Nikka Coffey Single Malt Whisky
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.
Patrón XO Café
Patrón XO Café is an extraordinary blend of ultra premium tequila and the natural essences of the finest coffee. Unlike most coffee liqueurs, the taste is more dry than sweet. Made to be served in a 'sipper' glass rather than a shot, Patrón XO Café 50mL is the perfect size for such an experience.
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky
"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.
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.
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
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.
Talisker Storm Scotch Whisky
The Isle of Skye is the birthplace of the heralded Scotch Whisky house of Talisker. And it is this island that gives this remarkable and unique whisky its distinctive character. The power of the sea and the inherent rugged location give birth to a dram of complexity, nuance and strength. With a sweet warmth on the nose and front palate that gives way to a briny and peppery finish courtesy of the skilful balancing of differing aged Talisker casks. Available only for a limited time, Talisker Storm is a truly tempestuous single malt.
Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky
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!
Hakkaisan "Eight Peaks" Junmai Ginjo Japanese Sake
Warmth of sunshine on a clear day in cold winter mellows the snow is what this Sake express. This make you enjoy the mellow essence of tasty rice.
Houraisen Bi Junmai Daiginjo
Meaning beauty in japanese, Bi is one of Houraisen's flagship sake's. It is a very elegant style of the highest grade of sake, Junmai Daiginjo. Tank matured for 10 months at 10 degrees in order to have a rounder and more mellow character, it has a nose that indicates sweet fruits with the palate showing good balance between the gentle acidity and the sweet fruit flavours.