Mars Iwai Tradition Japanese Whisky is soft and rounded, yet full bodied and mellow. The nose gives sweet honey, leading to a complex, peaty full bodied palate which gives sweet peat, orange marmalade, maple, burnt sugar cane, cedar and cigar.

Made from the blending of malts from the two distilleries of Yoichi and Miyagikyo, this whisky was the pride and joy of its creator Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Nikka and the father of Japanese Whisky. Light golden honey in colour with candied nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts on the nose as well as delicate and gentle smoke coming through with hay. Forward and straight pallet with juicy mouth feel, yet retaining a very gentle and sophisticated heat. Sweet apricots and peach dominate at first, leading to vanilla and subtle hints of ripe grape. Complex and long on the finish with lingering taste of dry herbs, leather and sweet pastry.

SHINOBU (meaning Forbearance in Japanese) Whisky is hand crafted by the creative master blender, Mr. Usami, by carefully selecting whisky from different distilleries which are first reserved in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks and then finishing them with precious Japanese Mizunara oak.

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!

The "Twin Alps" presented on this stunning label blends the "Central Alps" and "Southern Alps" of Kyushu, Japan. The Mars Shinshu distillery is located at Miyada, a highland village in the Nagano Prefecture, some 800m above sea level and making it Japan's highest whisky distillery. Utilising pure alpine water that flows to the Otagiri River, this whisky is distilled only during Japan's crisp winters.Mars has produced an outstanding whisky aged in bourbon barrels with lasting notes of subtle spice, oak and fruit flavours making it extremely easy to enjoy - straight, on the rocks or as a highball mix with soda and ice.Nose: Malt, light caramel, biscuit, cinnamon, grain spirits.Palate: Apple, light honey, oak, pepper, grain, vanilla.Finish: Sweet oak, black pepper, light fruit character.

Casamigos Blanco rests for 2 months and is crisp and clean. It finishes smooth with a hint of citrus, vanilla and sweet agave.

Our Noble Rebel Smoke Symphony is far from your everyday dram – this expertly blended malt will prime your palate with smoky peat and hits of chilli. And it doesn't stop there. Its subtle berry tartness and spicy finish comes together for a wonderfully unexpected flavour finale. Finished in Rioja casks. Non-chill filtered. Natural colour.

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.

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.

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.