The Shinobu 15 year old Mizunara Cask Whisky is hand crafted by master distiller, Mr Usami. First matured in ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks, it is then finished in Japanese Mizunara oak. Mizunara is an expensive oak which is hard to craft into barrels, but it imparts incredible flavours on the spirit of Shinobu. This pure malt has been maturing for no less than 15 years which has allowed the spirit to take on some very inspiring characteristics. The result is a unique fusion of flavours and dynamic explosion on the palate yet so smooth and easy to drink. Deep rich in colour and complex in flavour, mellow oak wood aromas lead to flavours of honey and molasses, hints of blueberry and deep tones of the Mizunara oak. The palate has subtle ripe fruit, lemon zest, leather and cinnamon with a hint of sweet malt and aromas of fruity oak barrels.

Miyagikyo Single Malt is described as soft and fruity.Using less peaty malt, this whisky is distilled in a pot still heated by indirect steam at a low temperature. Miyagikyo Single Malt has an elegant fruitiness and a distinctive aroma with a strong Sherry cask influence.

Rich, but refreshing, medium intensity of aromas. Quality rice notes with some floral characters and marshmallow. Velvety texture, subtle,

In ancient times, the land around I-Lan in Taiwan was called Kavalan, a mysterious land that was solely inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavalan clan. The name was officially recognized by the Emperor of the Chin dynasty in the year of 1809 when the original city was also built under the same name. Kavalan had always been kept primitive and protected from the outside world by the Syue-shan mountain range which is abundant in high quality natural water that comes from deep within the mountain range. The mists of Kavalan and the spirits of the past have been created for you in this exquisite whisky. The water is drawn from springs in the surrounding mountains with their rich volcanic soil imparting a smooth and creamy mouth feel to the whisky. Matured in hand selected fresh American ex-Bourbon casks, the whisky is available at cask strength and non chill-filtered hence it retains a fuller flavour of a natural single malt whisky. Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon is a delightfully complex single malt whisky. Clean and fresh tropical fruits, vanilla and coconut on the nose lead to a smooth well balanced palate of vanilla and oak spice. This cask of Solist Ex Bourbon, was chosen and bottled exclusively for Australia, with only 179 bottles released.

Located high in the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, the Mars Shinshu distillery has beer brewery Minami Shishu Brewery as its neighbour. Both the whisky distillery and craft brewery use pure mineral water from the mountain in their facilities and production. Whisky maturation is encouraged by short hot summers, with long cold winters providing a slow and gentle maturation and a break. For the 2020 release of the Mars Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Single Malt Japanese Whisky, traditional oak barrels were used for the 3 year maturation. Following this, the single malt is aged further in casks used for the production of Indian Pale Ale. This provides a subtle and unique essence of beer character.

Suntory are one of the giants of world whisky owning several of Japan’s nine active distilleries as well as Bowmore, Laphroig & Auchentoshan in Scotland and Kilbeggan and Cooley in Ireland. A truly global expression Suntory World Whisky AO is a whisky release which features whiskies from five different countries: Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada, and Japan. The name “Ao” is translated to “blue” and refers to the color of the ocean. A vivid, elegant, yet deep profile, with a sweetness that gently pervades with a pleasantly sharp finish. A triumph of blending a selection of diverse, high quality whiskies into a seamless, thoughtful finished product.

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.

Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Amber gold. Opens a little shy, but develops with a spicy fruity interplay (dried fruits, plums, apricots?) perhaps a touch of grapefruit, then more nutty and sweet-spicy. All very subtle. Silky and mellow beyond its age statement. A deft burst of spice seals the finish. Possibly less fruity than the 3 year old but with a plusher texture. Quite lovely malt. 43% Alc./Vol.

A 9 year old blended whisky from Chugoku Jozo's interesting Togouchi range. The producers create their expressions with whisky from both Scotland and Canada, and age it in a railway tunnel in Japan.

In ancient times, the land around I-Lan in Taiwan was called Kavalan, a mysterious land that was solely inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavalan clan. The name was officially recognized by the Emperor of the Chin dynasty in the year of 1809 when the original city was also built under the same name. Kavalan had always been kept primitive and protected from the outside world by the Syue-shan mountain range which is abundant in high quality natural water that comes from deep within the mountain range. The mists of Kavalan and the spirits of the past have been created for you in this exquisite whisky. The water is drawn from springs in the surrounding mountains with their rich volcanic soil imparting a smooth and creamy mouth feel to the whisky. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks this Kavalan Solist Sherry is bottled by hand at the distillery, without any colouring, chill-filtration. Kavalan Solist Sherry was also awarded Best Rest of the World Single Malt Whisky 2011 at World Whisky Awards. A rich and complex nose of dried fruit, nuttiness and vanilla spice lead to a rich, oily palate with pleasant dried fruit and spices that linger on in the mouth. This cask of Solist Oloroso Sherry Oak, cask number S140730035A, was chosen and bottled exclusively for Australia, with only 487 bottles released.