KOGETSU Single Malt Japanese Whisky and HIMEUSAGI Blended Whisky. The original whiskys, a collaboration between Eigashima Shuzo and the Osake no Museum, will be released on September 4. Features, prices, and details are explained.
The second private bottle of the BAR “Osake no MUSEUM,” which has 63 outlets nationwide, will start offering and selling “Single Malt Japanese Whisky KOGETSU” and“Blended Whisky HIMEUSAGI” on September 4, 2023, in collaboration with Eigashima Sake Brewery. Offered only at BAR “Osake no Museums” nationwide.
The blender is “Kuririn,” the manager of the whiskey blog “Kuririn’s Whiskey Depot” and a whiskey enthusiast, who selects and blends the original whisky.
1. how to purchase
It does not appear to be sold by the bottle.
Single Malt Japanese Whisky KOGETSU and Blended Whisky HIMEUSAGI are only available at the Bar “Osake no Museum”.
Click here for a list of Bar “Osake no MUSEUM” stores.
2. Single Malt Japanese Whiskey “KOGETSU” Characteristics
Original Whisky “KOGETSU” Product Description
Product name “Single Malt Japanese Whisky KOGETSU
Capacity 500ml
Ingredients Malt
Alcohol content 62
Number of bottlings 730 bottles
Served only at the Bar “Osake no MuseumThis single malt Japanese whisky is produced at a long-established distillery in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. The malt whisky was stored in Oloroso sherry casks for five years and bottled at cask strength so that you can taste the distillery’s unique character.
Tasting Notes.
Aroma: Chocolate with raisins with a hint of sea breeze. Cassis, dried prunes, mint.
Taste: Soft acidity and sweetness. Good tannic astringency from the sherry casks. The finish is pleasantly light sweet and sour with a good richness.
| Product name | Single Malt Japanese Whisky KOGETSU |
| Sake category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask type | Oloroso sherry casks |
| Number of bottles | 730 bottles |
| Number of bottles | 62% (with a slight alcohol content) |
| Price | No bottles sold, only available at the “Osake no Museum” bar |
| Place of production | Eigashima Distillery |
| Producer | Eigashima Sake Brewery Co. |
3.Characteristics of blended whisky HIMEUSAGI
Original Whiskey “HIMEUSAGI” Product Description
Product name “Blended Whisky HIMEUSAGI
Capacity 500ml
Ingredients Malt ＆ Grain
Alcohol content 50
Number of bottles bottled: 531
Served only at the Bar “Osake no MuseumSingle malt Japanese whisky KOGETSU is the key malt, blended with carefully selected Scottish malt and grain whiskeys.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Fresh fruits, grapefruit, green apple, blue banana, mint, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate.
Taste: Fresh but mellow mouthfeel, soft acidity and firm sweetness, honey, chocolate. The gentle sweetness fades away refreshingly.
| Product name | Blended Whisky HIMEUSAGI |
| Sake type | Blended Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt, Grain |
| Casks | Oloroso sherry casks and others |
| Number of bottles | 531 bottles |
| Number of bottles | 50% (50%) |
| Price | No bottles sold, available only at the “Osake no Museum” BAR) |
| Place of production | Eigashima Distillery |
| Producer | Eigashima Sake Brewery Co. |
4. about the Osake no Museum
Operated by NBG Corporation, headquartered in Kyoto. The company has 63 BAR Osake-no-Museum stores nationwide, although most of its stores are located in the Kansai region, mainly in Kyoto. The company is opening 20 new stores in 2022 and 19 new stores in 2023 as of September 2023, and is opening new stores at a brisk pace.
The company has a strong selection of rare whiskeys and brandies, especially old bottles. The prices offered are also relatively reasonable, and there is no charge, which is often the case. Some stores are very conscientious, allowing customers to bring their own drinks.
Click here for the official website of Osake-no-Museum
About Eigashima Distillery
1891: Shochu cellar “Niban-kura” completed * Later used as whiskey cellar
1919 Whisky license obtained and distillery established
The local whisky “White Oak” is released in the same year.
1984 New distillery completed
2007 First single malt whisky Akashi “<a href=”https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0094PHDIO/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8
2019 Name changed from White Oak Distillery to Eigashima Distillery
Newly install two pot stills made by Miyake Seisakusho
2020 Release the high-priced “Eigashima” brand
Citation：江井ヶ嶋蒸溜所公式HP
４．Eigashima Distillery’s lineup of past releases
４－１．Akashi Double Blenders Malt Harmony
４－２．INAZUMA World Blended Whisky Extra Selected Edition No.3
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.
