Aged in bourbon, sherry and American White Oak new casks, "Cosmo" blended malt whisky is named after a mountain in the Japan Central Alps close to the Mars Whisky Distillery.

While most other Japanese distilleries have followed the methods of Scotland, Mt. Fuji Distillery is influenced by major whisk(e)y producers all around the world, which explains this tri-part blend distilled using three different methods, each giving their own unique flavour profile. Although the exact mash-bill isn't stated, the backbone of the spirit is reported to be a 'Canadian style' grain, made with a batch distillation in something similar to a kettle still. That's supported by a Bourbon-style distillate using a Doubler, and a third Scotch-style light grain put through a continuous multi-column still. The triptych of profiles comes through in the flavours. Fuji smells a little more malt-like than typical single grain with creamy soda and vanilla malt enhanced by delicate fruity notes like stewed pears and caramelised apples. It's also fuller, richer and with more mouthfeel than you'd anticipate. There are the standard lashings of vanilla wafer but they sit over a backdrop of poached orchard fruits and warming wood spices, followed by more creamy soda, hints of dried banana and a lovely flourish of American oak which gives a Bourbonesque or light rye character to the finish. This release was initially for bars only, but from early 2021 it became available for regular tipplers in Japan and then abroad. A good thing. It's a single grain with terrific mouthfeel, and one that deserves a wide audience. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Notes from the producers... NOSE Aromas of poached pear, rustic fruit tart, Cognac and marron glacé. PALATE Seamless mouthfeel with multi layered flavours of poached pear, orange marmalade, raspberry jam, baking spices, and bitter chocolate. FINISH Mellow with gentle sweetness and pleasant spiciness, smooth with medium length finish and a hint of exotic incense.

Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt, multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas. Yamazaki 18-Year-Old is rich with mature autumn fruit resulting in a blackberry, strawberry and dark chocolate palate and long, spicy, smooth finish. It is not lacking in any flavour or aroma. Enjoy it on its own, over ice, or pair it with sticky pork ribs. Many have it with dark chocolate for that touch of decadence. Best to drink it during dessert or after a meal. Cart limit applies. Limited Stock

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.

Made with diverse unblended whisky brewing techniques and master craftsmanship developed over many years, this single grain whisky features a light and delicately sweet fragrance.

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.

To produce this release of Akashi Single Malt Whisky, the White Oak distillery aged this whisky in Cognac barrels for 3 and a half years before refining it for 10 months in barrels of white wine from the Akashi vineyard in Yamanashi County. The result is a Single Malt without cold staining or filtration, which has a nice balance and focused on woody and fruity 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.

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.

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured. DISCONTINUED. Following Suntory's lead, Nikka has discontinued its lines of extra-aged whiskies, with some reports that the shortage could last up to a decade before the taps are turned back on. Winner World's Best Blended Malt at the 2018 World Whisky Awards. Nikka's range of blended, pure malt and single malt whiskies will be exciting new discoveries for any Whisky enthusiast. This now discontinued 17 Year Old bottling is dedicated to the Father of the Japanese Whisky Industry, Masataka Taketsuru. The tale of Taketsuru's life is of the same fabric legends are made of. Sent in 1918 as young apprentice to Scotland by his Japanese employers to crack the secrets of Whisky, he not only came back with that knowledge but also with Rita Taketsuru (nee Cowan), who went on playing a decisive role in the development of the Japanese Whisky industry. Thanks to her connection to Japanese high society, Masataka was able to finance the company that is now known as Nikka Whisky. Forward a century later, Taketsuru 17 yo is awarded the Best Blended Whisky at the World Whisky awards 2012 and 2018, a fitting crown for this blend of Malts from the two Nikka distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo.