Japanese Whisky

• • 90

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  Suntory Hakushu Distiller's Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  Hokuto, Yamanashi, JAPAN

  $175. 00

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  $2100.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks.

  Another intriguing new Japanese whisky from Suntory, this one from the Hakushu distillery stringing from the recent movement toward non age statement whiskies from producers.

  Suntory's Hakushu Distillers Reserve combines young lightly peated and older, heavily peated malts rumored to be minimum eighteen years in age and matured in American oak casks.

  PLEASE NOTE: PRESENTATION BOX MAY VARY BASED ON STOCK. YOU MAY RECEIVE THE OLD STYLE GREEN BOX, OR THE NEWER WHITE BOXES. 

  Tasting notes... Retasted Nov 2016 Subtle, with light wafts of fresh sawn American oak, gobstopper and stewed pear. Air contact draws out hints of granita biscuit. More presence in the mouth than the nose suggests with a nicely rounded, fresh delivery that's peppermint lozenge-like followed by cool mint confectionery melting in the aftertaste. Unexpected and quite delightful. 43% Alc./Vol. 90 points

  First tasted 2013 Pale straw gold colour. Moderately intense, grassy and mildly fruity aromatics combine with a malty-vanilla base and a soft, round, light to medium weighted delivery with cereal and vanilla flavours, nicely balanced alongside the gently buzzing spices that carry well into the aftertaste. Shows good persistence. 89 points

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• Suntory Hakushu 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  Hokuto, Yamanashi, JAPAN

  $1499. 00

  Bottle

  $17988.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
  
  Two different packaging styles available - Please call 1800 069 295 for more information.

  Production wise, Suntory's Hakushu distillery (pronounced "Hack-shoo") is the largest malt whisky distillery not only in Japan, but in the world. Built in 1973 coinciding with Suntory's 50th anniversary, it's set amidst spectacular pine forests close to the Japanese Alps. Suntory also purchased the distillery surrounds to protect water quality and conserve the local environment. In fact, water from the district is considered the best in Japan, something Suntory have capitalised on by bottling and selling it throughout the country. All the barley required for single malt whisky production here is imported from Scotland or elsewhere (including countries like France, England and Australia). The resulting whiskies make a significant contribution to Suntory's large number of malts and blends. Due to the distillery's height above sea level (700m), low pressure distillation occurs naturally, said to contribute to the light, fruity style of the whiskies

  Other reviews... Unlike their colleagues in Scotland, Japanese distillers do not exchange stock for their blending requirements. This means that each distillery is set up to produce a wide range of styles. Hakushu uses four different types of malt (unpeated to heavy) run through four pairs of differently-shaped stills. Each single malt is a different blend of these bases. While still herbal, this example shows more sherried notes along with sour orange zest, tropical fruit, and some smoke. Complex. 43% Alc./Vol. 90 points - www.maltadvocate.com

  …The delivery though, makes this malt worth finding because for 20 seconds or so we have absolutely everything in complete harmony, and the degree of barley sweetness is just about perfect. Then all is lost to the duller oak tones again.
  86 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2012

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• • 90

  The Kurayoshi Sherry Cask Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $119. 99

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  $1439.88 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Produced in runs of around 1500 bottles, this sherry matured Matsui comes with very positive reviews from several quarters.

  Other reviews... a plodding nose, but safe and secure with light grape and toffee on nodding terms; very young barley and toffee hold court until spice and dried plum notes begin to find their home; an unusual finale with an intense dryness at odds with the chest beating muscovado sugars; chewy and sticky, the youthfulness of this vatted malt is overcome by the intensity and richness of the malt and dark sugars. A complex, pleasing experience. 90.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022

  ...Showing a soaring nose of baked cereal grains, warmed yellow plum skin, smoked sea salt, and wet stone. Big cask influence creates flavors of almond skin, toasted marshmallow, hazelnut, and a lingering finish of ripe pear. 93 points - Excellent / Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

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• • 95

  The Kurayoshi 18 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $450. 00

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  $5400.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 50%

  Jim Murray's Japanese Whisky of the Year for 2022.

  The small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies from Kurayoshi have been impressive. Blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed. There have been several strong reviews for the 18 YO (see below). One can't help noticing the similarity in packaging to Suntory's Yamazaki 18...

  Other reviews… The high-alcohol strength is apparent on the nose, which is dominated by pepper, clove, and star anise spices. A mouth-drawing concoction that begins softly, with honey, orange, and apple peel, then grows in scale at the expense of the sweetness. There’s a takeover by root ginger and bitter fruit skins. The long-lasting finish reverberates with crackling spices and sour fruits. (1,140 bottles) 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Spring 2018)

  ...Same, made in Nippon etcetera. By the way these bottles don’t say ‘blended malt’, they say ‘pure malt’. And no no no, despite the label’s design, this is not Yamazaki 18. Other countries, other ways… Colour: straw. Nose: some wax and some white fruits, with a very Speyside-y development, all on vanilla and orchard fruits, with a touch of mint in the background. Ex-re-refill Glenfarclas springs to mind this time. With water: traditional Speyside. Mouth (neat): fruit syrup, malt, a little white chocolate, some preserved peaches, some crystalised oranges. This is solid. With water: sweet, easy, good. No, really, it’s good. Finish: medium, fruity, with notes of hop. IPA. Comments: £260 at some auction in Europe! I’m wondering if we couldn’t launder all of Scotland’s unsold malts by sticking nice labels with big kanjis on them. We could buy a small broken 100L pot still and then call all our sourced whiskies ‘Kaledonya Distillery Pure Malt’. Or don’t you even need to own a still to become a Japanese distiller? What do you say? Some money to be made, no? Ha, money. But yeah, this 18 is good, just not £260-good. 85 points. - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com

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• • 89

  The Kurayoshi Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $109. 99

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  $1319.88 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  A fairly low profile Japanese whisky brand, Kurayoshi is produced at the Matsui Shuzou facility in the Tottori Prefecture, northwest of Kyoto, founded in 1910. Like several other Japanese blends, they combine malt whisky from Scotland with Japanese whisky. This is not an uncommon practice, and the exact breakdown of the whiskies remains undisclosed. The extent that these really are Japanese is open to argument. Serge at whisky-fun.com notes, “…some friends from over there - whom I trust – declared that all Kurayoshis were actually Scottish.” They do bare resemblances to mellow Highlanders.

  Tasting note: A three year old whisky matured in a bourbon cask. Deep gold. Strikes a balance between oak and sweet malt on the nose, with gentle fruitiness emerging as well as bready notes and hints of popcorn. There's subtle poached orchard fruit flavours (apple / pear), a splash of vanilla and a thrust of spicy warmth, with a medium dry, oily finish and low key peat. Tasted blind, you'd easily mistake it for a Speysider. 43% Alc./Vol.

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• • 91

  The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $169. 99

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  $2039.88 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Amber gold. Opens a little shy, but develops with a spicy fruity interplay (dried fruits, plums, apricots?) perhaps a touch of grapefruit, then more nutty and sweet-spicy. All very subtle. Silky and mellow beyond its age statement. A deft burst of spice seals the finish. Possibly less fruity than the 3 year old but with a plusher texture. Quite lovely malt. 43% Alc./Vol.

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• • 92

  The Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $210. 00

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  $2520.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Kurayoshi are one of a few Japanese small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies to be released in Australia. Created in the shadow of Mt Daisen, at the Matsui Distillery, the whiskies benefit from the mountain’s crystal clear waters and over a century of expertise. The blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed.

  Tasting note: Polished copper. Not vastly different to the 8 year old, showing the same subtle Summer yellow fruits, only softer again and with delicious succulence, a bigger finish and better length. It's delicately oily with cocoa-dusted stewed fruits and buzzing spices through the finish. The balance is perfect here, and it feels older than it actually is. Pick of the bunch. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews… This one’s ‘made in Japan’ according to the label, maybe that’s why the latter is deep purple (no, not particularly proud of that one). But what does ‘made in Japan’ really mean in Japan? Colour: straw. Nose: hold on, this is a very nice nose. Well, if they do indeed produce this in a certain ‘Matsui Distillery’, meaning that it would be actually distilled and matured there, well, kudos to them. If they’re simply independent bottlers in disguise, well, same, because this is nice, rather mineral and grassy at first, then with pears and apples, as well as a little sweet ale. It is William-Granty. With water: porridge, mud, and barley. Scottish. Mouth (neat): good, malty and sweet, with peaches and a citrusy development, with touches of peat this time. This is really good. With water: easy apple juice and muesli. Finish: medium, a little weaker now. Sweet barley. Comments: works.
  82 points - Serge Valentin, whisky-fun.com

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• Togouchi Sakurao Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $180. 00

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  $2160.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  This is one of the first whiskies from Sakurao Distillery (formerly Chugoku Jozo) to be distilled in Japan. Previously, they've been producing Togouchi whisky - aged in a railway tunnel in the Hiroshima mountains, but using sourced whiskies from overseas. Sakurao, on the other hand is 100% Japanese, aged in Sakurao in four different cask types (ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry, American Oak & Mizunara). There's reportedly a bit of peat to this youngster. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

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• White Oak Eigashima 7 Year Old Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Japanese Whisky (500ml)

  JAPAN

  $250. 00

  Bottle

  $3000.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 50%

  Akashi's White Oak Distillery in Eigashima continues its steady and varied run of releases with a Speyside-inspired malt aged in quality sherry casks. You can expect all the typically rich, fruity notes that accompany sherry maturations including dried berries, dark chocolate, charred oak and gentle spices. Some tasters report delicate peat input too (think smoke, iodine and a bit of campfire). Bottled at 50%, it's also on the heavier side for Japanese whisky. Non chill filtered.

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• White Oak Eigashima Sherry Cask Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (500ml)

  JAPAN

  $110. 00

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  $1320.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 50%

  White Oak Distillery have released two new limited editions for 2020 to celebrate the 101st anniversary of their licence to distill. It's not the first time the distillery has highlighted the fact that they were licensed before Kotobukiya (Suntory) and Nikka. However they didn't actually build Japan's first whisky distillery. That was left to Yamazaki.

  White Oaks new blend and single malt are both sherry matured and named after the parent company. Suitably, the presentation is reminiscent of a century ago, featuring the old Eigashima logo and trademark. The blend is made from 100% UK malt and grain whiskies, finished in sherry casks and bottled at 50% Alc./Vol.

  Located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, west of Kobe, the White Oak distillery was founded by Eigashima Shuzo - a Sake and Shochu producer since 1888. Despite an early license to manufacture whisky, it was only when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984 that White Oak Distillery was born. The stills here are in operation for just a few month’s of the year, so production is minuscule. Since 2017 Eigashima ceased making Shochu to re-focus their energy into making whisky. They're now working six days a week from April through to July in order to maximise output. Currently there are around 1200 casks ageing at White Oak, the oldest stocks being around eight years old. Most of the maturation is done in first fill Bourbon casks (ex Wild Turkey) and new Sherry casks. However, the warehouse holds everything from refill American to re-charred Shochu casks, Cognac casks, Tequila Casks and even some very special locally coopered casks made from Konara - often reserved for ageing Shochu.

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• White Oak Akashi Japanese Blended Whisky (500ml)

  Akashi, JAPAN

  $69. 99

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  $839.88 Dozen

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  Whisky writer, David Broom, comments, "The White Oak distillery is perhaps the least known of Japan’s whisky producers, but it has a legitimate claim to be the country’s oldest with a license to make whisky granted in 1919 — four years before Yamazaki was built. It's located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, west of Kobe, facing the Seto Inland Sea. The distillery was founded by Eigashima Shuzo in 1888 to produce sake. Eigashima Shuzo obtained a license to manufacture whisky in 1919, but it was when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984 that White Oak Distillery was born.

  White Oak’s whisky stills are only in operation for one month every year and so their production is very small. Most of it's blended whisky, but when the single malts do come on the market the whisky is named ‘Akashi’ after its hometown. The first Akashi release was in 2007.

  This is a very affordable entry level blend that makes it a great starting point for an adventure into Japanese whisky. 40% Alc./Vol.

  No tasting notes available.

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• 963 Axis Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $180. 00

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  $2160.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 46%

  Sasanokawa Shuzo (aka 'Bamboo-River Brewing') launched this new addition to their 963 range on the Japanese market in 2019. Based in the city of Koriyama (postcode 963) they expanded into whisky in the 1940s, long before the start of Japan's whisky boom. This represents a high-end complement to their entry level whisky portfolio. 46% Alc./vol.

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• 963 Yamakazura 21 Year Old Cask Strength Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $499. 00

  Bottle

  $5988.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 58.2%

  ‘Yamazakura’ is a relatively new brand in the Sasanokawa portfolio. The Japanese company dating back to 1765 has been traditionally known for their sake and schochu. Based in the city of Koriyama (postcode 963) they expanded into whisky in the 1940s, long before the start of Japan's whisky boom. This represents a high-end complement to their entry level whisky range. Yamazakura distillery in Koriyama city was reportedly mothballed in 1998, however the Akuto family who were releasing blended malt whisky from their Hanyu distillery vatted with Scotch from Aberlour distillery, sold their Hanyu stocks to Sasanokawa in 2000. They in turn stored this whisky in their barrelhouse with their own ageing stock. Ichiro Akuto brought back most of this stock to release as the first Ichiro’s malt – the now infamous card series. As the story goes, what was retained by Sasanokawa Shuzo has gone into this blend - so it should include Yamazakura and Hanyu whiskies as well as some Taoshuzo malt. Reportedly never offered outside of Japan. 58.2% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.

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• • 89

  963 Black Label "Smooth & Peaty" Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $120. 00

  Bottle

  $1440.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 46%

  Sasanokawa Shuzo (also behind the Yamazakura whiskies) has created a charming malt and grain blend here. Located in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture, the company has been producing whisky since 1946, however their history is in sake and shochu which they've made since the late 1700s. The provenance of the liquid is not disclosed, however in true Japanese style, the producers say the flavour is aimed at "delightful surprise".

  Tasting note: Pale, almost water-like. Primary, floral-fruity notes with distinct ripe pear, perhaps a little vanilla too. Light to medium bodied. Spices add interest and depth – as does a light smokiness. Fruity and more succulent towards the finish. Simple but easy to like. The palate delivers more than the nose suggests. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

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• • 91

  963 Red Label "Rich & Sweet" Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $120. 00

  Bottle

  $1440.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  Sasanokawa Shuzo (also behind the Yamazakura whiskies) has created a charming malt and grain blend here. Located in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture, the company has been producing whisky since 1946, however their history is in sake and shochu which they've made since the late 1700s. The provenance of the liquid is not disclosed, however in true Japanese style, the producers say the flavour is aimed at "delightful surprise".

  Tasting note: [20ml sample] Unlike Shuzo's Black Label, this is unpeated, with some of the liquid coming finished in sherry casks. Shy opening scents develop to attractive fruity, dried pear and apple over light vanilla. Medium weight with a decent injection of malt and spice through the mid palate. Hints of dried fruits, with warming spices adding zest to the finish. Seems more complex and substantial than its smokey sibling. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

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• 2016 Akashi 4 Year Old Single Cask No.61966 "Ghost Series No.15" Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (500ml)

  Akashi, JAPAN

  $2499. 00

  Bottle

  $29988.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 61.5%

  A now very rare item that sold out in under ten minutes on release. Selected by Japanese whisky godfather, Stefan van Eycken with Hideo Yamaoka as part of their 'Ghost Series', edition #15 is a 4-year old Akashi, made from single malts matured in sherry and bourbon barrels which were then vatted in a single port cask for one year. With only 849 bottles produced, it will be on collector's radars. Beautiful presentation. 61.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Nose: Highly sweet but it's a tad dreary. Prunes, dried leaves, and tiny bit of spiciness. I guess they call them dark fruits for a reason. Digging deeper, there's that sweet potato tanginess if you look for it. Palate: Deep, dark sherry that stuck around after last call. Water brings out dark chocolate. Finish: Great tannins and nuttiness, A slight tinge of bitterness alongside mint and cinnamon. Shochu sticks around. Another wonderful entry in the Ghost series. Tawny means "orange-brown or yellowish-brown colour." Yes I had to look the word up. That definition matches this profile quite well: the sherry here shows through but it's taken on a slightly darker, more ominous role. Japanese whisky gets its share of fortified wine cask aging, but this character certainly isn't found anywhere else. Perhaps that's the shochu speaking? - nomunication.jp

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• White Oak Akashi Meisei Japanese Blended Whisky (500ml)

  JAPAN

  $79. 99

  Bottle

  $959.88 Dozen

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  ABV: 40%

  "Meïsei" translates as 'celebrity' in Japanese. Reports have it that this whisky was made with 45% American oak matured single malt and was released exclusively for the French market.

  Other reviews... Spicy and savory with dark soy sauce, the blackened bark of a hunk of roasted meat, peppercorn, fennel, and faint lemon zest. Lemon meringue pie and tangerine flavors; quite sweet, with lovely flowing spices throughout, and a few green notes, but when the creamy fudge comes in, the ride is over. Compared with the standard blend, this has greater balance, benefiting from the absence of the more abrasive spices and herbal aromas. Abrupt finish, leaving a hollow spiciness behind.
  82 points - Jonny McCormick (Winter 2016), www.maltadvocate.com

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• The Akkeshi Boshu Peated Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $799. 00

  Bottle

  $9588.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 55%

  The super limited Akkeshi Boshu peated represents the third release and the ninth season in the distillery's series of 24 Sekki, Japan's distinctive cycle of seasons in which solar terms represent the seasons dividing the year into twenty four equal parts, such as the beginning of Spring and the Summer solstice.  'Boshu' or "Sowing Of The Grain" marks a time of the year when grains mature and when fireflies appear, as depicted on the label. Bottled at 55% after three years of ageing, the smoke here is described as being of a campfire quality, with additional chocolate and fruit notes. Approximately 9000 bottles are on offer worldwide.

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• Amahagan World Malt Edition No. 2 Red Wine Wood Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 47%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
  One of the newest and smallest distilleries in Japan, Amahagans first releases only contain a small amount of their own new make spirit. The rest of the blend is sourced from similarly small distilleries Strathearn and Eden Mill, both from Scotland. On the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, the Amahagan (see what they did there?) World Malt Edition whiskies explore their unique blend from 4 different types of cask maturation or finishing. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 from this series are based on No. 1.

  Edition No. 2 is finished in a red wine cask. Showcasing the change in fruit character this process can bring, expect to get much more red fruit influence while still retaining a mild malt driven astringency and citrus peel freshness.

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• Amahagan World Malt Edition No. 3 Mizunara Wood Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $160. 00

  Bottle

  $1920.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 47%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
  
  One of the newest and smallest distilleries in Japan, Amahagans first releases only contain a small amount of their own new make spirit. The rest of the blend is sourced from similarly small distilleries Strathearn and Eden Mill, both from Scotland. On the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, the Amahagan (see what they did there?) World Malt Edition whiskies explore their unique blend from 4 different types of cask maturation or finishing. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 from this series are based on No. 1.
  
  Edition No. 3 is finished in a Mizunara wood cask. The easy drinker of the series, this expression brings sweet, spicy wood character to the zingy malt base, cutting a fine balance between the two.

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• Amahagan World Malt Edition No. 4 Yamazakura Wood Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 47%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
  
  One of the newest and smallest distilleries in Japan, Amahagans first releases only contain a small amount of their own new make spirit. The rest of the blend is sourced from similarly small distilleries Strathearn and Eden Mill, both from Scotland. On the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, the Amahagan (see what they did there?) World Malt Edition whiskies explore their unique blend from 4 different types of cask maturation or finishing. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 from this series are based on No. 1.
  
  Edition No. 4 has been finished in a Yamazakura wood cask. A very Japanese treatment, Yamazakura wood imparts a light cherry blossom flavour on the nose and palate. A bouquet of light flavours adorn this whisky, a very pleasant drop.

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• Amahagan World Malt Edition No.1 Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 47%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
  
  One of the newest and smallest distilleries in Japan, Amahagan's first releases only contain a small amount of their own new make spirit. The rest of the blend is sourced from similarly small distilleries Strathearn and Eden Mill, both from Scotland. On the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, the Amahagan (see what they did there?) World Malt Edition whiskies explore their unique blend from 4 different types of cask maturation or finishing. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 from this series are based on No. 1.

  Edition No. 1 is matured in Bourbon barrels, showcasing their blend in it's most unaltered form. Expect some light fruit richness with some lively rounding vanilla and a tight malt finish.

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• 2013 Chichibu Distillery Ichiro's Malt On the Way Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $1499. 00

  Bottle

  $17988.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 58.5%

  Bottled in 2013 this is another of Ichiro's 'works in progress.' Limited to 9900 bottles, it's reportedly a combination of two barrels - one filled in 2008 and another in 2010. 58.5% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... Lifted, quite estery and delicate, with fruit blossom, preserved lemon, and light minerality. It needs water; when added, out burst blossoms, brioche, and fondant icing. On the palate, there’s a frothy pink party going on: marshmallows, flowers, raspberry, and cream. Water adds silkiness, while the finish throws out yuzu, then tightens in the manner typical for a young whisky (it’s 3 years old). Not only on the way, but getting there.
  85 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dave Broom (Summer 2014)

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• • 91

  Fuyu Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $89. 99

  Bottle

  $1079.88 Dozen

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  ABV: 40%

  Distilled from a mash of 20% malted barley and 80% corn sourced from three distilleries on Japan’s largest and busiest whisky island, Honshu (home to eight operating distilleries). Maturation took place in American white oak barrels. 'Fuyu' means winter in Japanese.

  Tasting note: Deep amber gold. Cocoa, light cinnamon, vanilla and hints of ripe peaches follow in a soft, medium bodied whisky offering flavours of gobstopper, ginger and late fruit cake. Ends crisp and moreish with buttery vanillan oak through the aftertaste. A youthful, Bourbonesque blend with satisfying sweet/dry balance. 40% Alc./Vol.

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• • 90

  Golden Horse Musashi Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $125. 00

  Bottle

  $1500.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 43%

  A pure malt made by Toa Shuzo, whose whiskies are not easily found outside of Japan. The company was run by the Akuto family who started Hanyu distillery in 1941 and in the early 2000s, with Ichiros Akutos help, kick started Chichibu.

  Tasting note: Named after a famous Samurai warrior. Bright gold. The grassy-fruity bouquet is fairly pedestrian but very attractive. Hints of pineapple? Banana cake? Super soft, with a nicely harmonised malty-fruity combination and well defined vanilla / red apple flavours. An elegant, fresh, lighter styled blend that also comes handsomely packaged. 43% Alc./Vol.

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• Hanyu Ichiro's Malt 15 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $2499. 00

  Bottle

  $29988.00 Dozen

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  ABV: 46.5%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

  Note: Bottle number will vary to image shown.

  From a now closed distillery - Hanyu shut down in 2000 and was dismantled in 2004.
  Thankfully the stocks were saved by the founder's grandson who rebuilt the distillery and kick-started production in 2008, marketing under the Chichibu label.

  This super rare bottling is from the last reserves of Hanyu's whisky. Sub titled "The Final Vintage of Hanyu", 3710 bottles were produced. 46.5% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... [4th release tasted] Another, typically Hanyu, sugar malt juicy salvo; a degree of tangy buzz; oozes character and quality. 89.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2015

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• 2000 Hanyu Distillery Ichiro's Malt Ace of Clubs Cask No.9523 Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $14999. 00

  Bottle

  $179988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 59.4%

  Extremely rare. Normally only available via auction - or if you visit Japan and taste it in a bar. Part of the "Card Series', the Ace of Clubs was distilled in 2000 at the now closed Hanyu Distillery. Caught by the Japanese recession, the operation shut down the same year. Enter Ichiro Akuto, the grandson of the founder. Akuto purchased the remaining casks, progressively marketing them under playing card labels. Since then the Card series has garnered a cult following, with cashed-up collectors vying to secure all 54 bottles in the set.

  This edition was bottled in 2012 after initial maturation in a hogshead followed by a finish in a Mizunara Japanese oak cask.One only to sell. 59.4% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... Ichiro loves Japanese oak (mizunara) and here’s a finished example. You need water, however, to be able to discern those characteristic incense notes. Without it, you’re in a world of vanilla and resin. The neat palate is hot but firm, with some red fruits and an allspice note. Water is needed, and does allow a fresh acidity to come through on the finish; sadly it also adds tannic bitterness. A tricky balancing act.
  81 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dave Broom (Summer 2013)

  Nose: very fragrant, old temples, marzipan and a hint of eucalyptus; Palate: candied orange peel, tropical fruit punch; lots of wood spice; Finish: very long; spicy elements slowly fade leaving an incense afterglow. With the ‘Ace of Clubs’ and the ‘Six of Hearts’ – it depends on the mood I’m in: some days, I just can’t get enough of the mizunara aura of the former; other days, I really enjoy the contrast between the nose and the palate of the latter. If you ever come across one of these Cards that’s open – at a friend’s place or at a bar – don’t hesitate! With so many of them just sitting in collections, it would be a crime not to assist them in fulfilling their destiny, which is: to spoil the senses with a pleasure only they are capable of giving. - nonjatta.com

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• Ichiro's Malt & Grain Single Cask No.4080 Cask Strength Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $999. 00

  Bottle

  $11988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 59%

  Japanese whisky doesn't get much rarer than this! Drawn from a single bourbon cask (no. 4080) that yielded just 250 bottles and released at cask strength. One only to sell.

  'Chichibu' opened in 2008 in Chichibu city, Saitama, just outside of Tokyo (hence its name). Apart from the entry level "Malt & Grain" blend, bottlings have remained elusive on the Australian market.

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• 2021 Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Chichibu x Komagatake Chichibu Aging Blended Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $999. 00

  Bottle

  $11988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 53.5%

  Japanese whisky lovers have another 'concept whisky' to add to their portfolio, following on from the Shinshu Mars Distillery Komagatake x Chichibu Malt Duo released earlier in the year. Both are blended malts made by exchanging new make from Mars Whisky (Komagatake) and Venture Whisky (Chichibu), with each matured at the other's distilleries. It's the first initiative of its kind in the Japanese whisky industry.

  While Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano Prefecture is located high in the mountains where the climate is cold, Chinchibu is in the warmer Saitama Prefecture at a lower altitude. Over six years, the whisky's matured in their respective locations, with progress monitored.

  "Getting reports on the maturation status from the other distillery was like hearing about my children growing up in a different city," said Mr Kunai, the Director and Master Blender of Mars Whisky. Both components were distilled in 2015, exchanged, matured at each distillery's warehouse and then vatted. The concept was started in the hope that the exchange of raw spirits, which is a common practice in Scotland, could be realised in Japan. Bottles are already fetching super premium prices on the secondary market. 10,200 bottles of Ichiro's blend are on offer globally. 53.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Very limited allocation.

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• 2010 Ichiro's Malt 5 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml) - Bottled for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2015

  JAPAN

  $3999. 00

  Bottle

  $47988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 60.8%

  This hard to find vatting of two casks of Ichiro's malt was drawn from a first fill bourbon barrel and a third fill puncheon (reportedly x sherry). Limited to 593 bottles, it's part of Ichiro’s 'Vanishing Animal Series', with this bottling referred to as the 'Owl Edition'. Extremely limited. 60.8% Alc./Vol.

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• Ichiro's Malt MWR Mizunara Wood Reserve Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $299. 00

  Bottle

  $3588.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  "Once encountered, never forgotten. "
  - Dave Broom, whiskyadvocate.com.

  Chichibu founder and craft distiller, Ichiro Akuto, has created a vatting of single malts and matured them in Japanese Mizunara oak casks (Quercus mongolica), commonly referred to as Japanese oak. Suntory set a precedent for experimenting with this indigenous species. It presented a logical alternative for distillers after the Second World War when supplies of foreign oak were difficult to source, but it turned out to be a far from ideal vessel. Mizunara's loose grains tended to cause leakage, and also created challenges in terms of timber selection and cooperage. Blenders at the time had few kind words to say about the wood. For consumers today, the obvious question is "Does Mizunara oak give a distinctive flavour to whisky?"

  Nonjatta, (www.nonjatta.com), one of the better sources for information on Japanese whisky, writes that most agree that it does.

  "This special taste/aroma has been variously described as evoking "sandalwood", a type of oriental incense called "kara" etc.. However, more recently, scientific research has focused on a distinctive coconut aroma associated with Mizunara barrels. A paper delivered by Yushi Noguchi at the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference 2008 in September tried to pin down this characteristic and makes fascinating reading.

  The researchers, supported by Suntory, The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, asked a panel of testers to score how much coconut smell they detected in two types of whisky: one matured in Mizunara and the other matured in White Oak barrels."

  The upshot was that Mizunara matured whisky tends to offer more definite coconut aroma. Other sources (see Dave Broom's review below) suggest it contributes attractive sandalwood notes. The whisky comes non chill filtered at 46%.

  Other reviews... The Ichiro of the title is Ichiro Akuto, scion of the family which owned the now demolished Hanyu distillery, and proprietor of the brand new and incredibly cute (yes…distilleries can be cute) Chichibu distillery — even the name’s cute. This release is a vatting of different (un-named) single malts from more than one distillery which have been aged in Japanese oak (mizunara, or Q.Mongolica). Mizunara has a highly distinctive aromatic spectrum — the Japanese say that it smells of temples, specifically the incense which scents Zen temples, but while totally accurate, that’s not much help if you haven’t been to one. Think of a heavy, exotic aroma of allspice, sandalwood, even redwood, and you’re almost there. In fact, if you think of the perfumed aspects of rye, but turned up a notch, then you’re in the right ballpark. In this one there’s even a hint of trail bar — maybe it’s a hike in a California old-growth forest. The palate is soft and slow to start, then picks up mouthwatering acidity — there’s that rye parallel. Green plum and peach, balanced with spiciness on the end. Once encountered, never forgotten.
  89 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dave Broom

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• • 94

  2015 Chichibu Distillery Ichiro's Malt On the Way Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $699. 00

  Bottle

  $8388.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 55.5%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
  Tasting note: One of a series "on the way" to a five year old release. Flawless bright gold. Whisper-soft, floral aromas of pear drops, cream tea biscuits, smoky cardamom and possibly a trace of peat. Medium bodied showing amazing poise and grace at high ABV, this offers super pure flavours of spicy stewed orchard fruits, jasmine, vanilla and a juicy, lip-smacking malt finish. A gorgeous whisky with impeccable balance. The floral / fruity qualities linger in the aftertaste. 10,700 bottles released. 55.5% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.

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• 2017 Ichiro's Malt Chichibu IPA Cask Finish Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $899. 00

  Bottle

  $10788.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 57.5%

  An intriguing (and extremely limited) Japanese entry that references Glenfiddich's experimental IPA release from a few years back. Ichiro Akuto's new distillery, 'Chichibu', opened in 2008.

  Other reviews... The casks first contain Chichibu whisky, then refilled with IPA beer from a number of different IPA craft breweries before being refilled with Chichibu whisky for finishing. The Chichibu quality is there but the final product is extremely cask forward in profile and for my tastes maybe a little too much so. Almost like a novelty whisky. 6700 bottles. 57.5% Alc./Vol. - thejapanesewhiskyreview.com

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• Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (200ml)

  JAPAN

  $99. 99

  Bottle

  $1199.88 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  A vatting of whisky from both the now closed Hanyu and Chichibu distilleries in a 200ml format.
  Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Chichibu Distillery (est. 2004), is also the grandson of the founder of Hanyu distillery (shut down in 2000 and dismantled in 2004). Ichiro rescued around 400 casks before the closure. This "Double Distilleries" release is a vatting of two whiskies: Sherry matured Hanyu and Chichibu matured in a Japanese oak cask. A rare treat. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

  No tasting notes available.

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• Ichiro's Malt Chichibu Chibidaru Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $299. 00

  Bottle

  $3588.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 53.5%

  Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu Distillery, which opened in 2004, mainly matures whiskies in bourbon casks, but also sherry casks, and new oak (American, French and Mizunara). Ichiro has taken the further step of establishing his own cooperage and one of the first projects he's instigated is to make quarter casks of 120-130 liter capacity from bourbon barrels, a practise first employed by the Scots. The smaller casks tend to accelerate maturation. Distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2014. 6200 bottles of 2010 Chibidaru are on offer worldwide.

  Other reviews... [2009 bottling tasted] Chibidaru is a Japanese slang term meaning “small,” which is appropriate given the size of the cask—quarter-size—used for maturing whisky from a chibidaru distillery. This has the intensity of youth with some lemon meringue pie, pomelo, and hint of night-scented stocks. As the nose suggests, this is a wee (chibidaru) sweetie with mouthwatering citrus character and soft-centered sweetness moving to mace, strawberry, and a popping candy finish. Akuto-san is making some great whisky. 85 points
  - maltadvocate.com, (Winter 2013) Reviewed by: Dave Broom

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• Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $350. 00

  Bottle

  $4200.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  Note: Box has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
  A vatting of whisky from both the now closed Hanyu and Chichibu distilleries.
  Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Chichibu Distillery (est. 2004), is also the grandson of the founder of Hanyu distillery (shut down in 2000 and dismantled in 2004). Ichiro rescued around 400 casks before the closure. This "Double Distilleries" release is a vatting of two whiskies: Sherry matured Hanyu and Chichibu matured in a Japanese oak cask. A rare treat. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

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• Ichiros Malt Set of Three Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (3 x 200ml)

  JAPAN

  $199. 00

  Bottle

  $2388.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
  For those who are looking into the world of mid to high-end Japanese Whiskies, here is a worthwhile foray into what this delicate style of whisky has to offer. With four generous drams per bottle, this would be ideal for a few people pondering the perusal of these particularly precious whiskies. With a Mizunara (Japanese Oak) cask, Red Wine cask and a special double vatting from two of Japan's premier distilleries, your bases are covered for experiencing Japanese whisky at a high level.

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• Ichiros Malt & Grain Limited Edition World Blended Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $399. 00

  Bottle

  $4788.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 48%

  Note: Box has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

  Ichiro Akuto's 'Limited Edition' world blend weighs in at a slightly higher ABV than the standard issue white label 'Malt & Grain'. Also made using local and imported whiskies, non chill filtration and a decent ABV contribute added depth and mouthfeel resulting in a quintessential example of Japanese blending skill that's also food-friendly. 48% Alc./Vol.

  Notes from the producers... Nose: Apple pie, sweet corn, white pepper, honey, vanilla, toffee, sawdust. Palate: Baking spices, apple danish, salt, sweetened lemons, fresh ginger, white pepper, banana, sawdust, raisins. Finish: Banana, apple danish, white pepper, sawdust.

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• • 91

  Ichiros Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $135. 00

  Bottle

  $1620.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  Created by Ichiro Akuto at his Chichibu Distillery (est. 2004) using both local and imported whiskies, Ichiro's intention here is to offer a quality Japanese experience that's also affordable. His own malt forms the base, combined with 4-8 year old whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US. The composition is vatted in two 5000-litre wooden barrels built by renowned French cooper, Taransaud. Non chill filtration and a decent ABV contribute added depth and mouthfeel resulting in a quintessential example of Japanese blending skill that's also food-friendly.

  Tasting note: [15ml sample] Pale straw / gold colour with a faint green blush. Moderate aromas of toasty cereals, raisin toast with hints of fruits, wafer biscuit and cream. Soft warm entry. Mid palate bursts with tingly spices, fruit and cereals with nuances of smokiness. Finishes clean, juicy and tangy. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered with no colouring added.

  Other reviews... Delicate aromas of chamomile, marigolds, gardenias, peaches, apples, and vanilla undergirded by biscuity cereal notes transition seamlessly to an elegant palate of vanilla, green apples, malted milk balls, and fresh herbs. The finish has gentle spice that fades into warm chocolate with continuing creamy grain. A blend of Japanese and other whiskies that responds well to water.
  87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2017)

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• • Reduced

  Ichiros Malt & Grain Cask No.8259 Cask Strength Japanese Blended Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  Reduced from $2,999.00

  $2499. 00

  Bottle

  $29988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 59.7%

  An exclusive Ichiro released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of 'Claude Whisky', the first specialty retailer of Japanese Whisky in Japan. Finished in a Bourbon barrel (Cask 8259) and bottled in 2018, just 245 were offered for sale. 59.7% Alc./Vol. One only.

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• 2022 Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Peated Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $650. 00

  Bottle

  $7800.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 53.5%

  Although most of Chichibu’s current production is unpeated, peated new-make is sometimes produced during the last month before the maintenance season starts. After a four-year hiatus, it’s finally back. This is Japan's most acclaimed peated whisky, with phenols to match the likes of Ardbeg. The previous edition was bottled in 2018 for the 10th anniversary of Chichibu, and again, this limited release has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels for between five and seven years and bottled at cask strength. 11,000 bottles are on offer globally. 53.5% Alc./Vol.

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• Ichiros Malt Wine Wood Reserve Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $350. 00

  Bottle

  $4200.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46.5%

  Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve is vatted and bottled at Chichibu with no added colouring and no chill-filtration, it had a finishing period in French oak ex-red wine casks. Expect a whisky “rich with berry sweetness with chocolate and spices”. 46.5% Alc./Vol.

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• Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Peated Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $199. 00

  Bottle

  $2388.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 50.5%

  "The Peated" is the latest bottling from Ichiro Akuto at the Chichibu Distillery, which opened in 2008. Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2012, its phenol level is 51 ppm. Only 5000 bottles produced.

  Other reviews... Shows way more oaky thrust than the non-peated version...you can stand your chop sticks up in this one... works so beautifully in so many departments.
  91.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014

  ... NOSE : There are signs of youth with some yeast/wort. It is also fairly light. Pork rinds, ash and coal, brine, caramel chews, seared scollops. PALATE : Again fairly mellow for 50.5%. Lots of natural caramel, pepper, pork crackling, ash, diesel, lemon, oregano, some candyness, menthol. FINISH : Pork rinds, caramel, menthol, oak, ash/tar, some hot spices then sweet fizzyness.
  50.5% Alc./Vol. - thejapanesewhiskyreview.com

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• 2018 Ichiros Malt Chichibu The Peated 10th Anniversary Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $699. 00

  Bottle

  $8388.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 55.5%

  "The Peated" is one in a fairly recent series of super smokey expressions from Ichiro Akuto at the Chichibu Distillery which opened in 2008. Bottled in 2018, the phenols weigh in at a whopping 49 ppm! Stylistically, it's been compared to Ardbeg. 11,550 bottles produced. 55.5% Alc./Vol.

  Jim Murray's review on the 2015 bottling "Had I tasted this blind, I would have mistaken it for an Islay... Quite sublimely made malt. 95 points

  Other reviews... Colour: white wine. Nose: raw smoked wood and then sour mash, brine, cow stable, kelp, and a shovelful of damp earth – or autumn leaves. Some fresh almonds too. With water: drier, earthier, with some damp beach sand and simply seawater. Mouth (neat): very good, vertical, and quite Ardbeggian. Lemon and smoke, a touch of vanilla, a little brine (gherkin brine), and touches of rooty earth. I’d have said Ardbeg Ten at high strength. With water: even better. I remember an excellent official Ardbeg 1990 C/S that was like this. Finish: very long, very clean and well-chiselled, on peat and lemon. Comments: absolutely excellent. Hope it won’t be too expensive!
  89 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com

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• Ichiros Malt Chichibu Tokyo International Bar Show 2018 Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  $3499. 00

  Bottle

  $41988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 61.3%

  An exclusive, made to commemorate the 2018 Tokyo Bar Show, this collectible Ichiro's malt was distilled from 'Tipple' barley in 2011, matured in a Mizunara heads hogshead and bottled in 2018. With just 257 produced, you had to be at the show to buy it, so it will be a prized addition for any collector. The Chichibu Distillery opened in 2008. 61.3% Alc./Vol. One only .

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• • Reduced

  2012 Ichiros Malt Chichibu White Wine Cask bottled for Takashimaya Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  Reduced from $3,499.00

  $2999. 00

  Bottle

  $35988.00 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 61.2%

  A limited-run, cask strength Japanese malt with not a lot of information available. While the regard for Ichiro's is still growing in Australia, they have really taken off in Japan and other parts of Asia. In time, expect it to follow here too. This edition was distilled in 2012 and bottled exclusively for Takashimaya, (reportedly) a department store in Japan or Singapore. Unusually, maturation took place in a white wine cask. 61.2% Alc./Vol. One only.

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• • 85

  • Nick's Import
  • Reduced

  Kaikyo Hatozaki Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

  JAPAN

  Reduced from $119.99

  $89. 99

  Bottle

  $1079.88 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 46%

  Named after the nearby Akashi-Kaikyo bridge, the Kaikyo Distillery is located near Akashi City. It has a long history with the Yonesawa family who have been distilling since 1917 but only took to whisky very recently. 'Hatozaki' is the result, named after a nearby lighthouse (the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan). It's a blend of 5-6 year old Japanese and imported malts matured in x-Bourbon and x-sherry casks as well as indigenous Mizunara oak from the Hokkaido and Tohuku forests. Produced in small batches of less than twenty barrels at a time, it's described as having a pleasing dried fruit and cereal character with a slightly smokey and honeyed finish. 46% Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Lifted notes of wildflowers apricots are underlined by aromas of crushed barley and brown sugar. The palate is light and elegant with flavors of sugar cookie, almond milk, and beeswax. A truly exquisite whiskey. 94 points - Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

  ...This blended malt has stronger color and flavors than Hatozaki Finest, with scents of marzipan, orange sherbet, lime rind, apricot Danish pastry, and delicate wood spices. The palate keeps a focus on vanilla fudge and spice, but doesn’t really take you on a journey. There’s creamy vanilla, a slow burner of peppercorn, a little fudge, and honey for sure, but the anticipated fruitiness never really arrives. 85 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick 2019

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• Kamitaka Blended Japanese Whisky (500ml)

  JAPAN

  $89. 99

  Bottle

  $1079.88 Dozen

  Sold Out

  ABV: 40.3%

  A new release from Eigashima Shuzo, whose better known whiskies are marketed under the "White Oak" label.
  The Kamitaka brand (meaning "God Hawk") is based on the tale of a Japanese sea captain who witnessed a hawk flying around their vessel's mast during a dangerous mission, a symbol which gave hope to his crewmen. Otherwise, very little information is currently available regarding this whisky. 40.3% Alc./Vol.

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