Hoshiko Original Ume Liqueur
Created by legendary Japanese bartender Danny Aikawa who, in 1979 dreamed of creating a truly unique Japanese liqueur from Ume fruit. As he could only attempt to create this Ume based product once a year, all up it took 17 years to develop the recipe (which is a closely guarded secret). Hoishiko is produced once a year after the Ume harvest in Wakayama prefecture. The Ume are macerated along with a secret blend of spices in alcohol. After several months the Ume and spices are removed and sugar is added to balance out the tart Ume flavour.
Ota Shuzo Dokan Daiginjo
This Dokan Daiginjo sake is a very fine and balanced version of Junmai Daiginjo - Daiginjo grades of sake are considered the ultimate test of a brewer’s skill. Expect floral and fruit driven styles of sake that can be elegant and delicate or complex and intriguing. This is super premium sake at it’s best without the super premium price tag. A bold fragrant nose leads to ripe melon & fennel aromas. The palate has a light touch of sweetness and a robust round mouthfeel. Great as an aperitif or with lighter styled dishes. Serve chilled. Once opened the Ota Shuzo 'Dokan Daiginjo' will last well for at least 3 - 4 weeks, ideally in a refrigerator.
Heiwa Shuzo Furu-Tsuru-Ume Umeshu 10 Year Old
The ‘Furu-Tsuru-Ume’ is made with Nankō Ume fruit from Wakayama. The fruit is steeped in Sake for 4 months, then aged in a tank for 2 years. It is then placed in used oak barrels for further ageing of at least 8 years. This is one of the oldest wood-aged Umeshu in the market. A rich and complex example of Umeshu with a spicy oak character on the finish, this is best served slightly chilled in a wine glass to appreciate the intense and complex aromas and flavours on display here. Once opened the Heiwa 'Furu-tsuru-ume Umeshu 10YO' will last well for at least 12 - 15 weeks, ideally in a refrigerator.
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"
Mukai Shuzo Ine Mankai
The Ine Mankai from Mukai Shuzō is produced using an ancient strain of red rice, along with a with a white rice, creating a rose petal coloured sake. In provincial villages and towns within Japan red rice has been cultivated and used in traditional celebrations for centuries, but it is extremely rare to see it used commercially. While studying at Tōkyō University, Kuniko met Professor Takeda, and was encouraged to create a sake with the red rice he knew grew locally in Kuniko's hometown area of Ine. In May 2000, Kuniko released her red rice sake calling it 'Ine Mankai' or ‘Ine in Full Bloom’. It’s well balanced levels of acidity and sweetness make it perfect for drinking with a wide variety of food. Complex cherry & vanilla aroma with unique sweet/tart cherry & pomegranate flavours with a savoury, umami rich palate works equally well with savoury dishes or sweet.
Tatsumi Distillery Gin
In 2017, the Tatsumi Distillery opened in Gujohachiman, Japan and uses traditional brewing practices and materials such as copper pot and kabutogama stills to produce high-quality Gin and Absinthe. The kabutogama still is an old method of distillation that was popular until the late 19th century and the owner Mr. Tatsumi is dedicated to reviving this method through his patience and expertise. His passion for creating unique and authentic spirits is gaining recognition from industry peers and consumers alike. Tatsumi, the owner of Tatsumi Distillery, has created an exceptional craft gin using only one botanical, Juniper berry sourced from northern Macedonia, known for its high quality. The juniper berries found in North Macedonia are distinct due to the unique natural terroir, which results in a high concentration of essential oils. These berries grow wild on high mountain slopes that are unpolluted and pristine, making them the ideal choice for crafting the world's finest gin. Tatsumi Distillery Gin is distilled from two different Shochu bases, Sake Lees Shochu & Chicory Shochu, using the traditional Kabutogama still. To ensure consistency, Tatsumi Distillery Gin is handmade in small batches of less than 500 bottles. Tatsumi Distillery Gin has a woody taste similar to that of coniferous trees, along with a subtle hint of citrus and a fruity aroma reminiscent of Ginjo-Sake. The palate is dominated by the clear flavour of juniper berry, which is pleasantly spicy. The aftertaste is complex and rich, with a depth that comes from the carefully selected base spirits.
Nikka Coffey Vodka
This refined vodka is the purest expression of the signature “Coffey Stills” which produce Nikka Whisky’s outstanding grain whiskies. With decades of experience in distilling white spirits as well as whisky, Nikka’s vodka perfectly captures the extremely smooth and delicate taste of the Coffey-distilled corn and barley spirits. Each spirit is distilled separately and skillfully blended. The formula is perfected with minimal filtration using white birch charcoal to deliver precise balance and mellow texture.
White Oak - Akashi Akashi TOJI Malt / Grain 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.
Yamazakura Black Label Japanese Fine Blended Whisky
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.
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!