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.

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.

Floral and aromatic on the nose, fresh and soft texture with delicate sweetness, and an elegant crisp finish.The key botanicals apart from juniper berries for this gin (green tea, shiso and ginger) are grown locally in Kagoshima Prefecture in South Japan on the island of Kyushu. The original gin is blended with beautiful rose water which is made with organic and local Damask rose flower, which is considered the queen of roses.

Nikka Tailored Premium Japanese Whisky was release in 2019 as the long-awaited replacement for the Nikka 12 Year Old. This whisky has been exceptionally produced. The nose is lively and fruity with malty aromas of vanilla, caramel, cookies, and biscuits. The palate is sweet but with a firm malt base carried by a gentle sweetness from the Coffey grain. The finish lingers with a spicy bitterness. In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky.

Nikka Session Blended Malt Whisky is the first brand new Nikka in six years! This drop beings a world blend of malts from the Miyagiko, Yoichi, and Ben Nevis distilleries. Nikka Whisky purchased the Ben Nevis Distillery in 1989 and have been using components in many Nikkas Whiskies since. This release from Nikka has aromas of pineapples, apples, blackcurrant, pears and leafy mint. Across the palate the fruit has dried up, leading us instead to peppercorn and a healthy serving of woody malt, of course. The malt wave continues to the finish with heaps of dark chocolate malt bitterness. Slightly peaty at the end.

Matsui Mizunara Cask Single Malt Japanese Whisky single malt whisky distilled in the rich, natural environment of Tottori and aged in Mizunara (Japanese oak）casks. Combined with the bitter flavor of unblended whisky, a faintly sweet, aged aroma tickles the nose with a smooth yet rich, lingering aftertaste. This masterpiece, carefully crafted with heart and passion, is brought to proof with high-quality natural spring water from Mt. Daisen.

Stepping outside of the realm they are renowned for, high quality authentic Japanese shochu, Kyoya Shuzo has successfully made their mark in the world of gin. Using their own Kameshizuku sweet potato shochu as a base, this premium yuzu gin is flavoured with yuzu and hyuganatsu, sansho pepper,citrus fruits and juniper berries.

Mr. Ken Usami, the master blender at the Shinobu Distillery, selects the selected finest malt whiskies and finish them in casks made of Japanese Oak, Mizunara Wood to create the Shin Malt Whisky range. Shin stands for integrity; one of the core principles of Samurai tradition. The 10 Year Old pure malt has significant sweet aroma of dark dried fruit, like raisin, dates come forward on the nose, and with a touch of vanilla. Sweet vanilla and dark dried fruit followed by sandalwood, and oriental spices. All natural without colouring. Non-chill filtered.

A balanced and complex spirit, Ming River is the original Sichuan baijiu. Each batch starts with locally harvested red sorghum grain and the purest waters from protected wells. It is fermented in earthen pits with naturally harvested yeast cultures native to Luzhou that impart the distinctive terroir of Sichuan style baijiu. After two months, the mash is unearthed and distilled in small batches using a traditional Chinese pot still. The spirits age for up to two years before the master blender balances them into Ming River’s distinctive flavor.