Japanese Whisky

Unveil the richness of Yamazaki Golden Promise Single Malt Japanese Whisky 2024 Edition, a limited-release whisky that embodies the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. Crafted from the finest Golden Promise barley, this exclusive offering from the House of Suntory celebrates tradition and innovation. Originally cultivated for Scotch whisky in the 1960s, Golden Promise barley has become a prized grain known for its distinctive qualities, serving as a foundational element in Yamazaki's flagship expressions.

This whisky undergoes meticulous distillation and maturation in American oak barrels, resulting in a malty and luxuriously rich character. Its radiant Barley Gold appearance hints at the opulent flavors within. On the nose, expect aromas of ripe orchard fruits, sweet malt, delicate vanilla, and a hint of honey. The palate unfolds with indulgent notes of orange marmalade, creamy vanilla pudding, toffee, and dried apricots, complemented by subtle oak and spice. The finish lingers with sweet citrus and a touch of smokiness, showcasing its quality and depth.

Bottled at a robust 48% ABV, this 2024 release is a true celebration of craftsmanship, blending Scottish barley heritage with Japanese whisky mastery. 

The Bakemono Zukushi, or "Monster Scroll" can be traced to Japan's Edo period in the 18th or 19th century. The scroll depicts an array of Japanese yokai (spirits) who are taken from the country's local folk lore. The fourth edition of this series features a single unpeated New American Oak hogshead cask from the Komagatake Distillery in Nagano that depicts the large snakelike creature Sarahebi. Also known as a "Nure-onna" not much is known about these mysterious spirits who were thought to come from the sea and rivers.

Limited-edition, single cask single malt Japanese whisky produced at Mars Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, Japan Selected by Tokiwa Imports as a US-exclusive release Cask #T1185; the 2nd cask in the Mars Bakemono Series (released 2023) 100% malted barley, lightly peated (average 3.5 ppm) Aged a minimum of 4 years; distilled in April 2019 and bottled in June 2023 Aged exclusively in an ex-bourbon barrel

Cask #2 in the Bakemono Zukushi “Monster” Scroll-inspired series depicts Daichiuchi, the earthquake maker! This mohawked monster has a bird-like face and wields a mallet—a forceful creature that makes a fitting mascot for this robust, peaty single cask whisky distilled at Mars Tsunuki.

Tasting Notes,

Nose: A creamy nose of tapioca pudding and French vanilla

Palate: Dehydrated green apple, pear flesh, and spikes of peat with a long finish of salted pastry crust, black-pepper-encrusted charcuterie, and extinguished campfire

Suntory Kansha 100th Anniversary is a limited edition Japanese single malt whisky that was bottled in 2023 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the House of Suntory:

• Japanese single malt whisky
• 43% abv
• Comes with a Suntory branded glass 
  

The House of Suntory is a Japanese brewing and distilling company that was founded in 1899 by Shinjirō Torii. Suntory is considered one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky.

*180ml*

 A 31-year-old Karuizawa single malt, matured in a single sherry cask for more than three decades before being bottled by Elixir Distillers exclusively for The Whisky Exchange's Karuizawa Geishas series. The bottle features a label designed by our creative director Raj Chavda, paying homage to the exquisite, inaccessible beauty of the meiko on her way to become geisha. 

Tasting Notes
Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

Nose

Thick chocolate sauce and leather, with seaweedy umami, rich riverbank loam and singed raisins. Sweeter and lighter notes of minty dark chocolate and glacé cherries develop in the glass along with hints of menthol and blackcurrant. Mint fondant wrapped in chocolate builds before fading slowly to reveal old damp oak boards, polished oak tables and rich forest-floor earthiness.
Palate

A burst of dark brown sugar sweetness is balanced by deep earth and oak savouriness before mint and menthol burst through the middle. Bittersweet chocolate and dried cherries sit alongside cigar-box cedar and damp tree bark. Intense dried-fruit notes build: rich dates and prunes with sweet raisins and sultanas. Lighter fruit emerges, with dried pineapple and baked apples heavily dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Finish

Aromatic incense, cedar and polished oak provide a base for cherries, mixed berries, mint chocolate chips and chocolate-covered Seville oranges. The fruit fades away to leave bittersweet molasses and fragrant bark.

Karuizawa is the gold standard of rare Japanese whisky.

The distillery closed its doors in 2011, although it had not been producing whisky for over a decade. This particular discontinued 12 years old whisky 2001 won a Gold Medal in the Best Whisky of IWSC.

Founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is Japan's first bona fide whisky distillery. Sitting in between Osaka and Kyoto - served by the converging rivers of Katsura, Uji, and Kizu - the stills are varied in shape, size, lyne arm position and some are direct-fired while others are steam-heated. All of which allows for a creation of many different styles of spirit destined for blending as well as bottling as single malt.

An older expression of the excellent Yamazaki whisky. Fully matured in sherry casks for 25 years.

Age: 25 Years Old

43% ABV

700ml

A pure malt whisky that is characterized by the deep and flavorful richness with excellent balance that is unique to its age. A blend of rich ripe fruit and aged cask on the nose with complex changes in character as the finish approaches.

Established in 2018 by a company with long standing expertise making traditional Japanese drinks, their is one overarching principle at Yuza - quality above all. Nothing will compromise this mission and even at a fledgling age like this inaugural release, you can taste how special this whisky is. This is on the way to being one of the great whisky distillers in the world. Very limited quantities of this first edition available.

100th Anniversary Limited Edition. Representing a mastery of the art of blending, this delicate balance of several malt and grain whiskies is meticulously crafted to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas in celebration of 100 years of Suntory Whisky.

ENHANCED BY MIZUNARA OAK
In celebration of a century of Japanese whisky, Chief Blender ​Shinji Fukuyo and his team of blenders challenged ​themselves to rethink the Art of Blending for Hibiki. They chose to use of the legendary Mizunara oak as a sign of respect for Japanese heritage, rather than the more traditional sherry cask. The final blend is an exploration of how ​a single detail can alter the whole alchemy, creating this extraordinary whisky.

COLOR
Tender gold

Nose
NOSE
Refined and elegant with top notes of kumquat and jasmine, and a hint of soothing Japanese incense

Palate
PALATE
Subtly sweet floral flavor and parfum as the harmony elongates to introduce spiced Japanese sandalwood and agarwood notes

Finish
FINISH
Long and deep with undernotes of spiced Mizunara woodiness

One of just 173 bottles!
Single Barrel

The Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan was founded in 2005 by T.T. Lee, president of the Taiwanese food conglomerate King Car Group. His greatest wish was to open his own whisky distillery in Taiwan. Kavalan is the name of the Yilan region, which lies southeast of the capital Taipei. An important reason for choosing this location is the excellent water quality. In Yilan, there is enough cold spring water flowing through Snow Mountain. The Solist range of Kavalan Distillery includes specially selected barrels from the Master Blenders. These barrels are known for their individual character and fine quality. 'Fino' is the Spanish word for 'fine' and is the driest and lightest of all traditional sherries. This whiskey matures in the finest Fino sherry casks. Awards: - Distillery of the Year - International Spirits Competition 2021. - Distillery Visitor Centre Trophy - International Spirits Competition 2021 - Worldwide Whiskey Trophy - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2021 - GOLD Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2021 - DOUBLE GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021 - DOUBLE GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - GOLD International Review of Spirits 2019 - GOLD International Spirits Challenge 2017 - DOUBLE GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016 - GOLD International Wine & Spirit Competition 2016

Tasting notes:

Color: Dark amber with golden highlights.
Nose: Sherry, toffee, fruity, touch of chocolate.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, complex, fruity, touch of smoke.
Finish: Long lasting.