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"One for no age statement naysayers... Eloquent & beautiful." - whiskyadvocate.com Back in 2015, Nikka announced they were discontinuing their age statement and No Age Statement (NAS) releases for the Yoichi and Miyagikyo labels and consolidating them into two new bottlings. These whiskies have now arrived in Australia. Two NAS versions that differ slightly to the previous versions now represent the entire portfolio. It was yet another move that triggered a buying rush. Reports have it that Tokyo is now pretty much out of age statement Japanese whiskies, unless you visit bars or auction houses. Nikka's reasons for the radical new strategy are now familiar. They simply have no old stocks to sell. Decades ago, both local and world demand for Japanese malts was low, so few barrels were being laid down for extended periods. Stefan Van Eycken, writing for www.nonjatta.com explains "...there were years, at both Yoichi and Miyagikyo distillery, when the barrels laid down for maturation could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The ‘stock shortage’ is not an excuse or a PR stunt – it’s very real. Sources within Nikka have said that it is ‘likely’ that age-statement single malts will be brought back in 5 or 6 years’ time. No official statement to that effect has been made for the simple reason that doing so – in Japan – would be interpreted as a promise (which could come back to haunt them in 6 years’ time)." The dropping of age statements doesn't always translate into a drop in quality. Early reviews for both releases have been very positive. Evidently, Chief blender Tadashi Sakuma has risen to the challenge of creating a great assemblage from a restricted inventory.

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.

Founded on the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in 2016, Nagahama Distillery is the smallest distillery in Japan. They produce single malt whiskys and also blends carefully selected whisky purchased from overseas and ages it in Nagahama’s climate. This Amahagan World Malt Edition No.3 is a fantastic world blend produced at the Nagata distillery. It’s a smooth and mellow creation that brings gentle fruits, fragrant wood imparted by mizunara oak maturation, subtle peppery spice and sweet caramel. It’s a well-accomplished and carefully balanced creation that is further highlights the possibilities in the world blend category.

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. The second whisky in the Kavalan Concertmaster series is aged in the distillery's own special reserve of refill casks, then finished in the finest hand-picked Spanish Sherry casks. Wonderfully elegant, soft and fruity with delicate aromas and a complexity of layers, it showcases the art of Kavalan’s blending and the depth of flavours made possible in this unique subtropical climate.

Nikka Whisky from the Barrel is one of the greatest value for money whiskies in the world. An incredibly powerful Japanese whisky. This is a fiery number and really packs a punch. With aromas of cedar and maple, it has an exploding mouthfeel showcasing cinnamon, dark chocolate, pepper and toffee.

• Nose Apples, pears, tropical fruits, and hints of spices. •Palate Delicate oaks, figs, nuts, and butterscotch. • Finish Sweet and long finish, with pleasant fruity, herbal scent and woody texture. Kujira Ryukyu Whisky Series is owned by the Shin Group Corp., one of the biggest Japanese liquor distribution companies focusing on unique and high- quality Japanese whisky. The Kujira whisky are produced by Shin Group’s strategic partner, Masahiro Shuzo, in Okinawa. After the World War II, the demands of whisky from stationed U.S. military were very high. In order to satisfy the demands, some local distilleries tried to make whisky by rice, and age in oak barrels. Soon, the whisky was sought-after and given the name “Ryukyu Whisky” by stationed soldiers. All Kujira Whisky are distilled by 100% Indica rice and Okinawa’s unique “black koji” for the mashing before maturing in oak casks that give the whisky an unique character. Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands, which are a chain of subtropical islands. Thanks to the island’s warm climate, whisky takes less time to mature and thus has a stronger aroma and a bolder taste. The special flavor from Indica rice further gives the whisky a long and unique aftertaste. Kujira means “whale” in Japanese. The whale is a symbol of generosity and peace. Long plagued by war, the Ryukyu Islanders consider the whale as the guardian of peace and nature.

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.

A unique Japanese whisky showing enticing aromas of sweet exotic fruit, ripe pear, cherry, citrus notes and subtle floral scents. Intense sweet fruity flavours of pear and apricot nectar and caramelized papaya. Finishes sweet with bourbon vanilla. The Coffey Still is the worlds first patented continuous still invented by Mr. Aeneas Coffey in 1830. Masataka Taketsuru valued the feature of this type of still, which retains the flavours of ingredients and also creates a distinctive texture. Complex, sweet and mellow flavours in Nikka Coffey invites you back to beauties of grain whisky.

Continuing 40 years of excellence in distilling Japanese grain whiskies at Chita distillery, the House of Suntory Whisky's Master Blenders have created an outstanding single grain whisky. In 1972, on the shores of Chita Peninsula, Keizo Saji—Suntory’s second Master Blender—built a distillery dedicated to creating the highest quality Japanese grain whisky. Born in September 2015, Suntory Single Grain Whisky Chita is completely different from the ordinary grain whiskies used in blended whisky. To imbue greater complexity and depth of flavour, Shinji Fukuyo chose to age Chita grain whisky in wine and Spanish Oak casks, in addition to American White Oak.The result is a milder, smoother grain whisky with unparalleled sophistication and a clean, clear finish. With versatile flavours and exquisite balance, Chita grain whiskies have traditionally been used as the "dashi" or broth that enhances the harmony of Suntory blends. Through continuous research and innovation, Chita’s grain whiskies have achieved an unrivalled sophistication and a level of complexity that lets them finally take centre stage.