Japanese Whisky!
SASAKAWA WHISKY CO., LTD.
Japan
Sasanokawa is Tohoku Japan's oldest sake brewery, and they began distilling whisky in 1946 - as such, the distillery boasts a long history of producing small batch craft whiskies for the local area, using the excellent quality Koriyama city water. Their original Asaka distillery located deep in the mountains was revitalized in 2016 to take over production of their ji-whisky (local Japanese Whisky). They are also famed for assisting Ichigo Akuto in the launch of Ichiro's Malt whisky line by holding on to casks from the closed Hanyu Distillery.
Sasakawa Fine Blended Whisky
A masterful blend of malt whisky and grain whisky, both aged in bourbon barrels imported from the USA and put to rest for a minimum of three years. Easy to drink and very well balanced, the whisky has a bold, smokey character and a mellow aftertaste. Perfect by itself, but does well on the rocks or as a cocktail base as well.
Sasakawa Pure Malt Whisky
A masterful blend of three delicious and very different bourbon-barreled whiskies - Sasanokawa's un-peated malt whisky, a peated malt whisky, and a peated malt whisky finished in Spanish sherry casks after spending five years sleeping in bourbon casks. The whisky itself is astonishingly light, smooth and soft, with a hint of peaty smokiness hiding beneath sherry savor. The nose hints at Creme Brule, far-off nighttime campfires, and a whisper of a freshly opened old book.
Yamazakura Single Malt Whisky by Sasakawa
A uniquely fresh and vibrant single malt whisky fully produced, barreled and bottled by the masters of Sasanokawa Shuzo's Asaka Distillery. Aged in specially selected new bourbon white oak barrels, in an environment of drastic diurnal temperatures, this exceptional single malt whisky expresses soft and floral aromas of clover honey, vanilla bean, peach fuzz, rosewater and freshly picked sugar-snap peas and molasses, complimenting smooth flavors reminiscent of dried alfalfa hay, myoga ginger shoot, and marjoram with hints of juicy red fruit, with a long and gently lingering finish tasting of black pepper and sweet vanilla bean pods. Consume neat, or with a single drop of water to enhance the experience.
