The Japanese Obon vacation is over, and now is the time to start feeling the fatigue of summer. Many of you may have had a hard time sleeping without air conditioning during this summer’s scorching tropical nights. We have information on a fresh whisky that will make its debut as a new whisky that will help you get over these gloomy tropical nights.
( Head office: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture), a general liquor manufacturer that has been in business for more than 160 years since the Edo Period (1603-1867), has launched its first distillery in 60 years, the TAKAZODistillery, and will be selling ” TAKAZO Reborn. The last one is ” TAKAZO PURE MALT MIZUNARA CASK FINISH “, which is made from first-fill Mizunara oak barrels!
After a fire and other twists and turns, the Takazo Brewery has resumed whisky production for the first time in about 60 years. What kind of whiskies will be released by the company’s solid tradition and inherited technology? Of particular interest is “TAKAZO REBORN,” which is mainly composed of the original whisky made from Hyakunen Umeshu (plum wine) barrels! This is a gem that could never be made without TAKAZO Distillery. We will introduce it in detail in this article, so why don’t you take this opportunity to order some for yourselves?
1. about “TAKAZO REBORN” which will be released for the first time
As announced by Mr. Takahiro Kato, Managing Director of the series as a whole, “In terms of maturation, in addition to bourbon casks, one of the originalities of the series is the use of Mizunara oak casks, a signature cask for Japanese whisky, and plum wine casks in which “100-year plum wine” is aged and imbued with aroma”. As is said, “The distillery’s tradition and dedication to its craftsmanship have made it a gem of a distillery.
[image source: Takazo Distillery TAKAZO DISTILLERY, launched by Meiri Breweries for the first time in about 60 years, is now one year into its newborn year. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
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1-1. characteristics of TAKAZO Reborn
The solid tradition and technology of a long-established company that has been in business for 160 years. The accumulation of vast experience. The steady and careful craftsmen’s trial-and-error and insatiable pursuit have become the wisdom of the 160-year history of the TAKAZO Brewery. New Borm “TAKAZO” was completed by mobilizing all the accumulated history.
[image source: Takazo Distillery TAKAZO DISTILLERY, which Meiri Brewery launched for the first time in about 60 years, is now one year into its New Borm, “Takazo Reborn”. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
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The amount of yeast* was tripled and the fermentation period doubled from the beginning to create a deeply honed new pot, which was then aged in the same barrels used for Hyakunen Umeshu (plum wine). The resulting blend is ” TAKAZO REBORN “, which is composed mainly of the original sake produced from this process. (*The original yeast will be developed in 2023, but the actual brewing is still in the trial-and-error stage.)
The 200ml size of this beer has an alcohol content of 50% and is the pride of the TAKAZO Distillery.
[image source: Takazo Distillery TAKAZO DISTILLERY, which Meiri Breweries launched after 60 years, will release “TAKAZO REBORN”, a newborn year. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
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1-2. Release date, number of bottles manufactured, and price
[image source: TAKAZO DISTILLERY TAKAZO DISTILLERY, which Meiri Breweries launched for the first time in about 60 years, will release “TAKAZO REBORN”, a newborn year PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
| Shipment start date | October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) |
| Content volume | 200 ml |
| Retail price | 3,200 yen (excluding tax) |
| Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
| Number of bottles produced | Limited to 5,730 bottles |
About PURE MALT Series
Although there is no clear description in the release information, it is assumed that the “PURE MALT series”, which will be released at the same time as “TAKAZO Reborn”, is a product blended from imported sake and sake produced at TAKAZO distillery, judging from the price range and the name of the product. However, since there is no mention of “the original sake produced at the TAKAZO distillery,” it may be that the product is a blend of imported original sake purchased from overseas, refilled in plum wine or quercus oak barrels, and additionally aged at the TAKAZO distillery, and is to be sold under the name “PURE MALT WHISKY” (see below). The name “PURE MALT WHIKSKY” may be used to describe the blend.
Unfortunately, we are unable to obtain accurate information from the press release. We will provide more information as soon as accurate information becomes available.
Mr. Takashi Kato, the Managing Director of TAKAZO Distillery, has responded to our inquiry regarding the details of the PURE MALT series, and his comments are appended below.
This is a whisky that you will want to enjoy with “TAKAZO Reborn” while feeling the story of the TAKAZO distillery.
2-1. TAKAZO PURE MALT WHISKY REBORN PLUM WINE CASK FINISH Features
Pure malt whisky. The original plum wine casks in which “Hyakunen Umeshu”, which has the title of the best in Japan, was aged are blended as one of the important constituent whiskies, establishing a solid character.
Pure malt whisky by TAKAZO Distillery. The distillery blends the original distillate from the plum wine barrels in which the “Hyakunen Umeshu” (plum wine), which has the title of the best in Japan, is aged, as one of the important constituent ingredients. This bottle hints at the future of the TAKAZO distillery, where the fruity sweetness and aromatic vanilla aroma of the Japanese terroir can be felt.
[Quotation: Takazo Distillery TAKAZO DISTILLERY, launched by Meiri Sakarui for the first time in about 60 years, has released “TAKAZO REBORN,” which is one year into its newborn year, as well as the “PURE MALT” series. ｜ Press release by Meiri Sakarui Co.
[Image source: TAKAZO DISTILLERY TAKAZO DISTILLERY, launched by Meiri Sakéri for the first time in 60 years, has launched the “TAKAZO REBORN”, which is one year into its new life. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
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| Shipment start date | October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Retail price | 4,500 yen (excluding tax) |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Number of bottles produced | – |
2-2. TAKAZO PURE MALT WHISKY REBORN MIZUNARA CASK FINISH Characteristics
TAKAZO distillery never stops researching and evolving, from the development of yeast to fermentation and distillation. A pure malt whisky created in the modern age by the traditions handed down from generation to generation.
Pure malt whisky by TAKAZO Distillery. First-fill Mizunara oak casks, a symbol of Japanese whisky, are lavishly used and matured. This is a bottle that aims to combine the sweetness of fruit and spiciness in the quest for a fruity whisky, making the most of the Japanese terroir!
[Quotation: From “TAKAZO DISTILLERY TAKAZO DISTILLERY”, which Meiri Breweries launched for the first time in about 60 years, “TAKAZO REBORN”, which is one year newborn, and the “PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press release by Meiri Sakarui Co.
[Image source: TAKAZO DISTILLERY TAKAZO DISTILLERY, launched by Meiri Sakéri for the first time in approximately 60 years, has launched the “TAKAZO REBORN”, which is one year into its new life. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
| Shipment start date | Winter 2024 or later |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Retail price | 6,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Number of bottles produced | – |
3. method of purchase
Shipping dates for each product are as follows.
TAKAZO REBORN: October 1, 2024 (Tuesday)
TAKAZO PURE MALT PLUM WINE CASK FINISH: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
TAKAZO PURE MALT MIZUNARA CASK FINISH: Winter 2024 onward
Some products will be available in limited quantities from October 1 (Tue.) through our website, so please check our website if you are interested in purchasing them.
▼ Meiri Brewery “TAKAZO DISTILLERY TAKAZO DISTILLERY” website
About TAKAZO Distillery
General liquor manufacturer Meiri Sakarui Co., Ltd. obtained a license to produce whisky on September 26, 2022. However, the company actually started making whisky in 1952, but the whisky license was returned due to an accidental fire at the factory about 60-odd years ago. Since then, the company had given up whisky production.
After many twists and turns, in 2022, the company reopened the TAKAZO Distillery as a craft distillery made by human hands to match the scale at the time of reopening, and has been in business ever since.
Mito is a “water city” with a rich vein of water surrounded by the Naka River and Lake Senba. The magnesium-rich water that comes from underground is one of the most important elements for whisky making. The rich bounty of nature seems to be pumped up carefully and unchanged every day.
The distillers at TAKAZO Distillery are not only particular about water and barley, but also about research and development of yeast, which is important for determining the flavor, day and night.
[image source: Takazo Distillery TAKAZO DISTILLERY, launched by Meiri Breweries after 60 years, is now in its first year of production. PURE MALT” series are now on sale. ｜ Press Release ]
▼ Meiri Shurui Co.
Location: 338 Motoyoshidamachi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 310-0836, Japan
Access: [Car] 15 minutes from Mito Minami IC on Kita-Kanto Expressway
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.
This is also our effort to quickly gain knowledge of the blending and aging techniques, but it is a very high quality product for the price, and can be enjoyed as a highball.
This is the first whisky to breathe in Mito’s climate in 60 years, and along with Reborn, this is a series that we are very attached to.