New to Whisky

Region: Japan/World

Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%

Cask: Unknown

Size: 500 ml

A gentle blended whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo. Light straw gold in color, very subtle nose and a gentle sweetness, easy, light mouthfeel and a simple finish. A perfect, daily dram in a highball, this blend also includes some aged pot still distillate.

The Cherry/Cherry-Ex brand has been one of the earliest blended whisky releases of Sasanokawa Shuzo, since obtaining a license to produce whisky in 1946. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles and bulk spirit imports replacing their own production. 

Region: Japan/World

Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%

Cask: Unknown

Size: 700 ml

The Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky is made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a small distillery in Japan. Orange blossoms on the nose, followed by oak, caramel, and fresh orchard fruit on the palate. Easy on the nose and palate, this is a very gentle whisky with an upfront sweetness that stays on the palate followed by dark chocolate in the finish.

Sasanokawa Shuz's 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: New Zealand

Distillery: Pōkeno

Age: NAS

ABV: Various

Size: 30ml X 6

Pōkeno distillery nestled in a warm, misty, humid valley protected by the volcanic hills which from which they source their pure natural spring water and sourced the finest barley from three family-owned farms in New Zealand's richly fertile South Island.

This tasting pack includes the following bottlings:

Pōkeno "ORIGIN" Aotearoa New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Pōkeno "DISCOVERY" Aotearoa New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Pōkeno "REVELATION" Aotearoa New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Pōkeno Exploration Series Totara Cask Finish New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Pōkeno Exploration Series Winter Malt New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Pōkeno Exploration Series Triple Distilled New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Region: New Zealand

Distillery: Pōkeno

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Bourbon cask

Size: 700 ml

Pōkeno distillery nestled in a warm, misty, humid valley protected by the volcanic hills which from which they source their pure natural spring water and sourced the finest barley from three family-owned farms in New Zealand's richly fertile South Island.

Tasting Notes:Toasted vanilla beans and sweet butterscotch give way to citrus notes, creamy toffee and hints of caramelised banana for a sweet, complex and lingering finish. (Tasting Notes From Pōkeno)

2024 Award-winning:
Silver Medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)
Gold Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Silver award at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards
A "Liquid Gold" award with a score of 94 in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

Region: New Zealand

Distillery: Pōkeno

Age: NAS

ABV: 49%

Cask: First fill bourbon barrels

Size: 700 ml

Pōkeno distillery nestled in a warm, misty, humid valley protected by the volcanic hills which from which they source their pure natural spring water and sourced the finest barley from three family-owned farms in New Zealand's richly fertile South Island.

Triple Distillation helps to concentrate not only the alcohol in the whisky, but also helps create lighter, more fruity flavours. Having only two stills, we performed the final two distillations in our 3600 litre spirit still, separating the hearts from the heads and tails each time. This bottling has been matured in only the finest first fill bourbon barrels.

Nose: Rich honey and vanilla with hints of citrus and toffee. Palate: A delightful mix of rich vanilla bean and butterscotch, complemented by sweet citrus notes and a hint of pepper clove. Finish: A long and rich finish, leaving a memorable impression. (Tasting Note from Distillery)

2024 Award-winning:
Double Gold Medal in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold Medal and Gold Medal on Category winner in the 2024 World Whiskies Awards

Region: Islay (Scotland)

Distillery: Kilchoman

Age: NAS

ABV: 46%, 46%

Size: 200 ml x 2

An excellent gift for the Islay whisky lover to sample the 2 core expressions of Kilchoman Distillery matured in bourbon and sherry casks. This set bottled by the Distillery includes 2 bottles of 200 ml each of Machir Bay (full bottle available HERE) and Sanaig (full bottle available HERE).  

Region: Speyside (Scotland)

Distillery: Glenallachie

Age: 8 Years Old

ABV: 46%

Size: 700 ml

GlenAllachie is currently one of Scotland's few independent distilleries, led by iconic Master Distiller Billy Walker (previously from Glendronach). This 8 years bottling has been matured in PX, Oloroso, Virgin Oak & 1st fill bourbon. Natural colour, Non chill filtered and released at a strength of 46% ABV. 

Nose: Heather honey, butterscotch and cinnamon, followed by waves of of ginger, toasted almonds and mocha. Taste: Lastings oftreacle, dried sultanas and butterscotch, with cinnamon, peppermint and honeycomb. (Tasting Notes form distillery)

Region: Japan / World

Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World

Age: NAS

ABV: 48%

Cask: Virgin Oak, ex-Bourbon & oloroso Sherry Cask

Size: 700 ml

A pure malt whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo featuring notes of cherry, oak combined with an earthiness. The "Pure Malt" indicates that no grain whisky has been used for this bottling and features components matured in Virgin Oak, Ex-Bourbon & Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured whiskies for reportedly over 5 years. It also has a component of peated malt at 50 ppm. 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. 

Nose: Sweet caramel with fresh green apples, tropical fruits like banana and cherry crumble pie. Palate: On the palate, some definitive sherry notes along with creamy vanilla and nuts. Finish: Subtle peat that rears its head towards the finish. A balanced vatting of malts with an overall rounded profile.

Region: Speyside (Scotland)

Distillery: Balvenie

Age: 12 Years

ABV: 47.8%

Size: 700 ml

Matured exclusively in a first fill ex-bourbon barrel (American White Oak), this is a single cask bottling from Balvenie and has a distinctively rich and complex palate with honey, vanilla, sweet fruits and subtle spices (Tasting Notes from Producer). 

Please note that the Cask No/Bottle No in the image is for reference only.

Region: Islay (Scotland)

Distillery: Kilchoman

Age: NAS

ABV: 46%

Cask: Ex-Bourbon, oloroso Sherry

Size: 700 ml

Flagship of Kilchoman. Predominantly matured in ex-Bourbon Barrels (with about 10% Oloroso Sherry Butt). IWSC 2024 Silver and IWSC 2012 Gold. Spirits Business Awards 2024 Gold. Best Islay Single Malt IWC 2016, Scored 98 Points and awarded "Gold Outstanding" in IWSC 2022.

Nose : Lemon zest, vanilla and distinct coastal influence give way to floral intensity, juicy peaches, pears, and wafts of rich spices. Palate : Bursts of tropical fruit and dried sultanas, warming smoke and waves of honey, malt, butterscotch and rich sweetness. Finish : Sherry-soaked fruit, cracked black pepper and sea salt. Long-lasting with layers of citrus sweetness and maritime peat smoke. (Tasting note from Distillery)

Region: Islay (Scotland)

Distillery: Kilchoman

Age: NAS

ABV: 46%

Cask: Oloroso sherry cask, bourbon cask

Size: 700 ml

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yamazaki

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml 

The core expression from the Yamazaki Distillery, this Distiller's Reserve showcases the balance between the various casks used in the vatting for this bottling including sherry casks and mizunara oak. A golden hue with fresh fruits on the nose, a palate of raspberry, white peach and coconut and finish of spices such as cinnamon. 

No Box Available.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Hakushu

Age: NAS

ABV: 43%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml

The peated single malt Whisky from the house of Suntory. Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve is a masterful blend of whiskies aged across the Hakushu range, resulting in a gently smoky dram infused with vibrant fruit nuances. This complex and deeply enjoyable whisky incorporates both lightly and heavily peated malts.

Nose: Notes of green apple, pear, mint, and a whisper of smoke. Palate: Flavors of citrus, melon, and honeydew, complemented by delicate herbs and a subtle smokiness. The experience culminates in a clean and invigorating finish.

No box is available.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Yoichi

Age: NAS

ABV: 45%

Cask: Various

Size: 700 ml

Yoichi is Nikka’s first distillery which was built in 1934. Nikka's founder Masataka Taketsuru was keen on making whisky which was similar to scotch given his training in Scotland. Hokkaido was a obvious choice was this distillery given the similar climactic  environment as Scotland. Yoichi Single Malt is characterized by subtle peat smoke originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation combined with the hint of saltiness delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process.

Please note that no box is available.

Region: Japan

Distillery: Miyagikyo

Age: NAS

ABV: 45%

Cask: Ex-Sherry cask

Size: 700 ml

The new single malt from the Miyagikyo Distillery of Nikka is a vatting of various aged whiskies matured in primarily ex-Sherry casks. Color: Gold Nose: Full flavoured and rich floral notes, beeswax and tropical fruits Palate: Malty cereal balanced with spices such as cinnamon, some ginger and chocolate at the back. Finish: Some tobacco with cooked fruits with a lingering softness. Sampling set along with other Japanese Whiskies HERE.