As with much of what passes for Japanese whisky, the spirit for this one was not produced in Japan, it was however matured there for at least some of its life. This "pure malt", a term no longer allowed in Scotland, means it is a blend of different single malts, or a Blended Malt. The sourced whiskies, almost certainly Scottish, where matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry before marrying and gfinishing in Mizunara, Japanese Oak. 43%.

Tasting Notes

Nose: salted caramel, raisins, dates and figs; firm new leather, fruity tobacco and candied nuts; chocolate covered espresso beans and Twizzlers black licorice.

Palate: round, fruity and spicy; more salted caramel, firm new leather, Twizzlers Black and salty Dutch licorice; a trace of juicy malt, dried dark fruits and more chocolate covered espresso; drying and spicy with more cinnamon sticks, ginger root and fennel.

Finish: medium long, coating, drying and spicy; elegant but subtle.

Comment: the Mizunara oak notes do not come through quite as prominently for me on the 15 as they did on the 10 year; this is a more mature, austere and understated malt.

Shinobu Distillery is located in Niigata (Koshi area) of Japan, which is famous for its “Three White” treasures namely snow, rice and sake. Quality whisky selected from all around the world is reserved in bourbon and sherry casks for more than 3 years and later finished with precious Mizunara oak in Japan. “Shinobu” in Japanese means forbearance, which is considered an important trait of Japanese culture; thus, the name reflects the spirit of making good whisky.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Butter, coconuts, candy, mint, grass, wood.

Palate: Smooth, a bit oily hint of Chinese incense, butter, vanilla.

Finish: Medium, sandalwood, vanilla.

The Matsui Single Malt Mizunara Cask is a Japanese whisky known for its distinctive notes from rare Mizunara oak, offering a complex profile with spicy hints of vanilla, oak, and cinnamon, alongside fruity aromas of pear, citrus, and tropical fruits (mango, papaya), balanced by subtle sweetness, malt, and often a unique salty, umami depth, resulting in an elegant, award-winning spirit best enjoyed neat with water to unlock its full character. 

SHIN Select Reserve Whisky is blended with 2 years finished whisky of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, that are both previously aged in Japanese Shochu cask (American Oak) for 3 years.

Award List:

Bronze (World Whisky Awards, 2022)

Double Gold Medal (San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021)

Bronze Medal (IWSC 2020)

Tasting Notes

Nose: cereal barley malt, some caramelised sugar and light treacle, hints of vanilla custard and crème brulee, fruity apples and pears, toffee and caramel

Palate: light and smooth initially, creamy caramelised sugar, caramel, fudge, toffee, vanilla, some spices begin to develop, a light wasabi heat and a little fennel give this a spiced kick

Finish: medium, balanced between creamy vanilla toffee and drying spiced oak and hints of peat

Kujira Ryukyu Single Grain Whisky 10 years was distilled from 100% premium Indica rice and matured in White Oak Virgin casks for more than 10 years.Nose: Rich and sweet butter with caramel, spices from sapwood like bourbon whisky.

Palate: sweet and buttery, like caramel, roasted wood, liquorice. With an extinguish taste of spice such as cloves and cinnamon.
Finish: bitterness with long finish of spices, that brings back the sweetness

Kura The Whisky Sherry Cask Finish is a Helios Distillery expression from Okinawa, Japan, aged in American White Oak and finished in Oloroso sherry casks. It is a 40–43% ABV whisky featuring a rich, complex profile with notes of dried fruit (figs, raisins), caramel, chocolate, and subtle smoke, offering a smooth, long, and sweet finish.

Suntory Whisky Ao is a Japanese blended whisky produced by Suntory, one of Japan's most renowned distilleries. "Ao" means "blue" in Japanese and is meant to evoke the image of the pristine waters of Japan. The whisky is made with a combination of malt and grain whiskies, which are carefully selected by Suntory's master blenders and aged in different types of casks, including American oak, Spanish oak, and sherry casks. The result is a smooth and balanced whisky with a delicate aroma of honey, vanilla, and oak, complemented by a sweet and spicy taste with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Suntory Whisky Ao is a premium whisky that is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and its elegant and minimalist bottle design reflects the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into its production.

Mars Shinshu Iwai is an approachable, bourbon-inspired Japanese blended whisky (approx. 75% corn, 25% malt) crafted at Nagano's high-altitude Mars Shinshu Distillery. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, it features a light, sweet profile with notes of vanilla, pear, and honey. Bottled at 40% ABV, it is ideal for highballs.

Kujira 15 Year Old is a premium Japanese single-grain Ryukyu whisky from Masahiro Distillery, crafted from 100% Indica rice and black Koji. Matured for over 15 years in Sherry, Bourbon, and American White Oak casks, this 43% ABV spirit offers a mellow, silky texture with notes of dried plums, chocolate, and oak.

Kaiyo The Sheri Third Edition is a premium 46% ABV Japanese whisky, matured in rare Mizunara oak and finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, often aged at sea for depth. It features a rich, complex profile with notes of dried fruit, toasted oak, caramel, and spice.

Saburomaru Junenmyo 7 Year Old is a premium blended Japanese whisky from the Wakatsuru Saburomaru Distillery, aged for at least 7 years to deliver a smoky, rich, and complex flavour profile. Bottled at 46% ABV, it features a blend of malt and grain whiskies with a, notable, smoky character.

Fresh wood barrel dominates the spirit with a touch of vanilla and flowers that lead to a breath of nectar. Maltose, a little bit tones of fruits citrus, Mizunara oak, coffee beans. Medium, woody, back to sweet aftertaste of maltose.

The flavor from alcohol is not that strong, compared to its labeled year, which tastes smooth and easy to drink. Award-winning : Shinobu Single Malt 10 Year spent most of its days in bourbon and sherry casks before it was transferred to Japanese Mizanura oak for a finish, imparting earthy, woody notes to the whisky.

A suitably well-rounded expression.

Eigashima Shin Serene whisky is named after Mr. Hiraishi, the eighth generation of Eigashima Shuzo. Mild and soft as the fascination towards Seto Inland Sea, light and smooth on the palate, just exactly the same as Mr. Hiraishi’s natural disposition in gentleness.Based on the unique centuries-old whisky blending skills and the tradition of sake brewery of Eigashima, Shin Serene whisky is carefully made by Toji, also the chief executive of Eigashima sake brewery. As a blend of whisky aged 3 years in a combination of sherry, bourbon, and Japanese shochu barrels, the fusion is well balanced and sublimated to a new level.
Tasting Note
Nose: orange peel, honey, pepper, spices
Taste: an oily mouthfeel, citrus, vanilla, light honey with a comfortable and slightly spicy shot
Finish: reminiscent of peaches and almonds, honey, mellow aftertaste
Color: amber

An accomplished blend packed with appealing flavors from Miyagikyo and Yoichi Distilleries. Honey, baked lemon, vanilla essence, brioche, golden syrup, and spring tree blossom aromas, with hints of butterscotch and caramel. Smooth, rich, and rounded, this has toffee, chocolate, red berry fruit, plum, vanilla pod, a touch of oak char, and clipped spices. A flash of peat smoke on the finish, with flavors of burnt sugar, baked fruits, and spices.

Kujira 10 Year Old Bourbon Barrel is a Japanese single-grain whisky from Masahiro Distillery in Okinawa, distilled from 100% Indica rice and aged over a decade in bourbon casks. It features a deep amber color with a smooth, sweet, and spicy profile, notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and a warm, woody finish.

Kaiyo The 1er Grand Cru 10 Year Old is a limited-edition, 46% ABV Japanese whisky matured for a decade in rare Mizunara oak casks, finished in French Grand Cru wine barrels, and aged at sea. It features a complex, rich profile with notes of honey, vanilla, coconut, and dried fruit, offering a smooth, lingering finish.

Japan has come a long way with making whisky with many master distillers taking their training right in Scotland and importing the Scottish heather for peat making. There is much quality here in Japanese whisky and dad would no doubt be surprised and delighted with this one, aged in a Sherry cask to give it nutty, toasty aromas and flavours.

Kaiyo Whisky Japanese Mizunara Oak is a Japanese blended malt whisky matured in rare, handmade Mizunara oak casks and uniquely finished via a three-month ocean voyage. Known for its complex, aromatic profile, this whisky is un-chillfiltered, generally bottled at 43% ABV (or higher in cask strength expressions), and designed to showcase the influence of the porous, delicate Mizunara wood.