Review of a single malt finally released from a secluded distillery in Shizuoka Prefecture [Ikawa Distillery]! Taste and characteristics.
Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, the Ikawa Distillery is the highest distillery in Japan and can be said to be the most difficult distillery to reach by transportation. This single malt from the whiskey is matured in such a cool and humid environment deep in the mountains and forests. How does it taste?
1. photos of the bottles and the website where you can buy them
Single Malt Dessin Series Flora 2024
Single Malt Dessin Series Flora 2024 
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2. single malt drawing series Flora 2024
Southern Alps in Whisky
We make our whiskey at the headwaters of the OIkawa River in the Southern Alps, surrounded by 3,000-meter-high mountains and rich in nature, a place we have protected for over a century and have been brewing since 2020, utilizing the blessings of the Southern Alps and our experience in the paper industry. And now, based on the belief and passion we have cultivated while facing the great nature of the Southern Alps, we are pleased to introduce a whiskey that only we can make, Ikawa Distillery’s first single malt whiskey.Dessin Series Flora 2024
This commemorative first release is made exclusively from non-pit bourbon barrelaged whiskey, the key malt of the Ikawa Distillery, and has the clean taste, sweetness, and gorgeousness that we cherish. These include the original whiskey that was prepared in the early days of the distillery.
As the name “Flora 2024” suggests, the label uses plants living in the Southern Alps where the distillery is located as a motif, expressing the delicate beauty of alpine plants such as species that have survived since the glacial era and the strength to survive the rugged environment as a taste. Please enjoy the profound aftertaste of aroma and bitterness that follows after the sweetness that is typical of Ikawa Distillery.Reference: Ikawa Distillery official website
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Fragrance | Geranium, fresh apple and white peach, citrus syrup, honey |
| Taste | Tripe sugar, honeyed apples, kiwi-like acidity |
| Aftertaste | After the sweet and sour aroma is gone, a gorgeous aroma with spices remains. |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 53% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
| Barrel type | Bourbon Barrel |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 6,000 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | Mid-November 2024 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
4. list price and online price
4-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Single Malt Dessin Series Flora 2024 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
4-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercarirange from22,500yen to 25,000 yen. (*As of 11/19/2024)
4-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
Sold bids on Yahoo! Auctions have not been confirmed at this time. The auction was confirmedat around 20,000 yen. (*As of 11/19/2024)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We could not confirm at present on Rakuten and other mail order sites. (*As of 11/19/2024)
4-5.Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45ml: 4,620 yen, 30ml: 3,080 yen, and 15ml: 1,540 yen.
5. manufacturer
Juzan Corporation
| Head Office Address | 1301-1 Torimori, Tashiro, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 428-0505, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Ikawa distillery |
6. distillery information
IKAWA DISTILLERY
| Address | 1299-1, Oshunoki, Tashiro, Aoi-ku, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture 428-0505, Japan |
| Start of operation | January, 2018 |
In April 2020, Juzan Corporation was established by the Southern Alps Division, which was the company-owned forest management division of Tokushu Tokai Paper Co.
Ltd. was spun off and created for the purpose of independent management of company-owned forests.
The company-owned forests cover 24,430 hectares in the Ikawa Mountain Forest, the largest single forest area in Japan. Preservation of the environment of the Mimami Alps and maintenance of mountain trails for visitors to the area.
Currently, the company has started a whiskey manufacturing business that takes advantage of the unique environment and natural spring water of the Ikawa Mountain Forest.
- The distillery is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters and uses “Tokusa spring water,” which is the highest in Japan and a symbol of the rich forests.
- Mizunara oak, which grows in the mountain forests of Ikawa, is used for the barrels, which are indispensable for making whiskey. The company also collects acorns from the oak trees that have been cut down and plants trees for the future.
- The natural environment of the Southern Alps is foggy, cool, and humid, and the distillery is located at a higher altitude than the distillery. The distillery has built a maturing hut at a higher altitude than the distillery, and is maturing the casks under the name of “Mountain Cask”.
The future release will be a series of products in the “Dessin Series. There are two types, Flora (flora) and Fauna (fauna), and they will be released in non peated and peated versions, respectively.
Image credit: Ikawa Distillery Official X
citation: official HP of Ikawa Distillery
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.
