For this limited release, White Oak has produced this Akashi 5 Year Old Single Malt aged in Cognac barrels for four and a half years before being finally refined in casks of red wine. The Japanese Single Malt was then bottled without cold filtration and without colouring. The resulting whisky is rich and refined style with fruity, tannic and woody notes. Located in the city of Akashi in the Hyogo Prefecture, by the seaside of the Seto Island Sea is the White Oak Distillery. This distillery was founded in 1888 by Eigashima Shuzo and has been producing Sake and Shochu every since. In 1919, Eigashima Shuzo obtained a license to manufacture whisky and when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984, the White Oak Distillery was born.

This 100TH Anniversary limited-edition bottling pays tribute to House of Suntory’s unique design approach that brings “Monozukuri” craftsmanship to life and grounds it as part of Japanese culture. This same relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity and expressiveness, has inspired the design of this centennial limited edition. The bottle design for Yamazaki 12 YO pays tribute to Yamazaki, the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. This Yamazaki 12 YO Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 12 years in various casks, this limited-edition bottling is created in honour of House of Suntory’s centenary. Honouring its namesake, it is made in Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki means “mountain cape”, referencing its unique geographic location – secluded amongst a range of forest covered mountains. This limited-edition bottling pays tribute to House of Suntory’s unique design approach that brings “Monozukuri” craftsmanship to life and grounds it as part of Japanese culture. This same relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity and expressiveness, has inspired the design of this centennial limited edition. The bottle design for Yamazaki 12 YO pays tribute to Yamazaki, the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. The illustration captures this legendary distillery in deep copper tones from a low angle, looking up. This perspective is a reminder to always stay grounded and pay homage to our founder Shinjiro Torii’s dream of making whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftmanship. The subtle play on light and shadow symbolizes the sun, representing the future shining on our Soul. Colour, Amber Aroma, Ripe Persimmon, Peach, Vanilla. Palate, Coconut, Butter, Deep Sweetness. Finish, Sweet Vanilla, Woodiness, Pleasant Long Finish.

This limited-edition bottle celebrating the 100th Anniversary pays tribute to House of Suntory’s unique design approach that brings ‘Monozukuri’ craftsmanship to life and grounds it as part of Japanese culture. This same relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity, and expressiveness, has inspired the design of this centennial limited edition. The Hakushu 12 YO Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 12 years in various casks, created in honour of House of Suntory’s centenary. Nestled deep in Mt. Kaikomagatake, the Second-Generation Master Blender, Keizo Saji founded the Hakushu distillery. The blenders accepted the challenge of working with peat, made possible due to the distillery’s surrounding environment. The flavour was softened by the exceptionally pure mountain water, filtered through old granite rocks. This creates a fresh and gentle smoky single malt whisky, a revelation in Japanese single malts. Colour, Luminous Gold. Aroma, Vibrant with top notes of sage, ripe green apple, and hints of ripe pineapple. Palate, complex smoke revealing layers of herbal, grapefruit & acacia honey notes. Finish, Clean smoke that lingers with undernotes of fresh green citrus.

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery founded in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, it is said that Torii selected the land of Yamazaki at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, for its high-quality water source and natural environment ideal for whisky making. Yamazaki was born from the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky. Multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, Yamazaki whiskies are complex and deep. Made at Yamazaki Distillery, the birthplace of Japanese whisky, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. The House of Suntory honors the birthplace of Japanese whisky, capturing and celebrating the pioneering roots of one of the world’s greatest whiskies from the place Shinjiro Torii chose to begin the illustrious journey of Japanese whisky. Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has returned to the roots of what made Yamazaki Single Malt quintessentially Yamazaki: deep, complex and multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara notes. Yamazaki Whisky is Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery, multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas. From Yamazaki was born the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky. Spiritual and deep, made at Yamazaki Distillery, the soul place of Japanese whisky, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Whisky is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than 35 countries. Between 2014 - 2017, the annual Yamazaki Limited Editions were some of the most sough after annual release from Japan. These whiskies were limited in numbers and contained some of the best Yamazki liquid. Once they realised there were shortages they took these released to the wayside, making room for other non-age statement whiskies such as Essence of Suntory Volumes 3 and 4 and the recent Yamazaki Cask Finish releases. Back in 2021 and now again in 2022 we have again the Yamazaki Limited Edition 2022. This release was matured in Mizunara wood, resulting in an aromatic and creamy expression delivering a fruity and lively tasting experience.

Specially selected for its aromatic palette, the barrel for this limited White Oak Akashi 10 Year Old has the particularity of being a sherry butt, a large barrel of 500 liters used for aging the famous Sherry wines of Andalusia which in addition to strongly colouring the whisky, transmit a greedy aromatic richness. An expressive nose with typical aromas of whiskies aged in sherry casks with hints of dried fruits, chocolate, and nuts, which are met on the palate with notes of spices, tannins, and candied fruit. Located in the city of Akashi in the Hyogo Prefecture, by the seaside of the Seto Island Sea is the White Oak Distillery. This distillery was founded in 1888 by Eigashima Shuzo and has been producing Sake and Shochu every since. In 1919, Eigashima Shuzo obtained a license to manufacture whisky and when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984, the White Oak Distillery was born. Cask Number - 105206

Akkeshi began distilling in 2016, based in the Akkeshi District of Hokkaido, the concept of distilling and maturing single malt in Japan’s northern wilderness traces back to the very first plans of Masataka Taketsuru, a pioneer of the country’s early whisky production. No.4 in the 24 Sekki Series. Shosho means ‘the heat stops’ and represents the 14th of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars. Akkeshi’s single malt accounts for more than half of this blend and also includes imported grain Whisky (new-make) aged at the Akkeshi distillery. The average age is four years, mostly drawn from ex-Bourbon casks. Opens with campfire smoke, and plenty of saltiness. Honey, butter, and orange infiltrate the nose, while the palate is bright and fruity; a cacophony of citrus intertwines with a seam of smoke. There’s a pleasant, light bitterness on the finish. The Akkeshi Shosho Blended Japanese Whisky 700ml (2021 Bottling) has been awared World’s Best Blended Whisky and Best Japanese Blended, 2022 World Whisky Awards.

Suntory Whisky was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. For over three generations, Suntory's master blenders have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship. Shaped through masterful technique and served with a reverence for Japanese omotenashi, Suntory whiskies are among the most awarded and admired in the world. Hibiki is the paragon of harmony - launched in 1989 to commemorate Suntory's philosophy on living in harmony with people and nature. The name Hibiki means "resonance" in Japanese. Suntory Whisky Hibiki resonates with the subtleties of nature infused by the twenty-four reasons of Japan's traditional calendar and reflected in the twenty-four facets of its bottle's designs. Hibiki is a noble blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's globally acclaimed Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. These whiskies are meticulously blended to created a sense of "wa" - a oneness which unveils a full orchestra of flavours and aroma. This is the third edition of the Hibiki Blossom Harmony series, a Limited Edition bottling released in 2023. For the Blossom Harmony, the blenders at Suntory married Hibiki liquid with Sakura cask finished whisky, set to bring more of the same well-balanced, perfectly crafted whisky, but with a twist. The nose is full of wafting floral scents, Sakura, fragrant olive. The palate has a smooth mouthfeel, with expanding fragrances of acacia honey, pear and a refined sweetness suggestive of Sakura mochi. The finish is long lasting and rich with a brilliant aftertaste and that signature Hibiki creaminess.

Kanosuke Distillery is located along the beautiful white sands of Japan's longest beach. With a magnificent view of the East China Sea stretching out in front, this is the scenic location where 2nd generation president Kanosuke Komasa planned to build his dream distillery. Having inherited his desire to take on the next great adventure, it has become their home base for creating new whisky. Kanosuke 2022 Edition is a single malt Japanese whisky produced at Kanosuke Distillery between 2017-2019. Made with unpeated malt, it has been bottled at cask strength from a blend of barrels, with sherry casks as key. Enjoy the flavour as it lingers on your palate, like the sun setting slowly over the East China Sea.

Yuza Distillery was established in 2018 and to date has released just two single malts (The First Edition has already picked up Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Challenge) and is well on the way to becoming one of the country’s newest cult distilleries. Sitting at the base of Mount Chōkai in the heart of Japan’s snow country, Yuza is the first Whisky distillery in the country’s Yamagata prefecture. Operational since November 2018, from day one, Masaharu Sasaki and his young team have drawn on the example laid down by Chichibu’s Ichiro Akuto, to perfect an authentic Japanese Whisky that could compete with the world’s best, while remaining true to their sense of monozukuri and producing Whiskies that are uniquely Yuza. It’s early in the piece and yet all the signs — not least the meticulous attention to detail and limited production — point to Yuza becoming one of the brightest stars in Japan’s Whisky firmament. Yuza sits on the flats near the Sea of Japan and enjoys an abundance of soft water from snowmelt and underground springs fed by the sponge-like crevices of lava of the nearby volcano. Chosen for this purity of water and access to the port for their specialised equipment, the area also experiences a massive 40°C average temperature difference over the year. This is projected to super-charge the maturation of the Whiskies in barrel; Masaharu Sasaki estimates eight years maturing in Scotland will equate to just five years in Yamagata. To hone their craft, the Yuza Distillery team partnered from the start with Forsyths, world leaders in distillation equipment. Yuza’s entire distillery team is fresh to Whisky but nurtured and overseen by the Scottish still-makers, providing an essential blank slate to be moulded to a completely new formula, key to Yuza’s dedication to an unfettered style. Facility equipment is centred around five Canadian Douglas Fir washbacks and two stills, including a Glendronach-inspired spirits still with an extended line arm, designed for more surface contact to give cleaner flavours with fewer sulphites. Dedicated only to Single Malt production, this small operation (the distillery covers just 620 square meters) has passed up the opportunity to release any ‘newborn’ expressions. The wash is currently 100% barley from Crisp Maltings with plans to eventually include a local option. Early bottlings point to a non-peated house style, but several heavily-peated batches have also been laid down. While Yuza’s barrel program remains secretive - even when touring the facility, you’ll find all the barrelheads are painted over - the early signs pointed to a preference for ex-Bourbon barrels. Now there is a portion of Sherry cask in the mix and Masaharu Sasaki has spoken of his desire to increase his inventory, picking up stock whenever he can. This cask strength Whisky was carefully selected from barrels from the first season at Yuza Distillery from February to July 2019. It’s estimated, that this selection could contain up to 80% ex-Sherry barrels. As distinct from the First Edition - a very bright expression raised in ex-Bourbon cask - the Second Edition was blended for more complexity, depth and luxurious flavour. This has a very old-world flavour profile (slightly reminiscent of top-shelf Speyside) and the alcohol sits in excellent balance with the complexity of the spirit. There’s a whisper of peat on the nose, with fragrant cereal notes before a progression towards deeper stone fruits and fig. It’s luscious and oily in the mouth, round and slightly earthy with spice and oat notes. It finishes dry with traces of liquorice and a mineral tang.

Kanosuke Single Malt Japanese Whisky embodies Kanosuke Distillery’s concept of "mellow land, mellow whisky. It was produced using all 3 of their pot stills, aged in several varieties of oak barrels, and blended together after 3 years of maturation. The Second Edition of the 2021 Kanosuke was distilled from unpeated malt in 2018, this release is largely matured in first fill re-charred ex-bourbon barrels for about 3 years. About 5,000 bottles have been released at a cask strength ABV of 57%. Citrus, Vanilla, Honey and Lemon Tea on the nose leading to a flavours of grapefruit with some cinnamon sweetness, sweet fresh fruits, vanilla and dark chocolate bitterness.