Whisky from Japan

Region: Japan

Distillery: Sakurao Distillery

Age: almost 4 years (Distilled on Nov 2020, Bottled on Oct 2024)

ABV: 62%

Cask: Bordeaux Red Wine Cask

Size: 700 ml

This Sakurao single cask (#7156) single malt whisky bottled exclusively for Whisky Live Hong Kong 2024 with total release of 255 bottles.

Nose: Beautiful red fruit cake, raisins, sweet spices. Palate: Red Fruit, raspberry, clove, cinnamon, refined tannin. Finish: Spiced cherry, black pepper, lengthy sweet spices finish.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Chichibu

Age: Vatting of various Casks

ABV: 56.4%

Cask: Bourbon, Mizunara cask and various

Size: 750 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Sakurao Distillery

Age: unknown

ABV: 50%

Cask: Bourbon, Sauternes wine casks

Size: 700 ml

The limited release Sakurao Single Malt Sauternes Cask Stillman’s Selection is a lightly peated Whisky, which has been first matured in Bourbon barrels and then finished in Bordeaux Sauternes wine casks, with a deep amber hue and a rich, complex profile shaped by its unique maturation process.

This bottle is part of the premium Stillman’s Selection range, reflecting the master distiller’s personal choice of the finest casks. It balances a light peated character with layered notes of fruit and honey, offering a harmonious blend of sweetness and depth.

The Sauternes cask imparts luxurious layers of honeyed sweetness, ripe fruit such as apricot, apple, and pear, alongside rich vanilla and gentle spices. The nose reveals aromas of golden honey, fresh apple, warm cinnamon, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, expect creamy custard, banana, and tropical fruit richness, complemented by a comfortable smokiness and oak aroma.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama

Age: 3-4 years

ABV: 50% 

Cask: Islay Quarter Cask, Bourbon from KOVAL Distillery, Oloroso Sherry Hogshead

Size: 500 ml

Nagahama released its first Single Malt, The First Batch, in 2022, followed by Second and Third batches. Entering 2024-2025, the series shows signs of accelerating, with this Fifth Batch released only about six months after the previous "Batch". This release is  approximately 3,000 bottles. 

Nagahama The Fifth Batch was distilled in 2020, aged for 2 years and 8 months in Islay Quarter Cask and the KOVAL distillery Casks of the US, and then further matured for 1 year in  Oloroso Sherry Hogshead.

Nose: Fruity notes of fresh orange and white peach, accompanied by the sweetness of apricot candy. Palate: The mid-palate unfolds with a warm sweetness reminiscent of honey cake and maple pancakes. Smooth with spicy notes of nutmeg and clove. Finish: Dry, elegant tannin from the sherry casks, lingering long after the first sip.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama

Age: 3-4 years

ABV: 50% 

Cask: Mizunara Oak, Islay Quarter Casks, Bourbon Casks, Koval Casks

Size: 500 ml

Nagahama Distillery has been operating since 2016. During this time, Nagahama has developed its World Blended series, "Amahagan," while also releasing single cask blends. After accumulating considerable experience, they launched their first Single Malt, "The First Batch," in 2022. The subsequent "The Second Batch," with its peaty style, was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, demonstrating that Nagahama has finally found its own path.

"The Third Batch" uses Mizunara oak, Islay quarter casks, bourbon casks, and Koval whisky casks. The spirits used are aged for 3-4 years and then bottled at 50% ABV. 

Nose: Smoky scent wafts from afar. The first aroma is a fresh malt scent. A deeper sniff reveals notes of raisins, dried apricots, and persimmons, mingled with hints of chocolate cookie, complemented by a moderate smokiness – quite pleasant! Palate: the beer is robust and smooth, with honey sweetness and malt notes intertwined, creating a pleasantly sweet and comforting flavor. Finish: The mid-to-late stages reveal peaty and smoky notes that linger on the palate. 

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama (Japan) x ARMORIK (France)

Age: NAS

ABV: 50% 

Cask: Crème Brûlée

Size: 500 ml

Nagahama Distillery in Japan and ARMORIK in France collaborated, ARMORIK provided a non-peated whisky made from organic barley, while Nagahama contributed several casks of peated whisky. Using the same whiskies, Nagahama's Master Blender, Yusuke Yaku, and ARMORIK's brand ambassador, Paul Klock, each blended their whiskies in different proportions to create distinctly different flavors. Both blends are limited to 1000 bottles each. This is the ARMORIK version of the Blend. The Nagahama version of the blend can be found HERE

Nose: Fresh, tangy citrus scent. Palate: Medium-bodied, with a light sweetness of cream and custard on the palate. After a short while, the flavors abruptly cease. Finish: gentle resurgence of French custard, caramel sweetness, and a subtle peatiness – an elegant touch. 

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama

Age: 3-4 years

ABV: 50% 

Cask: Islay Quarter Cask, Bourbon Cask, Mizunara Oak

Size: 500 ml

The sixth batch of Single Malt whisky from Nagahama Distillery features a base of Mizunara oak-aged spirits. Besides showcasing the unique oriental character of Mizunara oak, it also emphasizes the balance between the woody aromas and other flavors.

Nagahama used two distinctly different Mizunara oak cask spirits in the blend:

-First Fill Mizunara oak spirit distilled in 2020, exhibiting strong woody and spicy aromas.
-Second Fill Mizunara oak spirit distilled in the same year, contributing fruity aromas of fresh orange and white peach.

To enrich the flavor profile, Nagahama also added spirits matured in bourbon and Islay Quarter Casks, giving the whisky a touch of sweet tartness and a subtle smokiness. A total of 3,968 bottles were bottled.

Nose:  Woody aroma of Japanese furniture, complemented by the tartness of citrus, the sweetness of toffee, and a light smoky note – quite pleasant. Palate: Medium-bodied, with fruity notes and a sweet-bitter caramel flavor behind the smokiness. Finish: Long smoky woody finish.

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: 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: 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.