“YUZA 2023” has been released on the official website of the Yuza Distillery (Kinryu Co., Ltd.) in Yamagata Prefecture.
The First and Second editions released last year were cask strength, but this time it was bottled at 51% alcohol by volume with added water to make it easier to drink straight.
Although the limited number of bottles has not been announced, it is expected to be more than the First and Second editions due to the fact that the bottling will be watered down.
1. YUZA 2023
“YUZA 2023” is a single malt Japanese whisky that can be considered the “origin” of Yuza Distillery’s house style.
The original whisky is carefully selected from those aged in bourbon casks and has a clean, fruity taste with a sweet, vanilla-like flavor.Enjoy it as a “staple” of the Yuza Distillery.Characteristics of aroma and taste: “Clean, sweet and fruity”Vanilla, honey, and fruity sweet aroma.The taste is smooth, refined, and well-balanced.
Reference: New Product Information｜Yuza Distillery
“YUZA 2023” is a single malt Japanese whisky that can be considered the “origin” of Yuza Distillery’s house style. | Product name |
YUZA 2023 |
|---|---|
| Sake type | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | ー |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Degree of | 51% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 13,750 yen (tax included) |
| Manufactured at | Yuza Distillery |
| Producer | Kinryu Co. |
2. How to purchase
There is no information on lottery sales on the official website. There are no reservations or sales at Kinryu Co. and Yuza Distillery, and they plan to sell at liquor stores.
3. About Kinryu Co.
Located in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, this sake brewery traces its roots to “Yamagata Prefecture Fermentation Industry”, which was established in April 1950 in Funaba-cho, Sakata City, and at the same time began producing and selling shochu (Japanese liquor). Today, we are still primarily engaged in the production of shochu.
In 2018, the company obtained a license to produce whisky. In the same year, the Yuza Distillery began operations.
4. About Yuza Distillery
Kinryu Co., Ltd. opened its third whisky distillery in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018, following the Miyagikyo and Asaka Distilleries in the Tohoku region.
Yusa-cho is blessed with fresh, clean air and water from the Chokai Mountains, making it an ideal location for the production of top-quality whisky.
The distillery uses Forsyth pot stills, five fermentation tanks, and Canadian bay pine. The process and aging methods are also based on Scottish methods. Young whisky is not casked, and only whisky that has been fully matured to its satisfaction is produced, focusing only on single malt. Because we are a small distillery that cannot mass-produce whisky, we go to great lengths in every detail to produce the highest quality whisky with the utmost care.
Yuza Distillery Whisky Concept
“TLAS” conceptThe whisky produced at the Yuza Distillery is
Tiny
Lovely
Authentic
Supreme
The concept of the Yuza Distillery is “TLAS”, which stands for the initials of the above.Yuza Distillery is a very small distillery for a whisky distillery, with a site area of approximately 4,550 square meters and a distillery area of approximately 620 square meters. The exterior of the distillery may look small and cute, but the whisky produced here is authentic and of the highest quality. It is a one-of-a-kind Japanese whisky produced using traditional methods, but with the Japanese spirit of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship).
Reference: Whisky making philosophy | Yuza Distillery
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.
