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.

The Nikka Coffey Malt is the result of a unique distillation process in Coffey type column stills, which are normally used for grain whisky production.As such, this unique 100% Coffey malt is categorized as a grain whisky, and offers a surprisingly rich texture with deep oaky notes.

Fuji whiskey was born out of a joint venture in 1972 between Kirin Brewery, Chivas brothers and Seagram and Sons to identify the optimal site for a new whisky distillery in Japan. The water in this whisky comes from snowmelt run-off from Mount Fuji, which takes about 50 years to cycle. A proprietary yeast is used for fermenting the various grains over a 72 hour fermentation period. Three distillation formats are employed: column (lighter style), batch kettle (medium style) and pot still (heavy style). The whiskey is aged in medium to high char ex bourbon barrels, refill and virgin oak. It is non–chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

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.

Super Nikka is a blended whisky born in 1962. Classic style of blended whisky with gentle peatiness and hints of vanilla and sherry. These beautiful flavours are rounded and well-balanced with a smooth texture and mellow mouthfeel.

This Kura The Whisky Sherry Cask expression is a delightful new whisky matured in the finest Oloroso sherry casks. The maturation period has imparted rich notes of winter berries, dried fruits, bitter dark chocolate and a gentle woodiness onto the light and fruity spirit. Its a match made in heaven that creates a drinking experience that youre not likely to forget in a hurry.

Here we have Suntorys multi award-winning Japanese single malt from Yamazaki, the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. The single malt was launched in 1992, and around 80% of the liquid is matured in sherry butts, while the remaining whisky spent its years in American and Mizunara oak casks. An absolutely stunning marriage of fruit, oak and smoky notes, its really no wonder why it won so many awards!Nose: Truffles, thick bitter marmalade and resin. Potpourri and heavy Oloroso sherry.Palate: A rich, bittersweet palate with heather roots, cigar leaves, honey, toffee apples, plum wine and black pepper. A touch of rancio, perhapsFinish: Long, fruity, marmalade-led finish.

Japanese whisky is not only Suntory or Nikka, there are many other less known distilleries whose reputation continues to grow. And for this new tasting, They choose a blended malt, the White Oak Tokinoka blended malt. The White Oak distillery, located in the city of Akashi (Hyogo Prefecture), was the first to obtain a license for distilling whisky in 1919. Built in 1888 for the production of sake and shochu, at the beginning the distillery produced only blend whisky in a traditional way and specially reserved for the domestic market. Then the site was modified in 1984 to start producing whisky in bigger quantities. The Eigashima Shuzo Company owner of the distillery, produced since 2007 several single malts named Akashi.

SHINOBU (meaning Forbearance in Japanese) Whisky is hand crafted by the creative master blender, Mr. Usami, by carefully selecting whisky from different distilleries which are first reserved in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks and then finishing them with precious Japanese Mizunara oak.