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!

Stepping outside of the realm they are renowned for, high quality authentic Japanese shochu, Kyoya Shuzo has successfully made their mark in the world of gin. Using their own Kameshizuku sweet potato shochu as a base, this premium yuzu gin is flavoured with yuzu and hyuganatsu, sansho pepper,citrus fruits and juniper berries.

The key botanicals use to produce the Mars Wa Bi Damask Rose Japanese Gin 2018 Limited Edition bottle are all grown locally, with the exception of the juniper berries, Kagoshima Prefecture in South Japan on the island of Kyushu. The gin is blended with rose water made with local and organic Damask rose follower - the Queen of Roses. On the nose, this gin has floral aromatics, with a fresh, soft texture and delicate texture across the palate.

Yamazakura Blended Whisky is a release from Sasanokawa distillery, dating back to 1765 with highly recognised sake and schochu production. Based in the city of Koriyama Sasanokawa expanded into whisky in the 1940s. This represents a high-end complement to their entry level whisky range ('Yama' means 'mountain' and 'Sakura' means cherry tree, hence the beautiful label design). This blend is composed of four malt whiskies and one grain whisky. Orange blossoms, tangerine and gardenia on the nose, followed by cedar, burnt sugar and nashi pear on the palate. So quiet yet so powerful.

Mr. Ken Usami, the master blender at the Shinobu Distillery, selects the selected finest malt whiskies and finish them in casks made of Japanese Oak, Mizunara Wood to create the Shin Malt Whisky range. Shin stands for integrity; one of the core principles of Samurai tradition. Well balanced between the woody flavour and incense of sandalwood from Mizunara Oak and the bold aged maltiness, brining The Shin Malt Whisky a fruit forward and with a bit pepper and spice aftertaste. This non-aged whisky has an elegance balance of smooth malt and sweet spices. A hint of woody and hazelnut notes. Sandalwood aroma and sweet vanilla come together with a touch of spice. All natural without colouring. Non-chill filtered.

Attack on Titan collaboration with Oyama Yume Kobo, the series original author So Isayama's original drawing used for the bottles labels. Oyama Yume umeshu is made with Oushukubai plums from Oyama, which has said to be ideal for plum brewing, aged for more than 3 years it is characterized by a rich taste. This set is packaged in a specialty licensed gift box and includes 1 x Levi - Aged Plum Wine Yume Hibiki ABV 20% 1 x Elvin - Nanko Plum's Specialty Plum Wine ABV 14%

Togouchi Premium Blended Japanese Whisky is a blended release from Chugoku Jozo. Although it is blended in Japan, it is a mix of Canadian grain and Scottish Malt. Togouchi whiskies specificity is to be aged, blended and diluted in Japan. Scotch whisky barrels aging is held in a unique location, a 361 meters long tunnel dug in 1970 that offers ideal maturation conditions.

Mars Maltage Cosmo Blended Malt Whisky is an amber gold in colour. On the nose are hints of spicy stewed pears, walnut slices, and prunes. It is a light-to-medium bodied whisky with malt flavours and a smokey but sweet overlay. The finish is long with a mildly oily but spicy flavour. Mars Maltage Cosmo Blended Malt Whiskey is aged in sherry, bourbon, and American White Oak new casks. Cosmo is named after a mountain in the Japan Central Alps close to the Mars Whisky Distillery.

Note - item is not guaranteed to come in a gift box. From the Hakushu distillery in the foothills of Mount Kaikomagatake comes their Distiller's Reserve single malt whisky. This drop displays the herbaceous and smoky characteristics known to their whiskies. The The Hakushu Single Malt Japanese Whisky - Distiller’s Reserve was produced with both heavily-peated and lightly-peated malts for a deep and complex whisky. On the nose there are hits of grassy notes, pine, and peppermint. It is rounded out with cucumber and melon. The palate has pops of citrus zest and mint. The whisky finishes long and smoky.

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.