Japanese Whisky – Spirits Ark

The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:10 +0000

This rare cask of Yamazaki holds vintage whisky distilled in 1990 and matured in Spanish oak sherry butt before being bottled in 2008. Unlike the intricate labels of standard releases, this bottle embraces simplicity, displaying only key details like the cask number and the total bottles produced. Yet, the whisky itself is anything but understated – rich, complex, and a true showcase of Yamazaki’s mastery and the depth imparted by sherry oak maturation.

Here we have three distinct expressions:

Yamazaki 1990 Single Sherry Butt #ON70644 (63% ABV)
Yamazaki 1990 Single Sherry Cask #ON70645 (60% ABV)
Yamazaki 1990 Single Sherry Cask #ON70646 (61% ABV)

Yamazaki 2020 Edition Set

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:10 +0000

The release of the Yamazaki 2020 Limited Edition range is a true delight, showcasing the distinctive elements that define Yamazaki whisky – from the casks used for maturation to the malt at its core.

This set includes all five bottles:

Yamazaki Puncheon 2020 Edition
Given the excellence of previous Yamazaki releases matured in puncheon casks, this release promises to be equally remarkable. Expect woody flavors and spices unique to puncheon barrel aging.

Yamazaki Spanish Oak 2020 Edition
Matured in oak casks from Northern Spain, this whisky takes on the unique characteristics of Spanish oak, imparting a concentrated sweetness and acidity to the multi-layered flavor profile of the Yamazaki.

Yamazaki Mizunara 2020 Edition
A hallmark of Japanese whisky, Suntory was among the first to pioneer the use of Mizunara oak for maturation. Renowned for its distinctive influence, Mizunara imparts incense-like sandalwood aromas and spices to the whisky.

Yamazaki Peated Malt 2020 Edition
Peated whiskies from Yamazaki are not common, and this release is no exception. This expression is matured in American oak barrels and hogsheads that once held heavily peated spirits, which make up only a small fraction of the regular Yamazaki.

Yamazaki Bordeaux Cask 2020 Edition
For this release, Suntory introduces French oak ex-wine casks, creating a blend of whiskies aged exclusively in these wine casks. The result is a whisky with a balance of sweet and sour accents perfectly complementing the familiar notes.

Yamazaki Smoky Batch ‘The First’ Limited Edition & Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Limited Edition

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:10 +0000

Suntory launched a pair of duty-free releases from the Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries, both matured for an undisclosed period and bottled at 43% ABV. Although intended as entry-level expressions, they certainly exceed expectations and punch well above their weight.

Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First

Crafted solely from smoky malts produced at the distillery, this blend offers a Japanese-style refined smokiness. The label, made from traditional Japanese paper Echizen Washi, features the name “Yamazaki” in brush calligraphy, rendered in the brand’s signature ink-black color.

NOSE

Tropical pineapple and sweet honey, enhanced by a delicate smoky aroma.

PALATE

A sweet, fruity profile, gradually unfolding with a delicate smokiness.

FINISH

A smooth finish with lingering notes of wood and peat.

Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition

This blend of malts, aged entirely in Spanish oak casks, delivers the sweet and bitter undertones the name suggests, while maintaining the refreshing palate Hakushu is known for. The design captures the essence of the harvest season, featuring tree leaves from the Hakushu forest as its motif.

NOSE

Apricot and prune enhanced by the warm, aromatic spice of cloves.

PALATE

Sweet Manuka honey and vibrant orange marmalade layered with subtle hints of cacao.

FINISH

A espresso-like bitterness that lingers in the finish.

Miyagikyo 10, 12 & 15 Year Old Set

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:09 +0000

Founded in 1969 as Nikka’s second distillery, Miyagikyo (formerly known as Sendai and Sakunami) was born to complement the bold, peaty character of Yoichi. Crafted from lightly peated and non-peated barley, Miyagikyo malts are distilled in pot stills heated by indirect steam, resulting in a flavour profile of elegant fruitiness and delicate mouthfeel. It’s been years since Nikka discontinued its age-statement lineups due to stock shortages, making these age-stated expressions all the more rare today.

Miyagikyo 10
Very approachable Japanese malt with a light body, yet brimming with floral, fruity flavors with a slightly sour edge.

Miyagikyo 12
Light and floral on the nose, well-matured with a full body, and a complex, vinous finish.

Miyagikyo 15
The oldest in the range, it earned an impressive 92 points from renowned whisky critic Jim Murray. Compared to younger Miyagikyo malts, it offers a fuller, more mature profile with sherry sweetness and nutty notes.

This product does not include a box.

Milwaukee’s Club 28th Anniversary Set 2006

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:08 +0000

This series of Chichibu whiskies was released to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Milwaukee’s Club Tokyo. Distilled in 2006, it began as American whiskey matured at an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky before crossing the Pacific for a second maturation in a single cask at the Chichibu distillery in Japan, creating a unique blend of American and Japanese influences.

Chichibu 2006 Cask #2969 for Milwaukee’s Club 28th Anniversary (52.8% ABV)
Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey aged seven years in Kentucky before maturing in cask #2969 at Chichibu. It was released in 2018 with only 109 bottles produced.

Chichibu 2006 Cask #1675 for Milwaukee’s Club 28th Anniversary (55.7% ABV)
Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey aged six years in Kentucky before maturing in cask #1675 at Chichibu. It was released in 2018 with only 102 bottles produced.

Chichibu 2006 Cask #1651 for Milwaukee’s Club 28th Anniversary (53.4% ABV)
Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey aged six years in Kentucky before maturing in cask #1651 at Chichibu. It was released in 2018 with only 108 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Chinese Zodiac Series

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:08 +0000

In 2015, the Chichibu distillery partnered with the renowned Japanese retailer Takashimaya to launch a Zodiac whisky series, beginning with the captivating Year of the Monkey edition. Since then, a new single cask whisky has been released annually to celebrate each zodiac of the year, with extremely limited quantities available.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2010 Year of Monkey (59.7% ABV)
Distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2016, this expression comes from bourbon barrel #644, with only 210 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2010 Year of Rooster (59.4% ABV)
Distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2016, this expression comes from barrel #2653, with only 296 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2011 Year of Dog (61.6% ABV)
Distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2017, this expression comes from barrel #1471, with only 271 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2011 Year of Pig (58.8% ABV)
Distilled in 2011 from tipple barley and bottled in 2018, this expression comes from bourbon barrel #1322, with only 211 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2012 Year of Mouse (63.2% ABV)
Distilled in 2012 from Braemar barley and bottled in 2019, this expression comes from virgin French oak barrel #2274, with only 244 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2012 Year of Ox (58.1% ABV)
Distilled in 2012 from floor malted tipple barley and bottled in 2020, this expression comes from red wine cask #9122, with only 243 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2013 Year of Tiger (63% ABV)
Distilled in 2013 from Concerto barley and bottled in 2021, this expression comes from virgin white oak barrel #2847, with only 196 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2013 Year of Rabbit (60% ABV)
Distilled in 2013 from Braemar, Tipple, Concerto and Propino barley, it is bottled in 2022 from barrel #9658, with only 266 bottles produced.

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu 2015 Year of Dragon (62% ABV)
Distilled in 2015 from Propino barley and bottled in 2023, this expression comes from French oak cask #4477, with only 221 bottles produced.

Ken’s Choice Jazz Instrumental Set 2006

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:01:08 +0000

Ken’s Choice is a jazz-inspired whisky series curated by whisky legend Ken Matsuyama, owner of a renowned whisky bar in Tokyo. Each release is dedicated to a musical instrument and features American whiskey aged in a single cask at the Chichibu distillery, creating a unique blend of American and Japanese influences.

Ken’s Choice Jazz Instrumental Contrabass Chichibu 2006 Cask #1651 (53.4% ABV)
This edition is dedicated to contrabass, released in 2018 with only 108 bottles produced. Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey matured for six years at an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky before crossing the Pacific for a second maturation in cask #1651 at the Chichibu distillery in Japan.

Ken’s Choice Jazz Instrumental Drum Chichibu 2006 Cask #1675 (55.7% ABV)
This edition is dedicated to drum, released in 2018 with only 103 bottles produced. Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey matured for six years at an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky before crossing the Pacific for a second maturation in cask #1675 at the Chichibu distillery in Japan.

Ken’s Choice Jazz Instrumental Piano Chichibu 2006 Cask #2969 (52.8% ABV)
This edition is dedicated to piano, released in 2018 with only 108 bottles produced. Distilled in 2006, the American whiskey matured for seven years at an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky before crossing the Pacific for a second maturation in cask #2969 at the Chichibu distillery in Japan.

Yoichi 15 Year Old Cask Strength Version

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 01:38:52 +0000

Discover this rare 15-year-old single cask whisky from Yoichi, marked with a cask number and bottled at full cask strength, with no added color or chill filtration – pure, unadulterated expression that is increasingly hard to find. Believed to have been released in the 1990s, this bottling was exclusively available at the Yoichi distillery shop in Hokkaido, with only a handful of bottles outside Japan. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the essence of Yoichi’s craftsmanship at its finest from the 90s.

Yoichi Cask Strength Versions

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 01:38:51 +0000

Discover this rare set of Yoichi single cask whiskies, each marked with a cask number and bottled at full cask strength, without any added color or chill filtration – pure, unadulterated expressions of Yoichi whisky that are hard to come by today! Believed to have been released in the 1990s, these bottlings were available only at the Yoichi distillery shop in Hokkaido, with only a handful of bottles exist outside Japan. This is a chance to experience the essence of Yoichi’s craftsmanship at its finest from the 90s.

This set includes:-
Yoichi <1 Year Old
Yoichi 5 Year Old
Yoichi 10 Year Old
Yoichi 15 Year Old
Yoichi 25 Year Old

Yoichi 15 Year Old Special Edition

huizhen — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 01:38:51 +0000

Yoichi, the jewel of Nikka’s crown, is the company’s first distillery established in 1934 to produce a range of single malt expressions. Founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi in Hokkaido for its climate, similar to Scotland’s, where he mastered the art of whisky-making. Carefully selected from malts distilled and matured at the Yoichi distillery, this single malt showcases a bold yet refined peatiness, with a subtle maritime influence.

Once part of the Yoichi core range, the 15-year-old was discontinued in 2015, along with all other age-statement releases, after Nikka was hit by stock shortages. Renowned whisky critic Jim Murray praised it as ‘an absolute must for anyone who considers themselves a whisky connoisseur.’

NOSE

Light fruity notes and vanilla.

PALATE

Immediately sweet with notes of subdued peat, vanilla, spice and a hint of nuttiness.

FINISH

A long finish with malt flavors and a hint of chocolate bitterness.