Whisky from Japan

Region: Japan

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

Age: 2017-2021

ABV: 49%

Cask: Primarily Bourbon & Sherry

Size: 700 ml

Discover the 2025 Edition from Tsunuki, Hombo Shuzo's innovative second distillery nestled in Kagoshima, Kyushu. This year's annual release marks the fourth in the series, crafted from carefully selected malt whiskies matured across bourbon and sherry casks. After eight years of dedicated experimentation, Tsunuki has perfected a harmonious blend that showcases their commitment to quality. Expect an inviting nose of raisins, orange peel, and chocolate notes, followed by a palate of cacao and bright citrus freshness. The finish delivers a gentle smokiness balanced with lingering sweetness—a testament to Tsunuki's evolving mastery of maturation and blending.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Mars Komagatake Distillery (Hombo Shuzo)

Age: NAS

ABV: 50%

Cask: Bourbon, Sherry and Wine 

Size: 700 ml

The “2024 Edition” is a limited release single malt whisky, bottled in 2024. It is crafted primarily from bourbon barrel-matured whisky and blended with a selection of original whiskies, including richly flavored sherry and wine cask maturations. Single Malt Komagatake is made at the Mars Komagatake Distillery, nestled at the base of the Komagatake mountain range in the Central Alps, an area renowned for its pristine nature and exceptional water quality.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Shinshu Mars

Age: Over 3 years

ABV: 45%

Cask: Bourbon barrels, Sherry casks, Port casks, Wine casks

Size: 700 ml

Introducing this new expression from Shinshu Mars, the much anticipated flagship of their Komagatake range produced at their Shinshu Mars distillery in Nagano. Crafted without chill filtration and aged across Bourbon barrels, Sherry casks, Port casks, and Wine casks, this whisky achieves balance and can be enjoyed by beginners and connoisseurs alike. On the nose, discover inviting aromas of apple tea and apricots. The palate presents a velvety texture with honeyed warmth, toasted almonds, and stone fruits. A gentle, lingering finish with subtle sweetness provides a nice end to this well crafted Japanese single malt.

Region: Japan

ABV: 51%

Cask: New American white oak cask, bourbon cask

Size: 700ml

Maturation in new American white oak casks and bourbon barrels at the KANOSUKE distillery warehouse. A Gold medal awarded-winning in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Color: Clear Amber Brown. Nose: Butter sand, Apricot, Plum, Citrus. Taste: Marmalade, Vanilla, Orange, Almond. Finish: Vanilla, Dry Ginger, Cinamon, Gentle sweetness. (Tasting Note from Distillery)

Region: Japan/World

Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo) / World

Age: About 7 Years

ABV: 46%

Cask: Bourbon barrel, brandy cask

Size: 700 ml

Matured in bourbon barrels for about 6 years and a further finishing in Brandy Casks for about 1 year, only 300 bottles were released. While sweet & fruity on the nose (with hints of malt and subtle smoke), the palate brings through dried prunes combined with sourness of green grapes, malty notes and tannins with a pleasant lingering finish. A very enjoyable bottling indeed. 

Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times.

Region: Japan / World

Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World

Age: Reportedly about 7 Years

ABV: 46%

Cask: Bourbon barrel, cognac Casks

Size: 700 ml

This limited release bottling was supposedly launched exclusively for the Japanese department store Takashimaya in mid-2020. Matured in bourbon barrels (reportedly for about 6 years) and a further finishing in Cognac Casks (reportedly for about 1 year). Subtle honey sweetness balanced with fruits.

Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: N/A

ABV: 62% (Natural Cask Strength)

Cask: Bourbon cask

Size: 700 ml

This Single Cask bottling from the Asaka Distillery selected by and bottled exclusively for Mizunara has been matured in a Bourbon cask. Distilled: May 20.2020. Bottled: Nov 20.2023.

Color: Pale Gold.
Nose: Fresh & fruity with vanilla, honey and lemon cake.
Palate: Honeyed sweetness along with some green apples, pear and cooked peaches with subtle grassy notes evolving into salted buttery notes.
Finish: Lingering oak spices

Region: Japan 

Distillery: Asaka (Tohoku)

Age: N/A

ABV: 55%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon / Sakura

Size: 700 ml

This single malt Japanese whisky is made from non-peated Asaka whisky aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and finished in first-fill Sakura barrels (Cherry Blossom Tree) for at least one year. Limited edition of 1000 bottles.

Tasting notes Aroma: Salted cherry, sponge cake, floral, lemon-like citrus, distinctive earthiness. Palate: Baby sponge cake, cherry cream, good sweetness, good acidity for balance. Finish: Sweetness lingers for a long time, leaving a clean fresh palate. 

Region: Japan

Distillery: Eigashima

Age: 5 Years

ABV: 50%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon

Size: 500 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Kanosuke Distillery, Kagoshima

Age: NAS

ABV: 57% (Cask strength)

Cask: First fill re-charred ex-bourbon barrels

Size: 700 ml

The second release from the Kanosuke Distillery located on the picturesque shores of Fukiagehama beach in Kagoshima. Distilled from unpeated malt in 2018, this release is largely matured in first fill re-charred ex-bourbon barrels for about 3+ years. About 5,000 bottles have been released at a cask strength ABV of 57%. 

Color: Amber Nose: Citrus, Vanilla, Honey and Lemon Tea Palate:  Grapefruit with some cinnamon sweetness Finish: A balance of sweet fresh fruits, vanilla and dark chocolate bitterness.

Rated 90 Points/Silver Medal at IWSC 2022.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: 5 Year Old

ABV: 62% (Natural Cask Strength) 

Cask: First Fill American Bourbon barrel

Size: 700 ml

This Single Cask bottling from the Asaka Distillery for Takashimaya (The Japanese Department Store) has been matured in a First Fill American Bourbon barrel and bottled at natural cask strength of 62%. A total of 215 bottles were released in 2023. 

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: April 2017 - June 2021

ABV: 50%

Cask: First fill bourbon barrel

Size: 700ml

This Japanese Single Cask #17155 Single Malt Whisky has been matured in a first fill bourbon barrel and only 287 bottles were released in June 2021.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: About 3 years

ABV: 50%

Cask: Bourbon cask

Size: 700 ml

Launched in December 2019, this is the first release from the Asaka Distillery which is owned by Sasanokawa Shuzo. Established in 2015 with the first distillation in 2016, the Asaka Distillery sits on the site where several casks of Hanyu were temporarily stored by Ichiro Akuto san (with the help of Sasanokawa Shuzo at the start of Ichiro san's famous whisky journey). 

Reportedly matured in  first fill bourbon casks, only 1500 bottles were released. Vanilla sweetness and refreshing citrus notes on the nose/palate reflecting the bourbon cask maturation with a long lingering finish showcasing the distillery's new make spirit. While a very collectible bottle, it is a great dram to be shared with "friends and family" indeed.

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: Chichibu

Age: NAS

ABV: 51.5%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon/ Chibidaru/ Mizunara Heads

Size: 700 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)

Age: May 2017 - August 2023

ABV: 62% (Natural Cask Strength)

Cask: First Fill American Bourbon Barrel #17164

Size: 700 ml

This Single Cask bottling from the Asaka Distillery Released as "The Share" is a special bottling shared amongst various Bars in Japan (Bar Finch, Bar Furukawa, Bar Happy End, Bar Leichhardt, Bar Luckenbooth, Bar SpeakEasy Malt & Wine, Bar Three Martini, The Trad, Bar United, The Bar Vieux Carre 1, Bar Wizard, Bar Yamazaki)

This Single Malt Whisky has been matured in a First Fill American Bourbon Barrel #17164 and bottled at natural cask strength of 62%. A total of 225 bottles were released in 2023. 

Region: Japan

Distillery: Chichibu

Age: NAS

ABV: 59%

Cask: Bourbon 

Size: 700 ml

A special release, exclusively bottled for the 30th Anniversary of Bon Liquor Shop, this is a Single Cask blended whisky from Chichibu (comprising malt & grain) matured in a Bourbon Barrel Cask #4080 and bottled at an impressive 59%. 250 Bottles were released in November 2016.

Please note that the box is likely to have minor damage due to normal wear and tear. Sold in "as is" condition.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Chichibu

Age: April 2012 to January 2019

ABV: 55.1%

Cask: Bourbon

Size: 700 ml

A single cask bottling for Yokohama Grand hotel, this bottling has been made using Concerto barley and has been matured in Bourbon Barrel #1878 for almost 7 years. 215 bottles were released.