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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.

A 9 year old blended whisky from Chugoku Jozo's interesting Togouchi range. The producers create their expressions with whisky from both Scotland and Canada, and age it in a railway tunnel in Japan.

This Amahagan World Malt Edition No.3 is a fantastic world blend produced at the Nagata distillery. Its a smooth and mellow creation that brings gentle fruits, fragrant wood imparted by mizunara oak maturation, subtle peppery spice and sweet caramel. Its a well-accomplished and carefully balanced creation that is further highlights the possibilities in the world blend category.

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. Amahagan World Malt Edition No. 1 Japanese Blended Malt Whisky is the first of its kind from the Nagahama Distillery. Filled at the end of 2018 with 47% only selected malt whiskies from the own distillery and a selection of malt whiskies from overseas. This whisky has aromas of chocolate, orange, nuts from oak, and vanilla across the nose. Rich fruit flavours on the palate like apples and oranges. A crisp malt sweetness from the Nagahama Newmake. A medium, fruit finish.

Fresh wood barrel dominates the spirit with a touch of vanilla and flowers that bring to breath of nectar, maltose, tones of fruits citrus, Mizunara oak & coffee beans; medium wood intergration, then finish with a sweet aftertaste of maltose. Very smooth, rounded full pallet and easy to drink.

Blend of barley malt and wheat grain whisky.Brewed and fermented at Kiuchi Brewery. Distilled at Kiuchi’s own Nukada Distillery and Yasato Distillery. Agefor over three years in Sherry and Bourbon barrels.

Kamiki is a new expression of premium Japanese style whisky blessed by Omiwa priests from Nara. To celebrate the timeless alcohol tradition of the region, rare Japanese malt whiskies and finest malt whiskies sourced from rest of the world are blended and later fused with the highest quality pure spring water. Aged in Sakura casks at the final stage after it is rested in Yoshino-Sugi casks. This two-step cask finish brings the essence Yoshino Sugi and Sakura wood with a distinct warming woodiness that reminds Nara forests with sandalwood and gentle spice, before sweet cherries notes. Nose: Cherry candy with ripe banana, chestnuts, and cinnamon on the nose. Palate: Woodiness, sandalwood and gentle spice, before sweet Sakura pedals. Finish: Spicy cherry with savory notes, leading to a floral, spring-like finish.

From the Hakushu distillery in the foothills of Mount Kaikomagatake comes their Distillers Reserve single malt whisky. A no-age statement expression that captures the smoky, herbaceous characteristics of their whiskies. Both lightly-peated and heavily peated malts were used for this complex and deeply enjoyable whisky. A hint of smoke and a lovely long finish.

The nose depicts fresh wooden barrel, maltose taste: Mizunara oak, maltose, nectar, coffee bean, fruit acids, slight fragrance of floral finish: This is richer in taste than the N A S Whisky. The sweet aftertaste is outstanding, and the barrel again brings out the different levels of spice flavours. Deep floral woody scent is also full of vitality and opulent flavour.