Shizuoka has always been about expressing that locality - amongst the first of the new wave of Japanese craft distilleries to use local barley! - and also being one for doing the basics right and keeping its whiskies as they are, which has meant that whilst many distilleries actively focus on a full suite of cask finishings, that's hardly been the case for Shizuoka Distillery.

Till now.

Incredibly unusual for the distillery, it is now releasing a distillery exclusive Sake barrel finished Shizuoka Japanese single malt whisky!

And in keeping in line with its ethos - this is only because the Sake brewery it's worked with is a local Shizuoka brewer!

Where Shizuoka has by and large only used ex-Bourbon American Oak casks (of varying sizes), with only the rare outliers that come from its Private Cask program, this time it's partnered with a local Sake brewer who had pitched the idea of a Sake barrel finished Shizuoka whisky. And thus given its locality, Shizuoka Distillery had agreed and would loan out 50 litre Octave barrels to the brewery, who then used it to age Sake. Once the Sakes were aged, the barrels were returned to Shizuoka Distillery where it was used to finish two whiskies - a 100% Japanese Barley Pot Still K and a 100% Imported Barley (Peated) Pot Still W. Both were aged for four years in ex-Bourbon barrels first and then finished for 14 months in these Sake barrels.

Shizuoka Distillery Reserve 100% Japanese Barley, 5 Year Old No. 2919, Shizuoka Sake Cask Finish

The Shizuoka Distillery Reserve 5 Year Old Cask No. 2919 Shizuoka Sake Cask Finish comes in a 500ml bottle, at 53.2% ABV, and is made with 100% non-peated Japanese barley, that is then distilled with Pot Still K. It is aged for 4 years in ex-Bourbon barrels and then another 14 months in local Sake barrels in Shizuoka. 

It is priced at 19,800 Yen (US$129.55).

Official Tasting Notes

Aroma: Delicate and gorgeous aroma of green apple and pear with gentle honey and vanilla.

Taste: A harmonious blend of juicy green apple and mellow, rich sweetness and acidity.

Shizuoka Distillery Reserve 100% Imported Barley, 5 Year Old No. 2899, Shizuoka Sake Cask Finish

The Shizuoka Distillery Reserve 5 Year Old Cask No. 2899 Shizuoka Sake Cask Finish comes in a 500ml bottle, at 52.9% ABV, and is made with 100% peated imported barley, that is then distilled with Pot Still W. It is aged for 4 years in ex-Bourbon barrels and then another 14 months in local Sake barrels in Shizuoka. 

It is priced at 19,800 Yen (US$129.55).

Official Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe apple, orange. A subtle bitterness of citrus peel. Vanilla, caramel. Toasty malt.

Taste: Concentrated orange fruitiness, toasty grains, and a rich, mineral-like sweetness like brown sugar.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team