(formerly known as Chugoku Brewery Co., Ltd.), famous for its SAKURAO GIN, has announced on its official website that the stillman has selected SAKURAO DISTILLERY’s best sherry casks to produce this single malt Japanese whisky. The information on the simultaneous release (in limited quantities) of three types of single malt Japanese whisky, “Sakurao SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION” and two standard types of single malt Japanese whisky , “Sakurao” and “Togouchi” ,
has been released on the official website of “Sakurao B&D” (formerly known as Chugoku Brewery Co., Ltd.). The information was released.
Release date is. June 6, 2022.
After four and a half years since the establishment of SAKURAO DISTILLERY, three types of single malt Japanese whisky are released simultaneously for the first time in about a year. Last year’s 1st release “SAKURAO” and “TOGAUCHI” featured cask strength, but this time “SAKURAO” and “TOGAUCHI” are both 43% alcohol by volume, so they are water-adjusted whiskies and priced at 6,600 yen, which seems cheap compared to recent Japanese whiskies.
Sakurao SHERRY CASK” is also 50% alcohol by volume, so it is probably not a cask strength whisky. It is priced at 13,530 yen.
1. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao SHERRY CASK
Stillman’s choice for SAKURAO DISTILLERY’s best SHERRY CASK.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY, blessed with the nature of the sea and mountains, has different storage facilities in different environments, which allows for the creation of different approaches to sake. The stillman who has tasted many different types of sake has selected the SHERRY CASK in the best condition and blended it. The aroma of raisins and cocoa is the essence of the gentle sea breeze of the Seto Inland Sea. Fruity flavors reminiscent of dark cherries and oranges are harmonized with a subtle peat aroma. Enjoy the deep lingering taste of bitter sweetness and woody aroma.
Reference: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI｜SAKURAO DISTILLERY
Image Exhibit: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI
| Product Name | SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO SHERRY CASK STILLMAN’S SELECTION |
|---|---|
| By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | Two types of cream sherry casks |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Degree of | 50% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 13,530 yen (tax included) |
| Manufacturing plant | Sakurao Distillery |
| Produced by | Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
2. Single malt japanese whisky sakurao
A taste refined by the sea and winds of the Seto Inland Sea.
Located in Hatsukaichi City, with the Seto Inland Sea to the south and the Chugoku Mountains to the north, the distillery’s Sakurao Distillery receives warm breezes from the sea and cool breezes from the mountains, creating a large temperature difference throughout the year. This difference in temperature speeds up the maturation of the whisky. Also, because the cellar is located on the ocean side, the barrels have a subtle aroma of the Seto Inland Sea. The aroma of raisins, oranges, and peaches spreads, with vanilla-like sweetness, moderate astringency, and acidity. Enjoy the pleasant smokiness, oak aroma, and long-lasting rich sweet aroma.
Reference: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI｜SAKURAO DISTILLERY
Image Exhibit: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGOUCHI
| Product Name | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao |
|---|---|
| By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | Casks |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Degrees of alcohol content | 43% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 6,600 yen (tax included) |
| Manufacturing plant | Sakurao Distillery |
| Produced by | Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
3. Single malt japanese whisky togouchi
A flavor that deepens over time in the mountains of Hiroshima.
Togouchi, Aki-Ota Town, is a place of outstanding color and scenic beauty, with rich forests and clear streams, including Mt. Orahantzan and Mt. Tucked away in such a mountainous area, the Togawachi storage facility makes use of a tunnel that was once used for railroad purposes. In the dark storage cellar, where the temperature remains cool throughout the four seasons, malt distilled at SAKURAO DISTILLERY quietly matures in barrels that have absorbed the fragrance of fresh greenery. The aroma of vanilla, apple, marmalade, and melon, and the light and smooth mouthfeel are appealing. Enjoy the clean sweetness and crisp aftertaste.
Reference: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI｜SAKURAO DISTILLERY
Image Exhibit: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY Sakurao & Togouchi
| Product Name | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Togouchi |
|---|---|
| By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | – |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Volume | 43% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 6,600 yen (tax included) |
| Manufacturing plant | Sakurao Distillery |
| Produced by | Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
4. About SAKURAO DISTILLERY
Established in 1918 in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, as Chugoku Shuzo Brewery Limited Partnership, the distillery was renamed Chugoku Brewing Company in 1938.
Whiskey production and sales of malt whisky were conducted from 1938 to 1989. At that time, the distilled whisky was stored in a warehouse in Togowachi that utilized a JR West Japan railroad exploratory tunnel.
In 2008, the company began selling Togowachi whisky.
In December 2017, a distillery, SAKURAO DISTILLERY, was built to produce high quality single malt whisky; distillation began in January 2018.
Image Exhibit: SAKURAO DISTILLERY｜Hiroshima’s craft distillery for the world[ /caption]
| December 2017 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY completed construction |
|---|---|
| October 2018 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTER opens |
| 2019 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY second phase construction (grain whisky distilling equipment installed, new whisky storage facility built) |
| 2021 | Company name changed to Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
5. Other products from SAKURAO DISTILLERY
5-1 Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao 1st Release
Woody and smoky aroma with the gentle scent of the Seto Inland Sea
It is bottled at cask strength after 3 years of aging in the aging room on the premises of SAKURAO DISTILLERY.
The aging casks have a subtle aroma of the Seto Inland Sea. It has a long-lasting woody aroma and a firm peppery flavor. It has a deep flavor with a rich sweetness.
5-2 Single Malt Japanese whisky Togouchi 1st Release
Refreshingly fresh sake matured in a tunnel in a cool environment deep in the mountains.
The most distinctive feature of Togowachi is its aging warehouse. A tunnel that was once used for a railroad in Togowachi, Aki-Ota Town, is used as a ripening room. The tunnel is approximately 800 meters long, and cool breezes pass through it all year round, keeping the temperature and humidity constant throughout the year. The dimly-lit aging house is also considered the best place to mature whisky, and was used before the distillery was newly established. The malt distilled at SAKURAO DISTILLERY quietly matures in the barrels, which absorb the fragrance of fresh greenery, and is bottled at cask strength after three years of aging.
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.
