Information on the release of “Single Malt Yoichi Grande and Single Malt Miyagikyo Grande” has been released on the official website of Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
The release date is April 12, 2022. Limited quantities.List price: 10,000 yen (excluding tax). Product for duty free stores at airports.
The bottle further accentuates the individuality of the Yoichi and Miyagikyo brands. The bottle is a bit “peaty” for Yoichi and “elegant” for Miyagikyo.
Both bottles use the “non-chill filtered” method, which preserves a richer flavor profile. The filtration process is carried out at room temperature without cooling, resulting in a richer aroma and more complex flavor.
The “Grande” in the product name is intended to make the product features easier to understand for both Japanese and foreign consumers.
The bottle is for duty-free stores at airports, so it may be difficult to obtain for the general public, but if you are planning to go abroad, please check it out.
1. Single Malt Yoichi Grande
This product brings out the unique characteristics of the heavy peat malt and new oak-aged malt that support the strong, thick flavor of “Single Malt Yoichi”. It is characterized by a rich, mature aroma, mild sweetness, mellow fruity harmony, soft, smoky aroma, malt aroma and bittersweet peat, thick richness, subtle oak sweetness, and a woody, full finish.
Reference: News Release｜Asahi Beer
| Product Name | Single Malt Yoichi Grande |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage | Single malt whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | – |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Number of units | 47% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 10,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Manufactured at | Yoichi Distillery |
| Manufacturer | Nikka Whisky Company, Ltd. |
2. Single malt Miyagikyo Grande
This product brings out the unique characteristics of the sherry cask malt and new cask-aged malt that support the elegant and gorgeous flavor of “Single Malt Miyagikyo” . It features a rich, sweet aroma with a hint of dried fruit derived from sherry casks, a fruity and mellow flavor reminiscent of pears, a cacao-like aroma, and a long-lasting bitter aftertaste.
Reference: News Release｜Asahi Beer
| Product Name | Single Malt Miyagikyo Grande |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage | Single malt whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | – |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Number of units | 48% |
| Price |
Suggested retail price: 10,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Manufactured at | Miyagikyo Distillery |
| Manufacturer | Nikka Whisky Company, Ltd. |
3. About Yoichi Distillery
Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido is known as the “Scotland of Japan. Its predecessor, Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd. was established in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru a.k.a. Massin. Masataka Taketsuru was a great admirer of the Scottish Cool and humid climate, abundant water sources and dignified clean air Yoichi is located at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula, west of Otaru, and was selected from a variety of possible sites. Masataka Taketsuru’s goal for his first distillery was to create a heavy and powerful malt whisky. He was determined to reproduce the whisky-making methods he had learned at distilleries in Scotland without making any compromises. The symbol of this commitment is the “Brewer’s Whisky. Straight head pot still and direct coal-fired distillation. This produces a heavy, aromatic, heavy peat base, resulting in a unique single malt with a peaty, salty aroma. This distillation method is based on the Longmorn distillery, where Taketsuru himself studied. If it is necessary to produce authentic whisky, we will follow it, even if it is inefficient. Such passion, which can be called the origin of Nikka Whisky, and Masataka Taketsuru’s desire to achieve his dreams are still being passed down today.
Yoichi Distillery’s official website is here.
4. About Miyagikyo Distillery
It has been about 30 years since the first distillery was started in Yoichi, Hokkaido. Masataka Taketsuru, who believed that “blending multiple original whiskies from different distilleries makes whisky richer and richer in flavor” desperately needed a second distillery. Taketsuru chose Miyagikyo in Sendai. Miyagikyo Gorge in Sendai, a lush green gorge blessed with two clear streams, the Hirose River and the Shinkawa River. On his first visit to this area, Taketsuru drank Black Nikka he had in the clear water of the Shinkawa River and confirmed the taste. It is said that he decided to build the distillery on the spot. The Miyagikyo Distillery is proud of its Cafe-style continuous distillation machine. At the time of its introduction, this distillation machine was already considered obsolete. Because it is an old type, it tends to leave a lingering taste, but Taketsuru chose this old type distillation machine because it is possible to transform it into the original aroma and sweetness of the raw materials through technology. At Miyagikyo Distillery, the people who inherited Taketsuru’s passion continue to make various attempts in pursuit of the deliciousness of whisky.
Image Exhibit: Miyagikyo Distillery｜NIKKA WHISKY
5. Limited series lineup of Yoichi and Miyagikyo
5-1 Yoichi Non-peated
Although the taste is non-piped, the overall flavor is slightly sweet with a powerful assertion of malt from direct coal-fired distillation, as one would expect from Yoichi, and the fruity aroma is followed by a sweet and savory aroma like buttered toast. It gradually gives way to a bitter aftertaste. The sweetness brings the whole thing together nicely, and it is a whisky that comes together with a fruity, all-encompassing sweetness that is unlike any other Yoichi we have ever tasted.
5-2 Miyagikyo Peated
The originally gorgeous and fruity Miyagikyo dares to use only peated malt. While making the most of Miyagikyo’s character, the addition of peat gives this whisky a good balance between the mellow, light sweetness of Miyagikyo malt and a strong peat taste.
The aroma is somewhat hidden by the peat, and it is easy to detect the sweetness of the oak and vanilla, but as time goes by, the pleasant peat comes to the forefront. The taste is a mix of dark berry sweet and sour, vanilla sweetness, and rich cocoa chocolate sweetness with the peat at the core, but the peat asserts itself again at the end.
5-3 Yoichi Apple Brandy Wood Finish
The strong, thick flavor of “Single Malt Yoichi” is further aged in apple brandy casks to achieve a harmonious combination of rich sweetness and peat richness. The aroma is sweet and malty and rich, like apple compote, and the flavor is savory and sweet, like baked goods reminiscent of apple pie or fruit cookies, followed pleasantly by a hint of peat and barley sweetness.
5-4 Miyagikyo Apple Brandy Wood Finish
The gorgeous, light “Single Malt Miyagikyo” is further aged in apple brandy casks to achieve a harmony of refreshing sweetness and soft astringency. It has a calm, woody oak aroma, sweet and floral aroma, fresh apple lushness, and a sweet and sour taste reminiscent of fruitcake, with the bitterness and sweetness of the oak slowly followed by a cinnamon-like spiciness.
5-5 Yoichi Manzanilla Wood Finish
The powerful and thick tasting “Single Malt Yoichi” is further aged in Manzanilla casks to create a harmonious blend of fruity sweetness, richness, and savory peat. You will enjoy the aroma of tropical fruits such as peach and papaya, sweet and sour notes reminiscent of shortcake, and a lingering peat aftertaste reminiscent of a bonfire.
5-6 Miyagikyo Manzanilla Wood Finish
The gorgeous, light “Single Malt Miyagikyo” is further aged in manzanilla casks, and features a harmonious combination of mild sweetness and soft bitterness. The single malt Miyagikyo has a sweet aroma reminiscent of dried fruits, coconuts, and milk chocolate, and a slightly bitter aftertaste derived from the barrels.
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.
