Japanese Whisky - New Arrivals

Region: Japan

Distillery: Mars Tsunuki Distillery (Hombo Shuzo co., Ltd.) 

Age: 2017-2022, mainly from 2020/2021

ABV: 49%

Cask: Primarily Bourbon & Sherry

Size: 700ml

The 2026 Edition of Single Malt Tsunuki is composed of carefully selected malt whiskies, matured in a variety of casks, with a focus on bourbon and sherry casks.
This release marks the fifth in the Annual Edition series and the seventh overall, including “The First” and “Peated.” It reflects the continued evolution of Tsunuki’s house style, balancing fruity vibrancy with depth and energy.

The label design pays tribute to the distillery’s original tower, set against the serene natural beauty that surrounds Tsunuki.

Crafted at the Mars Tsunuki Distillery, nestled in the lush mountains southwest of the Satsuma Peninsula, the whisky benefits from a distinctive basin-like climate with marked temperature variations, as well as pristine spring water sourced from Mt. Kurata—ideal conditions for maturation.

Tasting Note:
Nose: Rich and vibrant, with aromas reminiscent of cheesecake and orangettes, gently layered with soft white smoke.
Palate: Juicy fruit notes, like pear compote, harmoniously balanced with the nutty richness of almond chocolate.
Finish: Lingering impressions of vibrant fruit lead into a long, full-bodied finish with depth and complexity.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama

Age: 3 years (Distilled 1 September 2021), Bottled 28 November 2025)

ABV: 57.6% 

Cask: Coffee Bourbon Cask

Size: 500 ml

Nagahama Distillery’s Fragrant Collaboration series features the Coffee Cask expression, created in partnership with Bankoku Coffee, a long-established roaster from Yamagata. This bottling uses Nagahama’s non-peated malt as the base, with secondary maturation in bourbon casks that previously held aromatic coffee beans. It is bottled at cask strength, with only 334 bottles released. The first nose is said to evoke a creamy café latte.

Tasting Note: Aroma: Opens with notes of espresso and dark chocolate, followed by a fragrant wave of vanilla and caramel. Palate: Dominated by rich coffee flavors, closely followed by creamy sweetness, toffee, and a hint of maple syrup. Finish: Warm and lingering, with a touch of cacao and the classic sweetness of bourbon casks.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama

Age: 3 years (Distilled 8 April 2022, Bottled 25 November 2025)

ABV: 55.9% 

Cask: Coffee Bourbon Cask

Size: 500 ml

Nagahama Distillery’s Fragrant Collaboration series features the Coffee Cask expression, created with Bankoku Coffee, a long-established roaster from Yamagata. The coffee character comes from second maturation in bourbon casks that previously held premium coffee beans, resulting in a rich, intense aroma reminiscent of dark-roasted coffee beans. It is bottled at cask strength, with only 376 bottles released.

Tasting note: Aroma: Dominated by a powerful scent of roasted coffee, followed closely by Nagahama’s delicate peat smoke with hints of caramel and bonfire-like char. Palate: Beyond the prominent coffee flavor, earthy peat notes reminiscent of soil and ash emerge. Smooth, with coffee, malt sweetness, and peat smoke forming a harmonious balance. Finish: Long with the lingering essence of smoke and roasted coffee.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi

Age: NAS

ABV: 55%

Cask: Bourbon, Sherry and Oak cask

Size: 500 ml

Nikka Yoichi Woody & Vanillic is a distillery‑exclusive single malt from Yoichi Distillery, released as part of the “Key Malt Series”. This limited‑edition whisky showcases the bold, rich character of Yoichi malt, with intense “woody & vanillic” notes that highlight Bourbon, Sherry, and oak cask influence.

Rated +86 at whiskybase over 54 votes.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: sherry, bourbon

Size: 700 ml 

A highly collectible annual release from The Yamazaki Single Malt “Limited Edition” series, the 2015 bottling is a non‑age‑statement Japanese single malt matured in a variety of casks, notably sherry and bourbon‑style oak, with components reportedly including some whiskies aged for over 20 years.  Rated highly on whiskybase +88 over 91 votes. 

Sold in "As Is" condition.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi

Age: NAS

ABV: 57% (Cask Strength)

Cask: Various

Size: 180 ml

A rare vatting of Whisky distilled between 2000 and 2009 at the Yoichi distillery, this has been bottled at an impressive ABV of 57%. This bottling contributes to te legacy of the Yoichi Distillery, which is known for its commitment to traditional whisky-making methods and the use of high-quality ingredients.

This is a 180 ml size, limited and souvenir‑style bottling

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi

Age: NAS

ABV: 55%

Cask: Sherry

Size: 500 ml

Nikka Yoichi Sherry & Sweet is a distillery‑exclusive single malt from Yoichi Distillery. “Sherry & Sweet” is one of three malt expressions in the Key Malt Series, alongside Peaty & Salty and Woody & Vanillic.

This “Sherry & Sweet” expression adopts a “sherry‑bomb” style, with rich notes of dried fruits, raisins, cocoa, and sweet spice, balanced by Yoichi’s oily, coastal‑tinged body and a gentle undertone of peat smoke on the finish.

Rated +87 at whiskybase over 123 votes.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki

ABV: 48%

Cask: Mizunara Oak

Size: 700ml

Yamazaki Mizunara Oak 2022 Edition is a limited‑release, cask‑defined Japanese single malt where the rare mizunara oak imparts Yamazaki’s signature sandalwood, incense, and coconut complexity. This is a “Tsukuriwake” (artisan‑selection) bottling, embodying the philosophy of “artisanship through a diversity of making”.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki

ABV: 48%

Cask: Spanish oak

Size: 700ml

This Yamazaki Spanish Oak 2022 Edition is labelled as a “Tsukuriwake” (artisan‑selection) bottling, embodying the philosophy of “artisanship through a diversity of making” by exploring how small changes at every stage of whisky production can generate entirely different flavor profiles from the same distillery.

This is a rich, oxidative‑style Japanese single malt, defined by the influence of Spanish oak casks, with dried‑fruit depth, wine‑like acidity, and Yamazaki’s signature layered complexity. 

Highly rated at over 90 points on Whiskybase, based on 32 votes (April 2025).

Please note that the lip of the box has been torn. Sold in "As Is" condition.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Hombo Shuzo co., Ltd. 

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Port Wine 

Size: 700 ml

Mars Whisky “The Lucky Cat Double Individuals May & Hana” is the 10th release in the popular “Lucky Cat” blended whisky series by Hombo Shuzo. This limited edition celebrates the personalities of two cats from the distillery’s founder’s household, May (20 years old) and Hana (8 years old), symbolizing contrasting traits of calmness and playfulness.

Mr. Hombo shares: "May and Hana are the only two among our four cats who prefer staying indoors. May, in particular, limits her activities to about 5 meters, from the living room to the kitchen. While her eccentric personality has mellowed significantly, she remains an old cat with a childlike spirit. Hana loves being on my wife's bed and often stays there all day, her gentle nature unchanged. And when it comes to doting on my wife, they're neck and neck! The sweet flavors of this blended whisky, derived from PX Sherry and Port casks, bring to mind these two sweet and affectionate cats."

Nose: Raw caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, raspberry, tangerine. Palate: Dried mandarin oranges, wine grapes, tannic bitterness, fruit gum. Finish: Oak-derived sweetness and peculiar bitterness linger with mild sweetness from grains.

Region: Tohoku, Japan 

Distillery: Asaka 

Age: N/A

ABV: 54%

Cask: Bourbon, Cabernet Sauvignon Cask (Aril wine)

Size: 700 ml

This Asaka Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky was distilled in 2019 from unpeated malt and bottled in October 2024. A very unique bottling indeed with the Asaka whisky being first matured in bourbon barrels for 3 years before being aged for an additional year in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from Napa Valley, a renowned Californian wine region.

This beautifully whisky is non-chill-filtered with natural color and layered with Asaka's signature notes of bright citrus and subtle sweetness, elegantly enhanced by the influence of the red wine casks. Limited Release with only 1,316 bottles available worldwide.

Awards:
Gold winner on Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2025
Silver winner on Concours des Feminalise 2025 

The 62% version of this bottling was awarded the Gold Medal at World Whiskies Awards 2025

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki & Hakushu & Chita

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml

The Hibiki 17 Year Old Japanese Whisky received the Gold Award at the International Spirits Challenge 2016. It also won the World Whiskies Award for Best Blended Japanese Whisky in the 13 to 20 years category.

The bottling with the glossy purple box packaging belongs to the older editions of this whisky, produced before Suntory discontinued this age-stated expression in 2018.

響17年，已停產。

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi & Miyagikyo

Age: 21 Years

ABV: 43%

Cask: various

Size: 700 ml

Nikka Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt Whisky is a premium Japanese blended malt crafted by Nikka, blending malt whiskies from their two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Bottled at 43% ABV and aged for 21 years. 

This highly acclaimed and award-winning whisky — named after the father of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru — won the title of World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky at the 2010 World Whisky Awards.

Sadly, this expression has been discontinued as of 2020 and limited bottles remain available in the market.

Known for its rich complexity and balance, the whisky offers aromas of fresh fruits such as apples and apricots, alongside notes of toast, vanilla, and floral hints. The palate is layered with malt richness, subtle peatiness, and nuanced sweetness featuring flavors of nuts, caramel, ripe fruits, and spices. The finish is long and tender, with lingering notes of green menthol, mocha, honey, and gentle peat.