[cm_tooltip_parse][/cm_tooltip_parse]Information on the release of “Hinomaru Whisky Sakura Cask” & “Hinomaru Port Cask Finish” (limited quantity) has been released on the official website of Kiuchi Shuzo Co.
“Sakura Cask” is a valuable single malt whisky matured for 6 years in a special cherry barrel made of cherry wood for the head (mirror plate), which was created in 2016 (the first year of Nukata Distillery’s operation).
“Port Cask Finish” is a single malt whisky made in 2016 (the first year of Nukata distillery’s operation), matured for 4 years in sherry casks, and then finished in port wine casks for 1 year.
You can already apply for the lottery on the official Kiuchi Brewery website.
The deadline for lottery applications is October 18, 2011 at 23:59.
1. About web lottery applications
The number of whiskies to be sold in the Web Lottery is 100 of each whisky.
■Web Lottery Application Form
(1) Click here for the application form for Hinomaru Whisky “Sakura Cask” by web lottery.
(2)Click here for the application form for Hinomaru Whisky “Port Cask Finish” by Web lottery.
Application period: until October 18, 23:59
Announcement of winners: Winners will receive an email notification and purchase procedure to the email address entered in the application form in late October or later.
Product shipment: Scheduled for early November or later
2. Hinomaru Whisky Sakura Cask
This single cask Japanese whisky is distilled in 2016 at the column still Nukata distillery using non-peat malt, packed in Japanese cherry casks and aged in the nature at the eastern foot of Mt. Tsukuba. Enjoy its reddish amber glow and deep, gorgeous aftertaste.
Reference: Hinomaru Whisky Sakura Cask｜Kiuchi Shuzo Co.
| Product name | Hinomaru Whisky Sakura Cask |
|---|---|
| Sake classification | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask type | Cherry Cask |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity (100 bottles sold by lottery on the web) |
| Degree of alcohol | 48% (100 bottles sold by lottery on the web) |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 33,000 yen (tax included) |
| Place of production | Nukata Distillery |
| Producer | Kiuchi Shuzo Co. |
3. Hinomaru Whisky Port Cask Finish
This single malt Japanese whisky is distilled in 2016 at the column still Nukata distillery and aged for four years in sherry casks, then aged and finished for one year in port wine casks. Enjoy the complex and deep aroma of maturity created by the two types of barrels.
Reference: Hinomaru Whisky Port Cask Finish｜Kiuchi Brewery Co.
| Product Name | Hinomaru Whisky Port Cask Finish |
|---|---|
| Sake category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask type | Sherry casks, port wine casks |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity (100 bottles for web lottery sale) |
| Degree of alcohol | 48% (100 bottles for web lottery sale) |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 33,000 yen (tax included) |
| Place of production | Nukata Distillery |
| Producer | Kiuchi Shuzo Co. |
4. About Nukata Distillery
The Nukata Distillery is owned by Kiuchi Brewery, which is famous for its craft beer “Hitachino Nest Beer” with the owl logo. The Nukata Distillery is the production base for Hitachino Nest Beer. Beer production began in 1996, and in 2003, a distilling facility was installed to promote recycling and reduce waste, initially producing shochu distilled from sake lees.
Kiuchi, who had visited Scotland many times before, decided to start making whisky from barley, which was not suited for beer making. He converted the second floor of the Nukata brewery’s packaging warehouse into a small distillery and began whisky production in February 2016.
At that time, the capacity of the pot still was 1,000 liters and a hybrid still with a column still was used for distillation.
5. Hinomaru Whisky Lineup
5-1 Hinomaru Whisky The 1st Edition
“Hinomaru Whisky” is a new attempt by Kiuchi Sake Brewery, which is celebrating 200 years of sake brewing. Several types of sake distilled at the column still Nukata distillery and pot still Yasato distillery, using barley, wheat and rice produced in Ibaraki Prefecture, were matured in the nature at the eastern foot of Mt. Tsukuba. The 1st Edition The very first drop is yours to enjoy.
5-2 Hinomaru Whisky Blended Newborn 2022
“Hinomaru Whisky” is a new attempt by Kiuchi Brewery, which is celebrating 200 years of sake brewing. Malt whisky distilled at the column still Nukata distillery and pot still Yasato distillery, and grain whisky partially made from wheat produced in Ibaraki Prefecture, were matured in the nature at the eastern foot of Mt. Tsukuba. Winner of the Gold Medal at the “Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2022,” and Category Winner of the Japanese New Makeup category.
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.
