Review of Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024 from Shizuoka Juzan Co., Ltd. Characteristics, prices, and how to purchase are explained.
1. Manufacturer
Juzan Co., Ltd.
| Head Office Address | 1301-1 Torimori, Tashiro, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 428-0505, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Ikawa Distillery |
2. 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.
With 24,430 hectares of company-owned forests in the Ikawa Mountain Forest, it is 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.
| April 2020 | Establishment of Juzan Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| November 2020 | Ikawa distillery established |
| October 2022 | First product NEW BORN Non-Peat 2022 is released |
Reference: Ikawa Distillery official website
Distillery in a secluded area at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level
Distillery in the SanctuaryIn November 2020, we opened the Ikawa Distillery at an altitude of 1,200 meters in the Ikawa Forest. We focused on the natural environment of the Southern Alps as a “maturing environment,” the “Kisatsu spring water,” which is a symbol of the rich forests, and the wood resources for the casks, which are essential for whisky making. In particular, we thought that spring water filtered through the unblemished forest soil of the Southern Alps would make the best brewing water. Furthermore, we would like to use Quercus crispula, which grows wild in this region, for the barrels in which the original sake is aged. Then, we will put the sake to sleep and mature in the foggy, cool, and humid environment of the Southern Alps. We realized that the Southern Alps is the perfect environment for whiskey making.
We bring you whisky filled with the blessings of nature here in the Southern Alps.Reference: Ikawa Distillery official HP
For more information about the distillery, please click here.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/sakurao_en/
3. Pictures of the bottles and the website where you can buy them
Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024
Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024
4. Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024 Characteristics
Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, the Ikawa Distillery is surrounded by nature in the Southern Alps, making use of natural spring water and the cool and humid climate. 3 years have passed since we started distilling in November 2020, and the sake we have been preparing for long-term aging is now growing. We would like to share a part of our whisky, which is the crystallization of nature, with you.
This time, Newborn is released from a sherry butt. It took some time for its character to become apparent due to the use of old cream sherry casks made in Spain, 500L large casks, and the cool environment of Ikawa. No water is added, no cooling is done, and filtration is kept to a minimum in order to bring out the best characteristics of the original sake. We have recreated the taste of the original sake from the barrel. The clean quality of the sake, which is the goal of the brewery, and the character of the sherry casks complement each other, and give us an idea of the future direction of the brewery.
How will it change with further aging? Please enjoy the special taste only available now.In addition to the bourbon barrels that form the backbone of the distillery, Ikawa Distillery also uses a variety of other casks. For example, we have several types of sherry casks and original casks made from our own wood. In the future, we intend to blend these original casks to create a single malt that is unique to Ikawa.
Reference: [Vol. 5] Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024 on Sale｜Juzan Corporation (juzan.co.jp )
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Freshness of plum and richness of raisins |
| Taste | Citrus and apple esters on the tongue, with a fruity, tea-like astringency that melds with the fruitiness of the wine over time, reminiscent of Russian tea. |
| Aftertaste | A long, quiet lingering finish with pineapple and cocoa. |
*Excerpt from the official comment
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 60% alcohol by volume |
| Distinction by alcohol | Single Malt Newborn |
| Cask type | Cream Sherry Butt #346 First Fill |
| Content Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested Retail Price | 4,800 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | May 2024 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. List price and online price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product Name | Ikawa Distillery NEW BORN Non-Peat Sherry Butt 2024 |
| Capacity | 200ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 4,800 yen (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari range from 11,000 yen to 14,000 yen. (*As of May 28, 2024)
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
There are currently no confirmed successful bids on Yahoo! Auctions. (*As of May 28, 2024)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Not confirmed at this time on any mail order sites. (*As of May 28, 2024)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45ml: 5,610 yen, 30ml: 3,740 yen, and 15ml: 1,870 yen.
7. Summary
Ikawa Distillery is currently attracting a lot of attention. This Newborn will be aged for 27 months and is expected to be released next year as a single malt Japanese whisky. 500L cream sherry casks will take quite a few years to mature, but we were able to experience a combination that matches the original Ikawa distiller’s sake in this product.
■Please check out our other articles about “Sakurao 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.
