Single malt is now on sale from Kuju Distillery in Oita Prefecture. It expresses the image that can be felt from the changing seasons and its items under the theme of “Kuju’s Sora”.
This product is the first in the “sora” series from Kuju Distillery. It is expected to be released once a year from now on.
1. product name and photo
Single Malt Kuju sora 2025
Single Malt KUJU Sora 2025 
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2. Characteristics of Single Malt KUJU Sora 2025
The first single malt from Kuju Distillery, “sora 2025”, will be released once a year.
The first item, “sora 2025,” will be released once a year,The first release, “sora 2025,” will be “at the end of summer, when the sun is just beginning to set and the first hints of autumn are in the air”.According to blender Takeishi, it is “a somewhat dry orange”.The first one had more “green” and “yellow” elements, but this blend reminds me of “orange” with its more colored fruit and the earthy, sun-drenched aroma in the peated base. The blend is said to be “orange” in color.This single malt is a careful blend of several matured wines, including peated wines. The fruity aroma of colored fruits, which is well developed up front, and the peat aroma, which comes out later in the blend, give it a sense of expansion. It is a single malt that has a complex and thick character, but also has a more multi-layered fruity character.
Reference: Kuju Distillery official Facebook
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Fragrance | Apricot, apple juice, smoked nuts, white pepper |
| Taste | orange peel, tortoiseshell candy, white powder, dried basil |
| After taste | Aromatic sweetness and bitter fruity citrus peel linger for a long time. |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
| Alcohol type | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt, including peated |
| Content Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unknown |
| MSRP | 12,800 yen |
| Release date | November 26, 2025 |
3. Awards
No awards received at this time.
4. List Price and Online Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Single Malt Kuju The First |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 12,800 yen (including tax) |
4-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is currently 13,000 yen to 14,500 yen. (*As of 12/16/2025)
4-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
On Yahoo! A uction, the item was listed at 13,000 yen. (*As of 12/16/2025)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
The listing on a mail order site was about 15,000 yen. (*As of 2025/12/16)
4-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45ml: 3,630 yen, 30ml: 2,420 yen, and 15ml: 1,210 yen.
5. About Kuju Distillery
Kuju Distillery
| Distillery name | Kuju Distillery |
| Location | Oita 878-0201 6426, Kuju Oaza, Kuju-machi, Taketa-shi, Oita |
| Start of operation | February 2021 |
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Kyushu is located in Oita Prefecture. It is located at an elevation of approximately 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the cool climate and magnificent nature of the Kuju Highlands. Blessed with clean air and abundant spring water, the distillery was built in the belief that this is the perfect place to make whisky.
Kuju Kogen is located in the Aso-Kuju National Park. The unique grassland is maintained by field burning and can be said to be under a special environment. The water used is spring water from an abundant underground source.
The president, Mr. Udota, received training at the Chichibu distillery, and the production manager, Mr. Takeishi, also received training at the Tsunuki distillery.
The distiller is a Scottish Forsyth company, and although malt is mainly imported, 10% of the barley used is grown in the prefecture.
Five Douglas fir wooden tanks are used for fermentation. Fermentation time is 5 days.
For more information about Kuju Distillery, please visit
6. Summary
Unlike the first, it has a deep, long, lingering taste of slightly powdery peat, like an old Islay. Although the age of maturity is short, it has a firm fruity and coarse peatiness, and we felt that even long-time whisky drinkers would like the taste.
This series is released once a year, and we look forward to seeing how it will be made in the future.
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.
