Komasa Kagoshima (Strawberry) Japanese Gin
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. The sweet and refreshing aroma of strawberries with a deep and lingering finish of herbs. These seemingly contradictory personalities coexist without canceling each other out, and each sip will make you want to keep tasting this unique marriage. With the juiciness of strawberries shining through the intricately overlapping flavours, this is a gin that evokes the rich climate of tropical Kagoshima.
The Shin Serene Blended Japanese Whisky
Eigashima Shin Serene whisky is named after Mr. Hiraishi, the eighth generation of Eigashima Shuzo. Mild and soft as the fascination towards Seto Inland Sea, light and smooth on the palate, just exactly the same as Mr. Hiraishi’s natural disposition in gentleness.Based on the unique centuries-old whisky blending skills and the tradition of sake brewery of Eigashima, Shin Serene whisky is carefully made by Toji, also the chief executive of Eigashima sake brewery. As a blend of whisky aged 3 years in a combination of sherry, bourbon, and Japanese shochu barrels, the fusion is well balanced and sublimated to a new level.
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
Made from the blending of malts from the two distilleries of Yoichi and Miyagikyo, this whisky was the pride and joy of its creator Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Nikka and the father of Japanese Whisky. Light golden honey in colour with candied nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts on the nose as well as delicate and gentle smoke coming through with hay. Forward and straight pallet with juicy mouth feel, yet retaining a very gentle and sophisticated heat. Sweet apricots and peach dominate at first, leading to vanilla and subtle hints of ripe grape. Complex and long on the finish with lingering taste of dry herbs, leather and sweet pastry.
Kujira Ryukyu Inari Japanese Whisky
• Nose Apples, pears, tropical fruits, and hints of spices. •Palate Delicate oaks, figs, nuts, and butterscotch. • Finish Sweet and long finish, with pleasant fruity, herbal scent and woody texture. Kujira Ryukyu Whisky Series is owned by the Shin Group Corp., one of the biggest Japanese liquor distribution companies focusing on unique and high- quality Japanese whisky. The Kujira whisky are produced by Shin Group’s strategic partner, Masahiro Shuzo, in Okinawa. After the World War II, the demands of whisky from stationed U.S. military were very high. In order to satisfy the demands, some local distilleries tried to make whisky by rice, and age in oak barrels. Soon, the whisky was sought-after and given the name “Ryukyu Whisky” by stationed soldiers. All Kujira Whisky are distilled by 100% Indica rice and Okinawa’s unique “black koji” for the mashing before maturing in oak casks that give the whisky an unique character. Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands, which are a chain of subtropical islands. Thanks to the island’s warm climate, whisky takes less time to mature and thus has a stronger aroma and a bolder taste. The special flavor from Indica rice further gives the whisky a long and unique aftertaste. Kujira means “whale” in Japanese. The whale is a symbol of generosity and peace. Long plagued by war, the Ryukyu Islanders consider the whale as the guardian of peace and nature.
Nikka Whisky from the Barrel Japanese Whisky
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. With immediate aromas of cedar and maple, it has an exploding mouth-feel showcasing cinnamon, dark chocolate, pepper and toffee. Serve with a little water to reveal cacao and tingling spices.
Mars Shinshu 3 & 7 Blended Japanese Whisky
The Mars Three And Seven Japanese blended whisky takes its name from the whiskies used in the blend: a three-year-old grain spirit and a seven-year-old malt.Shinshu Mars distillery was founded by Hombo Shuzo, a Japanese shochu producer. Situated between the Northern and Southern Alps of Honshu, it is Japan's highest distillery.Nose: Light, green apple skins, marzipan, sandalwood.Palate: Sweet spice and subtle oak.Finish: Sweet spice with a hint of fennel and oak.
Ota Shuzo Dokan Daiginjo
This Dokan Daiginjo sake is a very fine and balanced version of Junmai Daiginjo - Daiginjo grades of sake are considered the ultimate test of a brewer’s skill. Expect floral and fruit driven styles of sake that can be elegant and delicate or complex and intriguing. This is super premium sake at it’s best without the super premium price tag. A bold fragrant nose leads to ripe melon & fennel aromas. The palate has a light touch of sweetness and a robust round mouthfeel. Great as an aperitif or with lighter styled dishes. Serve chilled. Once opened the Ota Shuzo 'Dokan Daiginjo' will last well for at least 3 - 4 weeks, ideally in a refrigerator.
Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky
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!
135 East Hyogo Dry Japanese Gin
135° EAST Hyogo Dry Gin is the result of the perfect balance between a London Dry style gin and the floral, citrus and spice touch of Japanese botanicals.A true Japanese spirit, with its blends of cedar, shiso leaf, chrysanthemum and most importantly of yuzu and sansho pepper combined with distilled sake spirit. A great gin, with traditional dry style botanicals such as juniper, coriander and angelica.135° EAST is named after the Akashi Meridian at 135 degrees east longitude which runs past our distillery in Akashi City. This gin marks the centenary of the start of the Yonezawa familys history in distilling fine Japanese craft spirits.
Kaijin Original Blended Japanese Whisky
"new release from Masahiro Distillery 1883 Okinawa Japan. KAIJIN - Means Ocean-Man - A refrence to the traditional japanese story of Sea-Man fighting the mythical sea monster on the island of Okinawa Japan. The lable and picture refrences this beautiful story. Made at masahiro distillery an 18th century family owned distillery, Okinawa is surrounded by sea, romances by mythical sea monter stories Kaijin represents this beautifully. Hand picked world malt, Distilled, Blended and aged for 3 years in ex sherry and bourban casks at Masahiro Distillery Japan.Tasting Note: Nose soft warm caramel, butterscotch and lifted citrus. Palate is refershing lifted citrus peel with slightly sweet aromas and milk chocolate. Finish is long and lingering, very approachable and easy to drink. AWARDS GOLD SFWFC 2023 "