• Musashi is the pure malt expression from the Golden Horse range, which was relaunched in 2016 alongside the Bushu blended whisky.
• Golden Horse whiskies are made by Toashuzo, a lesser-known but impressive Japanese producer whose whiskies rarely get released outside of Japan.

Nose
Ripe banana, a hint of oatcake, coffee bean and wet grass

Palate
Soft notes of apple, pear and pineapple, with a core of earthy vanilla pod

Finish
Chewy barley notes linger

The Distiller’s Reserve is a new single malt from the Japanese distillery of Hakushu. The whisky has been constructed to showcase the qualities and characteristics of Hakushu’s young lightly peated single malts. These have been accentuated by blending with older heavily peated malt and aged (all of which are 18+ years old) American oak matured whisky. All the casks used have been hand selected by Shinji Fukuyo, who is only the fourth Chief Blender in owner Suntory’s 90 year history.

Hakushu is located on the slopes of Mount Kaikomagatake in the Yamanashi Prefecture, which lies to the northwest of Tokyo. It sits 700 metres (2,300 feet) above sea level. The location is reflected in the name, as Hakushu means ‘forest distillery’ in Japanese. As mentioned, it is owned and operated by Suntory and was opened in 1973, exactly 50 years after they opened their pioneering first distillery at Yamazaki. The current production capacity is three million litres per year. In addition, a new ‘experimental’ grain distillery has recently started operating on the site.

The Distiller’s Reserve joins the 12 years old expression to form a core range. They will be occasionally joined by limited editions, as has happened in the past. Suntory recommend drinking it neat or in a highball with ice and soda water. The Distiller’s Reserve is bottled at 43% ABV and will per bottle. It will be available very shortly in specialist whisky retailers.

KAICHO Reiwa Series 8 Year Old is the current era of Japan. It interpreted as beautiful harmony, represents a culture being born and nurtured by people coming together beautifully. A new Kaicho pure malt series named Reiwa to celebrate the reign of new Japan emperor.

TASTING NOTES:

COLOUR: Yellow Gold
AROMA: Elegant bright lemon and crisp apple
PALATE: A delicate and light malt FINISH: Medium and smooth finishing

Miyagikyo Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Miyagikyo Distillery. Nikka’s founder Masataka Taketsuru chose a valley in the Miyagi prefecture as the site for his second distillery, and started its operation in 1969. He aimed to make a complete contrast between the two distilleries, Miyagikyo and Yoichi, with different natural environments and production methods.

Miyagikyo malts are described as elegant and fruity. Made from light peated and non-peated malted barley, whiskies distilled in pot stills heated by indirect steam express a signature fruitiness and delicate mouthfeel.

This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that showcases the elegant style of Miyagikyo malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. This bottling has estery aromas generated by carefully selected yeast strains along with distinctive Sherry cask influence.