Kurayoshi The Tottori Blended Japanese Whiskey
A tribute to the province that has been Matsui distillery’s home since 1910. The Tottori range is composed of several Japanese whiskies. The use of the clean and fresh water from Tottori natural streams is key to the process. The Tottori Blended Whisky expresses Matsui’s 100+ years expertise in the art of aging and blending spirits. Aged 3 years in toasted oak. For a more authentic, pure and unique taste it has not been chill-filtered. Elegant, balanced with ripe fruit, hint of spices coming from the oak. Rich, floral & complex with spices, vanilla and chocolate. Refined finish.
White Oak Eigashima Sherry Finish Blended Japanese Whisky
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.
The Shin Blended Japanese Whisky
The Shin Blended Whisky is crafted by Mr. Ken Usami, the master blender of Shinobu Distillery who selected finest malt whiskies and finished them in casks made of Japanese Oak, Mizunara Wood. “Shin” stands for “Integrity”, one of the core principles of Samurai tradition.The blended expression contains 50% malt and 50% grain. The result is a unique fusion of flavours and dynamic explosion in palate yet so smooth and easy to drink. Subtle chocolate and hazelnuts teamed with soft citrus notes. All natural with no colouring.Elegant balance of smooth malt and harmonious mix of sweet spices. With a hint of vanilla, caramel, and delicate fruity flavour note. The palate displays subtle sweetness, with toasted bread flavour and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Woody aftertaste with oriental sandalwood aroma on the finish.
Jean Boyer Pastis Restanques
Domain des Restanques in Provence has over a 1000 aromatic plants like sage, wormwood, lemon verbena, rosemary, angelica, balm, coriander, mint ... others like gentian, savory, thyme grow abuntly in countryside. Jean Boyer selects 24 plants and 12 spices to macerate individually before blending and distilling. The pastis is then bottled without filtration to keep optimum flavour and colour resulting in an intensely elegant drink.
Grant's Triple Wood Scotch Whisky
Aged in three distinct woods for a smoother taste. Many whiskies take their flavour from just one cask, but we mature Grants Triple Wood in three different types of wood: Virgin Oak cask provides spicy robustness, American Oak lends subtle vanilla smoothness and Bourbon refill offers brown sugar sweetness, resulting in a smoother, richer, mellower taste.
Yamazakura Blended Japanese Whisky
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.
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Blended Malt Japanese Whisky
Lots of very warm reviews on the blogoshere for this no-age-statement expression of Nikka which reportedly over-delivers for an entry level whisky. Named after the company's founder, Masataka Taketsuru, and aged on average for around 10 years, it includes whiskies from the Miyagikyo & Yoichi distilleries, including malt matured in Sherry casks.
Pure Scot Blended Scotch Whisky
A brand produced by the Bladnoch Distillery in the lowlands, launched to celebrate their 200th anniversary. Bright gold. Moderate scents of vanilla, clove and light fruit cake. Second pass suggests stewed fruits. Light'n'easy in the mouth with pleasant mocha and muesli-like flavours rounded out by a soft flurry of spice. Ends drying, brisk and woody with subtle grains in the aftertaste. 40% Alc./Vol.
Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Finish Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky
In ancient times, the land around I-Lan in Taiwan was called Kavalan, a mysterious land that was solely inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavalan clan. The name was officially recognized by the Emperor of the Chin dynasty in the year of 1809 when the original city was also built under the same name. The second whisky in the Kavalan Concertmaster series is aged in the distillery's own special reserve of refill casks, then finished in the finest hand-picked Spanish Sherry casks. Wonderfully elegant, soft and fruity with delicate aromas and a complexity of layers, it showcases the art of Kavalan’s blending and the depth of flavours made possible in this unique subtropical climate.
Kirin Fuji Single Blended Japanese Whisky
Kirin Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky is a beautiful single grain whisky from the Fuji Gotemba distillery. They are one of Japan's most popular producers or grain whiskies. The natural environment around Mt. Fuji is blessed with lush forests, crystal clear water, and pure air. FUJI whiskies are delicately fruity and mellow, and have been nurtured over time in this environment, with its unique climate and terroir. Mt. Fuji Distillery is nestled at the foot of Mt. Fuji, 620 meters (2,035 feet) above sea level and 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from its peak. Since this is a misty area, Mt. Fuji can only be seen about 1/3 of the year, despite being at such a close distance. The high humidity maintained by a year-round blanket of fog, a cool highland climate with a yearly average temperature of 13℃ (55℉), and air purified by the forests at the foot of the majestic mountain has been combining to form its climate and terroir around the distillery. This natural environment, the cool highland climate with moderate temperature changes and high humidity, is ideal for making whisky. Because of this climate and terroir, the whisk(e)y produced at Mt. Fuji Distillery is mellow, and delicately fruity on the palate. Water plays a vital role in high-quality whisky production. With excellent and abundant water being essential, we call its water “mother water,” meaning it is a blessing from Mother Earth. This excellent water source is one of the main reasons why Mt. Fuji Distillery was built at its location. The “mother water” is drawn from the aquifer that runs 100 meters (328 feet) deep underground, where snow and rain that falls on Mt. Fuji is filtered and polished for 50+ years to reach the aquifer. Because of this climate and terroir, the whisk(e)y produced at Mt. Fuji Distillery is mellow, and delicately fruity on the palate. Master Blender Jota Tanaka. formerly of Four Roses Distillery, in fact the Barrels used at Fuji Gotemba are purchased from the same cooperage and the ex-bourbon barrels used for ageing some of the distilleries whiskies are from Four Roses as well. Fuji Single Blended is the embodiment of Fuji Gotemba's commitment to creating unique Whisky. Single Blended is a blend of malt and three different types of grain whisky produced at the one site; Fuji Gotemba. Master Blender, Jota Tanaka uses a combination corn, rye and malted barley distilled across doubler, column, kettle and pot stills. This creates flavour profiles similar to Scotch, American and Canadian style whiskies. The whiskies used in this blend are between 7 and 16 years old. Unlike most other distilleries the entire production process process from mashing to bottling happens at the Fuji distillery. The nose is of ripe peach, apricot, orange liqueur, delicately fruity with a hint of honey and oatmeal cookies. On the palate the flavours are of delicate yet vivid fruits, pear, apple, apricot and white grapes the finish is delicately sweet and fruity with a rich aftertaste and long silky finish.