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"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.

Mt. Fuji Distillery was established and commissioned in 1973, while most other Japanese distilleries followed the whisky product ion method of Scotland, Fuji took influence from major whisk(e)y countries all around the world. The Distillery has a unique location being situated 2034ft above sea level, temperature and altitude play a significant role in the final product showcasing unique flavours of a single grain whiskey. Fuji distillery uses highly purified water direct from Mt. Fuji that is used across the entire production process. It is said to be a 50 year process from Mountain to Distillery going through natural purification along the way resulting in crystal clear, pure and clean water. FUJI SINGLE BLENDED WHISKY Fuji Single Blended is the embodiment of Fuji Gotemba's commitment to creating unique Whisky. Single Blended is a blend of malt and three different types of grain whisky produced at the one site; Fuji Gotemba. Master Blender, Jota Tanaka uses a combination corn, rye and malted barley distilled across doubler, column, kettle and pot stills. This creates flavor profiles similar to Scotch, American and Canadian style whiskies. Unlike most other distilleries the entire production process from massing to bottling happens at Fuji's distillery.

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.

Hombo Shuzo Gensyu Yakusugi Shochu is crafted on the UNESCO heritage listed island called Yakushima south of Kyushu. Climate is very tropical and has beautiful clean soft water. It shows sweetness on the nose like mandarin, honey and fresh yoghurt. It has soft texture and is powerful impression at first followed by cleans sweet flavour with wonderful complex. In summer, enjoy this Shochu straight or over ice, or cold spring water. In winter, Shochu can be gently warmed or with a quality green tea.

Continuing 40 years of excellence in distilling Japanese grain whiskies at Chita distillery, the House of Suntory Whisky's Master Blenders have created an outstanding single grain whisky. In 1972, on the shores of Chita Peninsula, Keizo Saji—Suntory’s second Master Blender—built a distillery dedicated to creating the highest quality Japanese grain whisky. Born in September 2015, Suntory Single Grain Whisky Chita is completely different from the ordinary grain whiskies used in blended whisky. To imbue greater complexity and depth of flavour, Shinji Fukuyo chose to age Chita grain whisky in wine and Spanish Oak casks, in addition to American White Oak.The result is a milder, smoother grain whisky with unparalleled sophistication and a clean, clear finish. With versatile flavours and exquisite balance, Chita grain whiskies have traditionally been used as the "dashi" or broth that enhances the harmony of Suntory blends. Through continuous research and innovation, Chita’s grain whiskies have achieved an unrivalled sophistication and a level of complexity that lets them finally take centre stage.

White Oak Tokinoka Blended Japanese Whisky is produced in Hyōgo. In 1919, this distillery was the first to obtain a license for making whisky in Japan. Four years before the famous Yamazaki! The Tokinoka Blended Japanese Whisky is an expression of Japanese skills and expression of taste. It is a blend of 75% single malt and 25% grain. The nose has fruit aromas. The palate is soft to start, adding some strength with a little spice. Well balances. It finishes long of cream, malted barley, oak, and vanilla.

Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin is a uniquely Japanese expression of the classic English spirit. Master Distiller Alex Davies of the Kyoto Distillery uses a spirit base distilled from rice and adds botanicals like yellow yuzu, hinoki (cypress) wood chips, bamboo, gyokuro tea, and green sanshō (Japanese peppercorn) berries that are designated into: base, citrus, tea, herbal, spice, and floral. Each botanical category is steeped into the rice spirit, which is then individually distilled before blending together. It is brought to proof using water from Fushimi, known for its purity. Ki No Bi translates to "the beauty of the seasons"

Mars Shinshu was founded in 1949 but didn’t start making whisky until their distillery was nestled high in the Japanese Alps in 1985. Iwai is a blend of mostly corn and some malted barley. It is aged entirely in used bourbon barrels. A rich golden colour whisky with light, sweet, and floral fragrances with notes of dark cacao and sweet pear. A beautifully soft body and underlying flavours of allspice and dried fig. Aged in sherry, bourbon, and American white oaks.

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.