Yamagata’s Yuza Distillery’s first whisky with kanji spelling appeared.
Yuza Distillery, which carefully creates each product based on the belief that it will not release a product unless it is of satisfactory quality, has finally released its first whisky with kanji spelling．
Among the new distilleries, there are not many distilleries that are still producing whiskys in Kanji spelling, and this is a very valuable opportunity to learn about the current status of the distillery.
１．YUZA Single Malt Japanese Whisky 6years
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1-1．Product Information
First-fill bourbon cask-aged spirit is carefully selected and bottled at cask strength with the weight of six years still intact.
Aromas reminiscent of vanilla and apricot are layered with smooth flavors, and the fruity character typical of the Yuza distillery lingers into the aftertaste.
We hope you will enjoy the depth and evolution that aging brings.Citation: Manufacturer’s data
1-2．Product Specs
alcohol content (usu. expressed per cent) 59% distinction by alcohol single malt whisky cask-type bourbon barrel quantity of content 700ml number of long thin objects (movies, TV programs, baseball games, etc.) Limited edition of 7000 pieces Price 19,800 yen (including tax)
２．Kinryu Yuza Distillery
Top quality, world-class Japanese whisky from Yamagata, Japan.
Kinryu Co., Ltd. which operates the Yuza Distillery was founded in 1950 as a joint venture by nine sake brewers in Yamagata Prefecture. The company produces neutral spirits called brewing alcohol and Kou-type shochu made by a continuous distiller.
Kinryu is Yamagata’s only manufacturer specializing in shochu, but when we considered the declining consumption of shochu and sake, and the population problems in Yamagata Prefecture, we decided to take on the whisky business as a new venture for the future.
Image source: Yuza Distillery Facebook page
YUZA First edition 2022″ was released in February 2022.Limited edition of 8,500 bottles.
YUZA First edition 2022 was created with the strong belief that “we will mature our whiskys until we are satisfied” and “we will focus on offering only products that conform to the definition of Japanese whisky.The dawn of time has finally arrived.
Thereafter, new products are released once or twice a year.
Location 999-8302
20 Kakujita, Yoshide, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata
To learn more about the distillery, click here.
Products currently being released by Yuza Distillery
3．Finally.
The fact that this release is also made primarily from bourbon barrels, the house style, again raises expectations.
The label has been changed from “YUZA” in Roman characters to Kanji characters, which shows Yuza Distillery’s will to move forward to the next step.
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.
