“Shirokaku”, which was sold from 1992 to the end of March 2019, is back in limited quantities. The “Shirokaku Highball Can” is also back in limited quantities.
The reason why Shirokaku was closed is speculation, but it was because Shirokaku mainly used the Hakushu distillery’s sake, and the Hakushu distillery was running out of sake, and it was about 5% of Suntory’s total whisky sales. Like Hakushu 12 Year Old (re-released on March 30, 2021), which was sold in June 2018, Shirokaku will be closed in March 2019 for the same reason of securing the original sake.
Get through this summer with dry and refreshing Shirokaku.
1. Where can I buy it?
Kakuyasu, which we will introduce next, started pre-order sales on July 11, but they are already sold out.
At present, Lohako is accepting reservations for a limited quantity for 3,224 yen, which is a combination of Kakubin and Shirokaku. If you can’t get it at Kakuyasu, don’t delay!
For more details, click here.
2. “Enjoy Kaku High Day with Kaku!” Campaign
Kakuyasu/KY Liquor and Suntory will hold a joint campaign titled “October 8 is Kaku Highball Day.” From July 1 to August 31, customers will be able to enter the campaign by purchasing a total of 1,200 yen or more including tax from Kakuyasu/KY Liquor and attaching the receipt or delivery slip to a special application form and filling out the required information.
50 winners will be selected by lottery to receive the following products.
Click here to visit the campaign website.
Prize A: 4L Kakubottle for 5 winners
Prize B: Kakujumbobottle (1,920ml) for 10 winners
Prize C: 700ml Kakubottle for 30 winners
Prize D: A case of 350ml Kaku Highball cans for 5 winners
Application deadline: September 7 (Wed.), postmarked by that day.
Announcement of winners: Winners will be announced upon shipment of products, which are likely to be shipped by October 7.
*Target prefectures: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama
3. Suntory Shirokaku
While maintaining the aroma structure of “Kakubin”, it has a light and refreshing taste derived from light-type grain base sake. “Shirokaku” is characterized by its dry, clean and sharp taste. The use of Hakushu Hogshead cask sake further refines the light flavor. It enhances the delicate flavors of food, making it an excellent match for Japanese cuisine.
Product name | Suntory Shirokaku |
|---|---|
| Sake type | Blended whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt, Grain |
| Cask type | Mainly Hakushu Hogshead casks |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Strength | 40% (with a minimum of 2.5% alcohol) |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 1,397 yen (tax included) |
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.
