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Sasanokawa Shuzo Yamazakura Distillery
Founded in the heart of the Tohoku region of Japan, Sasanokawa Shuzo Co stands as the oldest Sake brewer, tracing its roots back to a rich heritage. Post-World War II, in 1946, the distillery obtained its license to produce whisky, marking a pivotal moment in its storied history.
One of the early gems from Sasanokawa Shuzo Co was the Cherry Whisky, a blended concoction bearing a charming connection to the company's former name "Yamazakura Shuzo." While the whisky has nothing to do with actual cherries, its name pays homage to the second part of their previous identity, "Yamazakura," which resonates with Sakura, the elegant Cherry Blossom.
The distillery's journey has mirrored the ebbs and flows of the Japanese whisky market. Through boom and bust cycles, Sasanokawa Shuzo Co weathered challenges, with bulk spirit imports temporarily replacing their own production. In 2010, they introduced new expressions under the Yamazakura and "963" brands, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
Sasanokawa Shuzo Co played a pivotal role in preserving whisky heritage. Notably, they offered warehouse space to Ichiro Akuto san for the Hanyu casks, preventing them from being discarded by the new owners of Toa Shuzo. The iconic first bottling of the Hanyu Card series in 2005 found completion within the walls of Sasanokawa Shuzo Co.
In 2015, Sasanokawa Shuzo Co expanded its commitment to Japanese Single Malt Whisky with the establishment of the Asaka Distillery. Commencing distillation in 2016 at the same site, this endeavour marked a new chapter in their whisky legacy.
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Sasanokawa Shuzo Yamazakura Distillery
$69.00 SGD
Unit price per$69.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan / World
Distillery: Yamazakura, Sasanokawa Shuzo / World
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Size: 500 ml
The Cherry/Cherry-Ex brand has been one of the earliest blended whisky releases of Sasanokawa Shuzo, since obtaining a license to produce whisky in 1946. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles and bulk spirit imports replacing their own production.
A gentle blended whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo. Light straw gold in color, very subtle nose and a gentle sweetness, easy, light mouthfeel and a simple finish. A perfect, daily dram in a highball.
$99.00 SGD
Unit price per$99.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan/World
Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Size: 700 ml
The Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky is made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a small distillery in Japan which has recently set up the new Asaka Whisky Distillery under their company as well. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times.
Tasting Notes: Orange blossoms on the nose, followed by oak, caramel, and fresh orchard fruit on the palate. Easy on the nose and palate, this is a very gentle whisky with an upfront sweetness that stays on the palate followed by dark chocolate in the finish.
$129.00 SGD
Unit price per$129.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan / World
Distillery: Yamazakura, Sasanokawa Shuzo / World
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Size: 700 ml
The Yamazakura 'Precious' Blended Japanese Whisky is made by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a small distillery in Japan. Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times.
This 'Precious' Blended Japanese Whisky includes a rich selection of malt whiskies in the blend delivering a more velvety palate and notes of vanilla, honey, apricots with an elegant sweetness balanced with malty cereals.
$139.00 SGD
Unit price per$139.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan/World
Distillery: Asaka Distillery & 4 World Whisky Distilleries
Age: NAS
ABV: 47%
Size: 700ml
A world blended whisky which combines Whisky from the Asaka Distillery owned by Sasanokawa Shuzo & 4 other unnamed distilleries from different whisky regions around the world. The key malt comes from the Asaka Distillery.
Tasting Notes: A hint of maple syrup and floral notes on the nose combined with a rich malt on the palate with some cereal notes, hint of spices and and subtle smoky aftertaste.
$149.00 SGD
Unit price per$149.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan/World
Distillery: Yamazakura, Sasanokawa Shuzo/World
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
Size: 700 ml
A pure malt whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo featuring notes of cherry, oak combined with an earthiness. The "Pure Malt" indicates that no grain whisky has been used for this bottling and features a greater component of Sherry Cask Matured whiskies . Their own distillation has also gone through turbulent times in sync with the Japanese whisky market's boom and bust cycles with bulk spirit imports replacing their own production through these times.
Nose: Sweet caramel with fresh green apples, tropical fruits like banana and cherry crumble pie. Palate: On the palate, some definitive sherry notes along with creamy vanilla and nuts. Finish: Subtle peat that rears its head towards the finish. A balanced vatting of malts with an overall rounded profile.
$369.00 SGD
Unit price per$369.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)
Age: N/A
ABV: 50%
Size: 700 ml
This is a 2023 Edition Single Malt Whisky which has been largely matured in Bourbon barrels. Nose: Fresh fruits such as grapes, green apples and baked cookie Palate: Vanilla sponge cake, some honey, melondrops with some notes of buttery citrus and plums Finish: Subtle smoke with lingering malty cereals.
In 2022, the distillery won the "World's Best Blended Malt" at 2022 World Whisky Award and this is their Single Malt release for 2023.
$399.00 SGD
Unit price per$399.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)
Age: N/A
ABV: 50%
Size: 700 ml
This Single Malt Japanese Whisky distilled at the Asaka Distillery has been matured in New American Oak barrels which gives it a distintive flavour profile comprising Toffee, Caramel alongside Oak spices, Cinnamon and Black Pepper. A rich texture on the palate with a subtle cereal notes and a hint of dark chocolate and dry fruits to finish.
$10,990.00 SGD
Unit price per$10,990.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan/World
Distillery: Yamazakura (Sasanokawa Shuzo)/World
Age: About 35 Years
ABV: 57% (Natural Cask Strength)
Size: 600ml
A rare and old whisky from Yamazakura aged for over 35 years. Initially in bourbon cask and reportedly finished for about 1 year in sherry casks. Specially bottled by hand at cask strength, this whisky is elegant, excellently balanced and rounded yet offering a variety of flavours including crisp buttered toast, ripe apricots with an oily texture and a lingering warm finish. A very rare bottle to find since only 55 bottles were released in November 2020 and each bottle has been hand crafted by Japanese Artisan Hideaki Kakurai, making each bottle unique and different than the other.
$399.00 SGD
Unit price per$399.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery, Sasanokawa Shuzo
Age: 3.5 Years
ABV: 62 % (Natural Cask Strength)
Size: 700 ml
This is a Single Cask bottling from the Asaka Distillery exclusively selected and bottled for MIZUNARA. Matured in a First Fill Bourbon Barrel #20090 and a total of 227 bottles released between Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Fresh & fruity with vanilla, honey and lemon cake.
Palate: Honeyed sweetness along with some green apples, pear and cooked peaches with subtle grassy notes evolving into salted buttery notes.
Finish: Lingering oak spices
Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to savour the marvels of this specially crafted Yamazakura Asaka whisky.
$399.00 SGD
Unit price per$399.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)
Age: NAS
ABV: 55%
Size: 700ml
This special Limited Release from the Asaka Distillery in the Tohoku Region has been finished in a Sake Cask after maturation in a first fill Bourbon Barrel #18151.
A total of 197 bottles were released.
$399.00 SGD
Unit price per$399.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)
Age: NAS
ABV: 51%
Size: 700ml
This IPA CASK FINISH Single Malt Whisky from the Asaka Distillery has been primarily aged in first fill bourbon barrels and then finished in Imperial IPA casks from HOPJAPAN, a brewery in Miyakoji-machi located near the Distillery.
Bottled in limited numbers as a Non Chill filtered and in Natural color, this Single Malt Whisky has a nose of citrus peels and cinnamon like spices with a complex palate balanced by the vanilla and honey sweetness of the Bourbon Casks and the freshness that is characteristic of hops with hints of dark chocolate at the back.
Released in Oct 2023, there were only 538 bottles.
$399.00 SGD
Unit price per$399.00 SGD
Unit price perRegion: Japan
Distillery: Asaka Distillery (Sasanokawa Shuzo)
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
This is a 2023 Edition of their PEATED Single Malt Whisky which has been largely matured in Bourbon barrels. While most of the Asaka Distillery produces Non-Peated Single Malt, they occasionally release a Peated bottling from time to time as well in limited quantities.
Available in very limited quantities.
In 2022, the distillery won the "World's Best Blended Malt" at 2022 World Whisky Award and this is their Peated Single Malt release for 2023.