Information on the releaseofYUZA2024 from Yuza Distillery, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The new release information and the past products are also introduced.
1. YUZA 2024
“YUZA 2024”, a single malt Japanese whisky, will be released in late July 2024.
This year, YUZA 2024 will be the “starting point” of YUZA Distillery’s house style single malt Japanese whiskey.
The original whisky is carefully selected from those matured in bourbon casks. It is characterized by its clean, fruity taste and sweet, vanilla-like flavor.“YUZA 2024” has evolved and gained depth through maturation. Please enjoy it as a “staple” of the Yuza Distillery.
Characteristics of aroma and taste
In a word, “clean, sweet and fruity”. Vanilla, honey, and fruity sweet aroma. Fine and clean sake quality, smooth, refined and well-balanced taste.Reference: New Product Information | Yuza Distillery (yuza-disty.jp )
| Suggested Retail Price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | Late July, 2024 |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 51% |
| Cask alcohol | ー |
2. What is Yuza Distillery?
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Image credit: Yuza Distillery Facebook
The Yuza Distillery is the third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region, and was established in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018 by Kinryu Co.
Yuza-cho is blessed with fresh, clean air and water from Mt. Chokai, which has been selected as one of the “100 best water towns” in Japan, and is ideal for producing top-quality whisky.
The pot stills used are made by Forsyth, and five fermentation tanks are made of Canadian bay pine. The process and aging methods are also based on Scottish methods, with young whisky not being casked, and only whisky that has been fully matured to its satisfaction is produced, focusing only on single malts. Because it is a small distillery that cannot mass-produce whisky, they go to great lengths in every detail to produce the highest quality whisky with the utmost care.
Yuza Distillery Whisky
“TLAS” conceptThe whisky produced at Yuza Distillery is based on the concept of “TLAS,” which stands for
Tiny, Lovely, Authentic, and Supreme.
The concept of the distillery is “TLAS”, which stands for the initials of the above.The 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. While using traditional production methods, the distillery also has a Japanese style of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship), which makes it a one-of-a-kind Japanese whisky.
Quote from Yuza’s official website
List of other distilleries
3. Whiskies released by Yuza Distillery in the past
3-1. YUZA First Edition 2022
3-2. YUZA Second Edition 2022
3-3. YUZA 2023
3-4. YUZA Third Edition 2023
3-5. YUZA Spring In Japan 2024
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.
