Finally, Yuza Distillery has released “YUZA First edition 2022” .Limited edition of 8,500 bottles.
Masaharu Sasaki, president of Yusa Distillery, says, “If you leave it to experts or veterans, the distillery will be stained with their colors.” Young staff members start from scratch to create a distillery that is unique to Yuza Distillery.
“YUZA First Edition 2022” was born with the strong conviction to “age until we are satisfied” and “focus on producing only products that meet the definition of Japanese whisky” . The time of dawn has finally arrived.
1. Manufacturer
Kinryu Corporation
| Establishment | April 1950 |
| Head office location | 180-1, Kusakariyaji, Kuroomori, Sakata-shi, Yamagata 998-0111, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Yuza distillery |
2. Distillery
Yusa Distillery
| Address | 20, Kakujida, Yoshiide, Yusa-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata 999-8302, Japan |
| Start of operation | 2018 |
This is the third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region opened by Kinryu Corporation in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018.
Blessed with fresh, clean air and subsoil water from the famous Mt. Chokai, which has been selected as one of the “100 best places for water” Yusa-cho is an ideal place for making whisky of the highest quality.
The pot still used is made by Forsythe, and there are five fermenters, using Canadian bay pine. The distillery uses Scottish methods for the production and maturation of whisky, and does not release young whisky into barrels. Focusing only on single malt production It is a small distillery where mass production is not possible. Because we are a small distillery that cannot mass-produce, we take great care in every detail to produce whisky of the highest quality with the utmost care.
The concept of Yuza distillery whisky
Concept “TLAS” .The whisky made at Yusa Distillery is called,
Tiny
Lovely
Authentic
Supreme
The concept of the Yuza distillery is “TLAS” , an acronym for the above.The Yuza distillery is a very small distillery for a whisky distillery, with a site area of about 4,550㎡ and a distillery area of about 620㎡. Although it looks small and cute from the outside, the distillery aims to produce whisky that is authentic and of the highest quality. The whisky is made using traditional methods, but with a commitment to Japanese “monozukuri” (craftsmanship) that is unique in the world.
Quoted from Yuza’s official website
For more information on the Yuza distillery, see also this article.
https://jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/yuza/
3. Product name and photo
YUZA First edition 2022
4. Characteristics
Carefully selected from raw materials casked between November 2018 and January of the following year, when the distillery had just started operations, the cask strength was chosen to allow the full flavor of the cask release to be enjoyed. Only bourbon barrels are used for aging. Enjoy the gorgeous and fruity aroma and taste to your heart’s content.
Reference: Yuza Distillery Product Introduction Page
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Sweet and gorgeous aroma of honey, vanilla, and apricot. Nuts and almonds. |
| Taste | Light to medium bodied with a smooth texture and a fruity sweetness on the palate. |
| Aftertaste | Some alcohol tingling and maltiness. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 61% |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Barrel type | Bourbon barrels |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 8,500 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | February 2022 |
5. Awards received
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | YUZA First edition |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | Tax included: 16,500 yen |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale price on Mercari is Around 34,800 yen to 38,000 yen It is a small distillery that cannot mass produce. (As of February 24, 2022)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo Auction
Sold price at Yahoo Auction is a Lowest bidder: 32,500 yen, Highest bidder: 35,000 yen, Average bidder: 33,600 yen.
(*Statistics for the past 180 days from February 24, 2022)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We have not been able to confirm any listings on mail order sites. (As of February 24, 2022)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
At BAR SHINKAI, which is operated by this website, we offer 1 glass, 45ml: 5,610 yen, 30ml: 3,740 yen, 15ml: 1,870 yen (as of February 24, 2022) is available at.
7. Summary
You can’t help but feel the youthfulness of the original wine, but for the cask strength alcohol content, it is not tense and has a smooth texture. The sweet aroma of nuts, almonds, vanilla, and honey flows smoothly into the mouth, stimulating the tongue with a tingling yet fruity taste. You can feel some youth and cask strength. The tingling is loose and lingers with the malt flavor.
When water is added, the fruity aroma becomes even stronger and the sweetness of the bourbon barrels peeks through. The alcohol and youthfulness of the beer are hidden.
The impression changes dramatically between straight and watered down, so you can enjoy it twice in one sitting.
This is the quality of the first release. I can strongly feel the Yuza distillery’s commitment to this product.
Long-term maturation, bottling with water, and a single cask, which they are planning to produce in the future. Expectations for the Yuza distillery are only growing in the future. I can’t take my eyes off the whisky that the Yuza distillery will continue to produce.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
