Whisky from Japan

Region: Japan & World

Distillery: Chichibu & Various World

Age: NAS

ABV: 46%

Cask: French Oak Wine Cask

Size: 700 ml

A vatting of Chichibu, Hanyu and several other world whiskies vatted in a rather unique Ovum (egg) - shaped cask made from French Oak, shaped in the Charentes region by the Taransaud Company. 

As we would expect, sweet wine notes, red berries with some spiciness on the nose and a palate which reminds us of fresh apples, caramel sweetness, mild spices and some light tannins. A medium long dry finish with some subtle chocolate bitterness.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Nagahama (Japan) & Armorik (France)

Age: NAS

ABV: 50% 

Cask: Mizunara Cask

Size: 500 ml

This Whisky is a collaboration between Nagahama Distillery in Japan and ARMORIK in France, whereby 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 catering to their palate. Both blends are limited to 1000 bottles each. This is the Japanese Style version by Nagahama's Master Blender.  The ARMORIK version can be found HERE.

Nose:  Sweet blend of citrus and oak, reminiscent of tanko (Japanese incense). Palate: Sweet blend of wood and saffron, with a very noticeable influence from the Mizunara oak, somewhat like the feel of Japanese furniture. Finish: Woody aroma, accompanied by peaty notes, continues into the long finish.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Eigashima

Age: 5 Years

ABV: 50%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon

Size: 500 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki & Hakushu & Chita

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 1000 ml

Please note that no box is available.

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: Yamazaki/Hakushu/Chita

Age: N/A

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 720 ml

This limited old bottling from Suntory was launched in 1983 as a special release in commemoration of Osaka 21st Century Plan in a handmade blue ceramic bottle. It's a rare to find bottle.

Please note that there is No BOX.

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.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi & Miyagikyo

Age: NAS

ABV: 45%

Cask: Various

Size: 660 ml

A rare and vintage bottling from Nikka, a blend of Malt Whiskies from the Yoichi & Miyagikyo distilleries. The reference to "maltbase" would imply there is no grain whisky in this bottling. 

No box available and sold in "As Is" condition.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Hakushu

Age: 12 Years

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Tsunuki Distillery, Kagoshima

Age: About 3 Years

ABV: 59% (Natural Cask Strength)

Cask: Bourbon barrel

Size: 700 ml

The first single malt whisky released from the newly built Tsunuki Distillery which was built in 2016.  Distilled in 2016/17, Tsunuki The First has been matured in bourbon barrels and bottled at a natural cask strength of 59% ABV.

Nose: warm toasted pecan, vanilla honey sponge cake, orange marmalade, rich butter toffee sauce Palate: mouth coating, citrus, gingery peppery spice, milk chocolatey sweetness, ginger bread, red dates Finish: long, tingling with gingery spice and walnuts. Rated 88 points on WhiskyFun (Link Here) and Rated 88 points on Whiskybase (Link Here). A total of 9984 bottles were released.

本坊酒造繼信州蒸餾所(Mars Shinshu Distillery)之後, 於2016年回到自己的發跡之地 - 鹿兒島 建立第二間蒸餾所 - 津貫蒸餾所( Mars Tsunuki Distillery), 更是現今日本最南端的蒸餾所. 溫暖的氣候令Angel's Share 高達6%, 但變相木桶熟成速度大大加快, 從而造出強勁豐厚的威士忌. 這次首發的單一麥芽威士忌是選用了首兩年蒸餾後的新酒, 在波本桶(Bourbon Cask)中陳年, 於2020年入瓶, 全球限量9984瓶.

聞上去濃郁柑橘類水果香氣，緊接香草和新鮮麵包香氣.

入口是豐厚的口感帶有蜂蜜甜味、柑橘類水果, 薑類胡椒類的辣感.

後段綿長柔和的朱古力奶甜味及淡淡薑味香料.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki & Hakushu & Chita

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml

This Hibiki Blender's Choice released around September 2018, soon after the Hibiki 17 was discontinued, this is rumoured to/believed to be the "replacement". A harmonious blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita presented in the traditional Hibiki 24 faceted bottle and reportedly aged between 12 and 30 years with an average age of around 15 years. 

Hibiki Blender's Choice offers a rich and complex profile, making it a valuable addition to any whisky collection. No box is available.