The third phase of the “Maoi Distillery Private Casks: 3 Casks”. Registration starts at noon on October 8 at Maoi Distillery’s official online store. Purchase period, price, and details are explained.
In this third phase, applications for ownership of a total of 25 casks of three types, two whiskey casks and one brandy cask, began at noon on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
The “Umaoi Distillery Private Casks” project is designed to deliver original bottles that are bottled after three years of aging and storage at the distillery. For the third phase of the project, owners will be able to choose from a total of three types (limited to a total of 25 casks), including not only whisky made from 100% Hokkaido malt, as originally planned, but also brandy for the first time. This time, multiple units can also be purchased.
The official online store “AZE United Shopping Site” will be the point of contact for sales, and various payment methods such as credit cards will be accepted. The offer will close when the maximum number of applications is reached.
１．Product Details and Amounts
１-１．Maoi Distillery Private Cask Whisky (100% Hokkaido malt, 40L EX sherry casks)
The most eye-catching product of this year’s event is definitely the 40L aged in sherry casks using 100% Hokkaido malt (non-pitted). Only 5 casks will be available in limited quantities. Price 962,500 yen (tax included)
１-２．Maoi Distillery Private Cask Whisky (40 liters in EX sherry casks)
This is 40L aged in sherry casks using 80% English malt and 20% domestic malt. This is also a non-piped type and will be sold in a limited edition of 10 casks. Price: 550,000 yen (tax included)
- Whisky Ingredients: Non-peated malt (80% made in England, 20% made in Japan)
- Volume of original liquor: 40 liters
- Alcohol content: 63%.
- Casks: EX sherry
- Distillation Period: October 2023
- Cask filling time: October 2023
- Bottling date: October 2026 (3 years aging)
- Estimated bottling quantity: Approximately 56 700ml bottles.
(Subject to change, adjusted to 45% alcohol by volume).- Estimated Angels’ Share: 12%/year
Estimated Angels’ Share: 12%/year * Please refer to “About Angels’ Share” for more details.Product Summary
- Purchase price of this product: 550,000 yen (including tax)
The purchase price of 550,000 yen (including tax) includes ownership of the cask (the whisky and the wooden cask itself), a transfer certificate, and storage and maintenance services at the cask aging facility.- The casks will be kept for up to 3 years before being bottled and delivered.
- Bottling fees will be charged separately (please refer to “Bottling” for details).
- Upon confirmation of purchase, a “Certificate of Transfer” will be issued and mailed to you, and ownership of the cask will be transferred to you (the owner).
- During the aging period, the owner’s cask will be kept at the Maoi distillery or a nearby cask aging facility and will be properly cared for by our staff. During this period, the owner can taste the casks when he or she visits the distillery.
- Due to the risk of leakage during shipping, we do not currently offer delivery service of casks with their contents in the casks. If you wish to have the barrels delivered, please arrange for a delivery company or pick them up directly by the owner at your own risk.
１-３．Maoi Distillery Private Cask Brandy (95L EX bourbon casks)
This is a brandy, aged in bourbon barrels 95L. limited to 10 barrels.
Price: 1,100,000 yen (tax included)
- Brandy Ingredient: Chardonnay wine (made in Japan)
- Volume of raw liquor: 95 liters
- Alcohol percentage: 63
- Casks: EX Bourbon
- Distillation Period: July 2023
- Barreling Period: September 2023
- Bottling date: October 2026 or later (3 years aging)
- Estimated bottling quantity: Approximately 159 700ml bottles
(Subject to change, adjusted to 45% alcohol by volume).- Estimated Angels’ Share: 6%/year
Estimated Angels’ Share: 6%/year * Please refer to “About Angels’ Share” for more details.Product Summary
- Purchase price of this product: 1,100,000 yen (including tax)
- The purchase price of 1,100,000 yen (including tax) includes ownership of the cask (the brandy and the wooden cask itself), a certificate of transfer, and storage and maintenance services in the cask aging room.
- The casks will be kept for up to 3 years before being bottled and delivered to you.
Bottling fees will be charged separately (please refer to “Bottling” for details).
Upon confirmation of purchase, a “Certificate of Transfer” will be issued and mailed to you, and ownership of the cask will be transferred to the purchaser (owner).- During the aging period, the owner’s cask will be kept at the Maoi distillery or a nearby cask aging facility and will be properly cared for by our staff. During this period, the owner can taste the casks when he or she visits the distillery.
- Due to the risk of leakage during shipping, we do not currently offer delivery service of casks with their contents in the casks. If you wish to have the barrels delivered, please arrange for a delivery company or pick them up directly by the owner at your own risk.
It appears that it is possible to deliver in kegs without bottling, at your own risk (risk of leakage, delivery company arrangements, etc.).
２．From Barreling to Bottling
The following is a step-by-step explanation of the actual process of applying to become a cask owner, and how the purchased sake will be delivered to you.
２-１cask-packing
The casking period is October 2023.
It is not possible to be present at the time of casking or to specify the casks to be used for aging.
２-２Angels Share
・EX sherry casks 40L (whiskey) is assumed to be 12% per year.
・EX bourbon casks 95L (brandy) is assumed to be 6% per year.
The volume of liquid that is naturally reduced by evaporation into the air from the whisky in wooden casks during maturation is called the “angel’s share”.
The amount of evaporation varies greatly depending not only on the temperature and humidity in the maturing cellar, but also on the natural conditions in the country or region where the cask is located.
The smaller the barrel size, the larger the angel’s share, and the faster the aging process.Please toggle the product image for a reference table of theoretical values for angel’s share.
We are responsible for the management of the casks we receive, but we cannot guarantee the quantities shown in the table, as evaporation varies greatly depending on geography, weather, and other natural conditions.
As a reference value, Maoi Distillery estimates that 40L casks have an annual angel’s share of 12%, but there is a possibility that this figure may be lower than expected due to uncertain factors. We ask for your understanding that we cannot accept any claims regarding the decrease due to evaporation.
２-３Bottling time (3 years of aging)
Bottling date: October 2026, three years after cask filling.
Estimated bottling quantity: 40 liters in sherry casks will yield approximately 54 700ml bottles. Estimated bottling volume: approximately 54 700ml bottles of 40L sherry casks, and approximately 159 700ml bottles of 95L bourbon casks.
(Subject to change, adjusted for addition of water to 45% alcohol by volume)
Assumed Angel’s Share: 12%/year for 40L sherry casks, 6%/year for 95L bourbon casks. Assumed angels’ share: 12%/year for 40L sherry casks, 6%/year for 95L bourbon casks.
The cost of producing and printing original labels using a template is included in the price (some restrictions apply due to the template). The owner’s name, organization name, photo, logo, etc. can be included. The label must include the words “Maoi Distillery” and the logo, in addition to the various labeling requirements by law.
Original labels that do not use the template are available upon separate consultation. In this case, the label must be labeled according to laws and regulations.
Whisky that has already been bottled will be shipped free of charge to one address of your choice (within Japan only).
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.
