“United S First Edition” was released in December 2022. While this “S” series will be released as a standard item in the future, the “Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shizuoka United S 2023 Summer“ was released this time.
The product to be released from Shizuoka Distillery will now be available in 500ml bottles. The back label will read “2023 Summer” and the name will be changed according to the release date in the future.
The main ingredients are Scottish non-peat malt, peated malt and beer malt. Barley from Japan is also used. Various barrels are used for aging, mainly first fill bourbon barrels.
A lottery will be held for WHISKY PORT members and mail magazine members.
1. Lottery application
For the lottery at WHISKY PORT, lottery application information will be sent only to WHISKY PORT members and e-mail magazine members who have registered by August 15. Please remember to register for the mail magazine in advance.
Click here to register as a member.
The mail magazine for lottery applications will be sent out after August 21.
2. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shizuoka United S Summer 2023
This is the latest in the “S series” of single malts, a blend of two of Shizuoka Distillery’s signature types of original whisky, K and W.
The distillate “W” is distilled over a powerful open fire that burns wood utilizing thinned timber from the Occasions and reaches temperatures as high as 800℃.
The combination of a still made by Forsyth in Scotland and a wood-fired direct-fire oven that utilizes the know-how of a domestic pizza oven manufacturer is unique in the world.
The result is a distillate with a burnt, savory taste, power, and rich body.
The “K” distillation machine, relocated from a venerable distillery, is a pot still made in Japan. Steam-heated and requiring delicate adjustments, this distiller produces carefully polished, gorgeous, light, fruity aromatics through a long, thin neck.
Two first distillers with completely different characteristics. This is what gives Shizuoka Distillery’s whisky its unique character.
| Product name | Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shizuoka United S 2023 Summer |
|---|---|
| Sake category | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt (Scottish non-peated and peated malt, Japanese malt) |
| Casks | Bourbon casks, etc. |
| Number of bottles sold | 10,000 bottles |
| Number of bottles | 50.5% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 7,821 yen (tax included) |
| Manufactured at | Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery |
| Producer | GAIAFLOW Co. Ltd. |
3. Distiller “S”
Another pot still at the Shizuoka Distillery is the redistiller “S”. The first distillate produced by the first distillers “W” and “K” are both distilled a second time in this “S”.
The “S” redistiller is made by Forsyth in Scotland. For heating, a state-of-the-art plate heater system is used.
It has a bulge shape between the body and neck, known as a bulge shape. This is to circulate the volatile alcohol content during distillation, creating a smooth flavor with less cloying taste.
4. Other single malts from Shizuoka Distillery
4-1. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shizuoka United S First Edition
The “S” in the product name not only indicates that it is the successor to Contact S, which was released in November 2021, but also stands for “Shizuoka,” “Spirits,” “Single Malt,” and “Sphere”. The “United” signifies a further evolution, a harmonization and fusion of the two original wines encountered in “Contact”.
4-2. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shizuoka Contact S
This is the third single malt whisky Shizuoka. Shizuoka Distillery uses two first distillers, K (a distiller transferred from Karuizawa Distillery) and W (a wood-fired direct distiller), to produce two different types of original whiskies with different characteristics. “Contact S” is the first single malt that blends both of these original spirits.
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.
