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!
TOGOUCHI BLENDED BEER FINISH JAPANESE WHISKY
Komasa Hojicha (Green Tea) 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. A wonderful tea-infused gin from Komasa Jyozo, the Hojicha expression is infused with juniper berries, shochu, Japanese cypress and roasted tea leaves from Kagoshima, which is one of Japan’s most famous tea producing regions. Roasting the green tea means that the caffeine bitterness is eliminated, making for a more aromatic, mellow flavour. Pair the gin with soda or even hot water in the same way you would with tonic for an intriguing, fragrant tipple. Roasted leafy green tea alongside earthy juniper, leading into a touch of sweetness and a fragrant, woody finish.
Akashi Blue Japanese Whisky
Akashi Blue is a blended whisky reserved in Japanese Shochu cask (American Oak) around 2 years, aged in bourbon cask before finishing in sherry casks for 1 years. Nose: Fruity, slightly sweet, vanilla. Taste: Fresh, spice, oak, hints of peat. Finish: Medium, spicy, sweet.
Akashi Toji Blended Japanese Whisky
Akashi whisky is the only whisky in the world that is made by a Toji (grand-master in the art of sake making) by implementing sake-making methodologies into the whisky making process. The distil pot used is smaller than those used by both Scottish and other Japanese distilleries, which in turn, decreases the levels of fusel alcohol. As a result, Akashi whisky does not require as long of an ageing process, while its core malt (cask strength) is smooth and delicate.
Amahagan Amahagan World Malt No 1 Original
This is a unique whisky from Japans Nagahama Distillery near Shiga, which opened in 2016. While the distillerys own malt whisky is still very young, the distillerys owners decided to source malt whiskies from other countries to blend with it in what theyre calling a world malt. The nose is fruity and floral with lemon zest, mango, and grilled pineapple. The taste is spicy with a citrus tartness and notes of lemon pepper, grilled pineapple, honey, and orange peel. The finish is medium-length with a touch of citrus and a hint of lingering spice
Amahagan Amahagan World Malt No 2 Red Wine Wood Finish
The color is reddish and glossy brick. The flavor from red wines such as raisins and berries is in perfect harmony with the unique malt flavour of Nagahama. A refreshing afterstate of orange peel can be enjoyed. The sweetness of grain carries through the finish with a long, moderate astringent taste. The flavors linger long after the sip.
Mars Distillery Maltage Cosmo Blended Malt Japanese Whisky
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.
Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin
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"