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: Vanilla, plums, minty.

Palate: Slightly sweet, spices, vanilla, citrus, smoky oak.

Finish: Medium, sweet, woody, minty, slight bitterness.

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.

A blended whisky from Suntory's three distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Toki has a different composition to another Suntory blend, Hibiki, as its main components are Hakashu single malt and Chita grain whisky. It should work really well in a highball.

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

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

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.

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.

Tomoe Gozen, a legendary female samurai from 13th century Japan, who led troops into battle armed with a naginata and kaiken, lends her name to a Japanese whisky crafted at the Yamanashi Prefecture Distillery. Aged for 8 years in Mizunara oak barrels, this whisky combines grain and malt whisky to create a profile characterized by warm, fruity, and vanilla notes, complemented by hints of oak, red apple, coconut, and marzipan flavors. The experience culminates in a medium-length finish, embodying the spirit of this revered warrior.

This tasting set is specially created to showcase the very best that the world has to offer! Explore the flavours of Japanese whisky with this selection of tasty drams. Contains: 1x Hibiki Japanese Harmony 1x The Chita 1x Nikka Days 1x Mars Maltage Cosmo 1x Miyagikyo Single Malt

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

A cask strength variant of Kaiyo Whisky, a Japanese teaspooned malt which has endured a maturation in mizunara casks - known for being expensive though difficult for coopers to work with. These whiskies also spend part of their maturation at sea, to help develop their flavour profiles.

Shinobu Blended Shogun Edition is a blended Japanese whisky aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in Japanese Mizunara oak, resulting in a complex profile with notes of honeyed fruits, vanilla, caramel, and subtle hints of sandalwood, spice, and exotic florals from the oak. The palate offers a balanced, oily texture with creamy vanilla and caramel, while the finish is elegant and lingering, showcasing sweet oak and soft, aromatic spices.

The Shinobu Distillery, located in Niigata on Japan’s western coast, is renowned for its “Three White Treasures”: snow, rice, and sake. Master blender Mr. Usami Ken crafts Shinobu Pure Malt whiskies, blending malts aged in sherry and bourbon hogshead casks before finishing them in Japanese Mizunara Oak, known for its rich flavors of apples, pears, cloves, and nutmeg. The Shinobu Lightly Peated Pure Malt Whisky offers a robust body with smoky, toasty oak flavors. Unchill-filtered and free from added color, it preserves its complex character. The nose is minty and creamy with light peat and lemon hints, while the palate features moderate peat, toasted oak, and a hint of saltiness. The finish lingers with toasted wood sweetness and roasted malt.

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.

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.