Mars Shinshu 3 & 7 Blended Japanese Whisky
The Mars Three And Seven Japanese blended whisky takes its name from the whiskies used in the blend: a three-year-old grain spirit and a seven-year-old malt.Shinshu Mars distillery was founded by Hombo Shuzo, a Japanese shochu producer. Situated between the Northern and Southern Alps of Honshu, it is Japan's highest distillery.Nose: Light, green apple skins, marzipan, sandalwood.Palate: Sweet spice and subtle oak.Finish: Sweet spice with a hint of fennel and oak.
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!
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.
Onikishi Blended Japanese Whisky
Nagahama Roman Blended 8 Year Old Japanese Whisky
The Shin Malt Mizunara Oak Japanese Whisky
The Shin Malt 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. Shin Malt Whiskies are well balanced between the woody flavor and incense of sandalwood from Mizunara Oak and the bold aged maltiness, which brings The Shin Malt Whisky a fruit forward and with a bit pepper and spice aftertaste. Elegant balance of smooth malt and harmonious mix of sweet spices. With a hint of hazelnut and woody note. The palate displays sweet vanilla and sandalwood aroma together with a hint of spice. All natural without colouring. Non-chill filtered. Awards: • Silver 92pts (International Wine & Spirit Competition 2021) • Gold (San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020) • Silver 93pts (Melbourne International Spirits Competition, 2020)
Mars Shinshu Twin Alps Blended Japanese Whisky
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.
Mars Iwai Tradition Japanese Whisky
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.
Komasa Hojicha (Green Tea) Japanese Gin
Komasa Gin is the craft gin label proudly presented by Komasa Jyozo, a shochu distillery in Kagoshima, Japan with over 130 years of distilling history. Gin and shochu both share the fact that they are distilled spirits. Drawing on decades of distilling expertise and know-how accumulated through making shochu, the distillery unveiled a new line of gins in 2018. Komasa Jyozo uses their rice shochu as the base for Komasa Gin, to which they add juniper berries and as few other ingredients as possible in order to let the main botanicals shine on their own. Komasa Jyozo’s goal is to utilize and express the natural fragrances and flavours of their quality ingredients to the fullest. With Komasa Gin, they hope they have hit upon a revolutionary style of gin that is eminently easy to drink and perfect for everyone. A wonderful tea-infused gin from Komasa Jyozo, the Hojicha expression is infused with juniper berries, shochu, Japanese cypress and roasted tea leaves from Kagoshima, which is one of Japan’s most famous tea producing regions. Roasting the green tea means that the caffeine bitterness is eliminated, making for a more aromatic, mellow flavour. Pair the gin with soda or even hot water in the same way you would with tonic for an intriguing, fragrant tipple. Roasted leafy green tea alongside earthy juniper, leading into a touch of sweetness and a fragrant, woody finish.
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
A unique Japanese whisky showing enticing aromas of sweet exotic fruit, ripe pear, cherry, citrus notes and subtle floral scents. Intense sweet fruity flavours of pear and apricot nectar and caramelized papaya. Finishes sweet with bourbon vanilla. The Coffey Still is the worlds first patented continuous still invented by Mr. Aeneas Coffey in 1830. Masataka Taketsuru valued the feature of this type of still, which retains the flavours of ingredients and also creates a distinctive texture. Complex, sweet and mellow flavours in Nikka Coffey invites you back to beauties of grain whisky.