Isawa Japanese Blended Whisky, 0,55 L, 40%

Togouchi Japanese Blended Whisky Kiwami 0.7L 40% Background information on Togouchi Kiwami: In the now difficult to keep track of the whisky market, it is very difficult for many manufacturers and producers to get attention. Unique selling points are becoming increasingly rare and can only be made clear to the customer with great effort. It is therefore a great help if you can tell an interesting story about the production of your whisky. The best example of this is the Japanese whisky producer Togouchi, which has operated its own distillery on the main island of Honshu since 1918. The so-called Chugoku Jozo distillery initially produced typical Japanese specialties such as fruit liqueurs, sake or the high-proof brandy shochu. Following their love of whisky, they finally began creating their own product in 1990. It should be noted, however, that Togouchi does not distill the whisky itself but buys various individual distillates from Canada and Scotland. A harmonious composition is then created from these in Japan. Since Japanese whisky makers are famous worldwide for their blending skills, it is not surprising that all of Togouchi's qualities have a complex and extremely sublime taste profile and have received numerous awards. What makes Togouchi whiskies unique and unmistakable, however, is the extraordinary maturation process. All whiskies are stored in a 361 m long, disused railway tunnel that runs through massive mountain rock. There, a constant temperature of 15 °C and constant humidity prevail all year round, i.e. optimal conditions for whisky maturation. The Chugoku Jozo distillery showcases the pinnacle of its art with the Togouchi Kiwami. The strictly limited special edition was only released on the French market. Fortunately, a few bottles made it to our shop. The Togouchi Kiwami is a blended whisky made from Canadian grain whisky and Scottish single malt that has been aged for many years. The aroma and flavor profile shows a typically Scottish character and a harmonious lightness, which clearly indicates a high malt content. Taste of the Togouchi Kiwami: As soon as you open the elegant clay bottle, beguiling aromas rise to the nose. A balanced composition of delicate sweetness, fruitiness and pleasant spiciness appears. Herbal notes then initially emerge in the nosing. Coriander, rosemary and lavender are present until citrus fruits, vanilla and heather honey come to the fore. An intense oak spice forms an unobtrusive base. Overall, the Togouchi Kiwami impresses with a full, extremely complex bouquet and a refreshing lightness that is also continued in the taste. On the tongue, the Togouchi Kiwami delights with a strong, intense start. Vanilla, caramel, candied orange peel, pickled ginger and raisins are accompanied by a full oak load. In the background, there are even subtle hints of smoke that blend wonderfully into the complex interplay. The finish is full-bodied and warming and remains on the tongue and palate for a long time. With the Togouchi Kiwami, the Japanese manufacturer has succeeded in creating a truly successful product that elegantly combines the advantages of Scottish whisky with Japanese blending art.

Nikka Days Blended Whisky 0.7L 40% Japan The Nikka distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery based in Yoichi/Hokkaido. The path to this point was not easy - Teketsuru was already forty when he founded his distillery. Taketsuru came to Glasgow as a student in 1918, originally to learn more about brewing beer. Somehow, however, he was more fascinated by the art of whisky and so he continued his studies in this direction. When he returned to Japan, Taketsuru was hired by the second pioneer of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro, as production manager, where he contributed his experience for several years. In 1929, the two of them brought the first Japanese whisky onto the market. It wasn't long before they went their separate ways and Masataka Taketsuru founded his own distillery in 1934 and used it to ensure that whisky became increasingly well-known and popular in Japan. A good thirty years later, a second distillery, the Miyagikyo distillery, was founded. Nikka Days Blended Whisky Nikka Days Whisky is a fine blend of Coffey grain whisky and Miyagikyo single malt whiskies. It matures in bourbon barrels and thus gets its golden yellow color. The aroma of Nikka Blended Whisky is fruity to floral. Notes of orange blossom and pear can be detected on the nose. The taste also reveals sweet caramel and vanilla aromas. Together with a subtle spiciness and fine peat aroma, the components combine to create a true taste experience. A long finish of malty vanilla and apricot notes end in a beautiful aftertaste.

Roku Japanese Craft Gin 0.7L 43% Roku Gin from Japan belongs to one of the world's largest spirits companies, Beam Suntory, and has only been on the market since summer 2017. Despite its young age, Roku Gin has already established itself well. The name 'Roku' can be translated into German as the number six and in this case refers to six important Japanese botanicals. In addition to the usual botanicals, exactly 6 of the 14 used are regional herbs, spices and plants. So what is typically Japanese for Europeans and absolutely cannot be missing? Cherry blossoms and green tea. These are exactly the ingredients used in their pure form. Cherry blossoms and leaves and refined green Gyokuro and Sencha tea. There is also Japanese pepper and yuzu, a special citrus fruit that is very common in Japan. This combination has the following taste: Juniper clearly defines the fine bouquet and is initially accompanied by cone-like aromas on the nose, but the other botanicals are not neglected here either. However, you never have the feeling that you are being overwhelmed with aromas, rather each individual aroma flows gently into the next. Coriander and yuzu are the two aromas that most clearly support the juniper aroma.

Tenjaku Blended Whisky 0.7L 40% Japan Who hasn't seen the picturesque mountainous region around Mount Fuji in Japan? Tenjaku, not just the name of the whisky, but a town to the east of Kofu, in the Yamanashi region, is a very fertile land. High mountains and, above all, peach orchards and vineyards characterise the landscape. Tenjaku Blended Whisky A wonderful blend of single malt and grain whisky. After distillation, it is diluted with clear mountain spring water to a pleasant drinking strength of 40% vol. Light enjoyment, that is also what the label reflects. It depicts a sign of the harbinger of spring, Hibari, which in German best approximates the word Feldleche. The whisky should also reflect the freshness of spring and light enjoyment. The aroma has subtle smoky notes and a slight sweetness. On the palate, as expected, it is very mild and velvety soft. Vanilla, caramel and honey further refine the taste. Sweet fruit notes and oak notes round off the finish.

The Matsui Mizunara Cask Japanese Single Malt Whisky 0.7L 48% Kurayoshi Distillery With the Mizunara Cask Whisky, the Japanese distillery is presenting its first whisky that was not only bottled in Japan, but also fired and distilled there! After the distillation process, as with other whiskies, the maturation phase naturally followed. For this, however, the distillery did not leave it to mature in bourbon barrels like most whiskies; here too, local products were used and barrels made of Mizunara wood were used. This wood is extremely rare and so it is difficult to process into a barrel. By storing the whisky in this type of wood, it acquires its own unique aroma and stands out clearly from the crowd. The design of the label was also something special. Not only is it designed like an old parchment sheet, but it also features a special print: Mount Fuji is depicted with a red crowned crane, which is native to Japan. It symbolizes freshness and the special oriental character that the whisky is meant to reflect.

The Matsui The Peated Malt Whisky 0.7L 48% Japanese influences In order to always create a new taste, the distillery relies on the cooperation of whisky lovers and taste professionals. Nothing is left to chance here. In addition to the subtropical climate, which is caused by the proximity to the Sea of Japan, and the specially shaped copper stills, the choice of barrel type plays a significant role in the taste profile of a Matsui whisky. The Peated Malt Whisky The Peated Malt Whisky uses malted barley which is then peated. This is a much more powerful whisky than the Mizunara or Sakura Single Malt. This becomes clear when you look at this special label design. Another old woodcut is shown, this time it is the work of art by 'Katsushika Hokusai' - 'The Great Wave of Kanagaqa'. The image of the wave makes it clear that there must be something powerful in the bottle. In addition to the strong, full-bodied and sometimes complex aromas, the whisky leaves an equally powerful finish.