisting with nature', a bird sanctuary was set up to help preserve the natural environment, thus preserving the pristine water that goes into creating the whisky. The 12 year old single malt whisky has a crisp and vibrant taste and can be enjoyed on neat, on the rocks or with ice and soda water.

From Suntory's mountain forest distillery, Hakushu Whisky is the fresh and gently smoky single malt whisky with herbal notes that is the revelation of Japanese single malts. Hakushu 18 Year Old has a fresh deep aroma from long maturation resulting in a milk caramel and honey-like flavour on the palate and ripened fruit finish.