Sasanokawa Shuzo

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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 components matured in Virgin Oak, Ex-Bourbon & Sherry Cask Matured whiskies for reportedly over 5 years. It also has a component of peated malt at 50 ppm. 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Asaka Distillery, Sasanokawa Shuzo
• Age: 3.5 Years
• ABV: 62% (Natural Cask Strength)
• Size: 700 ml

This Single Cask bottling from the Asaka Distillery is exclusively selected and bottled for MIZUNARA, showcasing the unique character of Japanese whisky. Matured in a First Fill Bourbon Barrel #20090, only 227 bottles have been released across Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Tasting Notes:

• Colour: Pale Gold
• Nose: A vibrant bouquet of fresh fruit aromas, featuring notes of vanilla, honey, and lemon cake.
• Palate: A delightful honeyed sweetness complemented by flavors of green apples, pear, and cooked peaches, with subtle grassy notes that evolve into rich salted buttery undertones.
• Finish: Lingering oak spices that provide a satisfying conclusion to the tasting experience.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to savor the exquisite craftsmanship of the Yamazakura Asaka whisky, a true testament to the art of Japanese whisky-making.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.