Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao Islay Cask. Available at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo “Mandarin Bar” and “Oriental Lounge” from Friday, December 1. Characteristics, price, and details are explained.
“Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo” will begin offering 170 limited bottles of its original whisky “Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao” at the “Mandarin Bar” and “Oriental Lounge” on Friday, December 1, 2023. Bottles will be available to keep (90,000 yen per bottle, consumption tax included, service charge 15% not included) or by the glass (6,600 yen per glass, consumption tax included, service charge 15% not included).
In addition, five unique cocktails, including one made with “Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao” will be served at the Mandarin Bar for two days only on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2, 2023. For details, click here.
1. Characteristics of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO
Whisky is one of the spirits that has its own character, and can be expressed in various ways depending on how it is drunk. When selecting the original whisky for Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, we were looking for a unique cask that would leave a lasting impression on our guests and make them want to drink it again. In the process, we came across a single malt whisky matured in an Islay cask that was used on the island of Islay in Scotland, the sacred land of Scotch whisky, in the “SAKURAO DISTILLERY” storage facility. “Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao” is a unique whisky with a smoky and woody flavor, created by using only domestically produced barley and being matured in an Islay cask. The temperature difference between the warm breezes from the sea and the cool breezes from the mountains that reach “SAKURAO DISTILLERY”, located on the Seto Inland Sea, enhances the smokiness characteristic of Islay cask, and the sweet and gorgeous aroma of the matured product can also be enjoyed. The sweet tones that emerge along with the smokiness and the gorgeous aftertaste of this amber-colored dram will captivate whisky connoisseurs.
Aroma: Smoky flavors like beach-roasted oysters waft in with the sea breeze, followed by the savory notes of hazelnuts and malt cookie. Malty and smoky interweave to build a deep aroma.
Mouth: Elegant flavors of bitter chocolate and raisin butter blend perfectly with the subtle sweetness of slow-baked cinnamon-scented apple pie and baked marshmallow to create a multi-layered sweetness and richness in a toasty finish.
Lingering: Sweet tones of strawberry tart and Earl Grey tea that emerge with pleasant smoky and woody nuances appear and disappear gently. A gorgeous lingering finish marks the end of the tasting.
| Product Name | Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO |
| Sake by | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | Islay cask |
| Limited number of bottles | 170 bottles |
| Number of bottles | 59% |
| Price | 6,600 yen per glass (tax included), 90,000 yen per bottle (bottle kept) (tax included) |
| Place of production | Sakurao Distillery |
| Producer | Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
2. About Sakurao Distillery
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. in Hiroshima Prefecture is a long-established brewery established in 1918.
In fact, it has a deep history in whisky making, having produced and sold malt whisky from 1938 to 1989. At that time, the distilled spirit was stored in a warehouse in Togouchi that utilized a JR West Japan railroad exploratory tunnel.
In 2008, the company began selling “Togouchi Whisky“, a blend of the original whisky stored in the Togouchi storage facility and imported original whisky. (90% of the product is exported to Europe.)
In December 2017, as a 100th anniversary project, new equipment was installed to produce high quality single malt whisky and a craft distillery “SAKURAO DISTILLERY” from Hiroshima was built. distillation started in January 2018.
December 2017 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY construction completed. |
| October 2018 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTER opens. |
| 2019 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY second phase construction (introduction of grain whisky distillation equipment and new whisky storage facility) |
| March 2021 | Company name changed to SAKURAO BREWERY AND DISTILLERY Co. |
- SAKURAO DISTILLERY｜Craft distillery presented by Hiroshima to the world
- SAKURAO DISTILLERY｜Craft distillery presented by Hiroshima to the world
3. Sakurao Distillery’s lineup of past releases
3-1. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION
3-2. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao
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.
