AMAHAGAN is aged in Okinawa.
Two types of “AMAHAGAN OKINAWA Aging Edition” will be bottled in limited quantities and will be available from April 8, 2025.
１．AMAHAGAN OKINAWA Aging Edition
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１‐１．Product Information
Enjoy the wonders of time brought about by the aging process in the tropics.
Nagahama Distillery, the smallest whisky distillery in Japan operated by Nagahama Romantic Beer Co.
The AMAHAGAN Edition No. 1 is a regular recipe blended at Nagahama Distillery, packed in carefully selected bourbon and sherry casks, and aged for an additional 3 years and 3 months at Masahiro Shuzo in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture.
This is a special cask with a distinctive flavor born in subtropical Okinawa, which is hot and humid throughout the year.Matured in bourbon casks, it has a fruity, tropical flavor.
The sherry casks give it a melancholy flavor reminiscent of dead leaves as well as a sense of maturity.
This test cask is an ambitious work that pursues new flavor possibilities by combining the whisky-making techniques cultivated at Nagahama Distillery with the unique aging environment of Okinawa.
We hope you will enjoy the mellow and deep flavor brought about by Nagahama’s blending technology and the aging process in Okinawa.Official comment from Nagahama Romantic Beer Co.
1-2. Product Specifications
AMAHAGAN Okinawa Aged Bourbon Cask
| Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate | Single Malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 2,000 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 8,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Release date |
April 8, 2025 (Tuesday) |
Color: deep amber
Aroma: Rich top notes of vanilla and cinnamon, with sweet aromas of maple syrup, white peach, and tropical fruits reminiscent of mango. The aroma is also full of mellow woody flavors.
Taste: Soft sweetness of honey and coconut, followed by juicy tropical fruitiness of pineapple and lychee. The sweetness from the bourbon barrels and the freshness of the tropical fruits are appealing. Enjoy it on the rocks in a relaxed atmosphere.
AMAHAGAN Okinawa Aged Sherry Cask
| Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
| By Sake | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Sherry cask |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 500 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 9,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Release date |
April 8, 2025 (Tuesday) |
Color: Bright amber color
Aroma: Juicy aroma of pancake syrup, ripe apple and citrus. The moderate tannins from the sherry casks, the mild astringency of dried fruits and black tea, and the calm leafy aroma reminiscent of dead leaves. The vintage essence of the wine, which reminds us of the time of maturity, spreads in the glass.
Taste: Gentle and smooth on the palate. Fruity sweetness, reminiscent of figs and citrus fruits, unfolds on the tongue. The lingering finish is pleasantly long with a leafy aftertaste of igusa and straw. The complexity and depth that only sherry cask aging can bring are appealing. Enjoy it slowly straight or toasted up.
1-3. Pre-order
Available for pre-order on the official website
２．Nagahama Distillery, Nagahama Roman Beer Co.
Japan’s smallest Nagahama distillery is located in the northern part of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture.
In 1996, it became the third distillery in the Kinki region to start craft beer production, and has been making craft beer for 20 years.
In 2016, Nagahama Romantic Beer began operating the Nagahama Distillery on site and began distilling whisky.
Image Source: Nagahama Romantic Beer Nagahama Distillery
Inspired by Scottish craft distilleries, the distillery features a rich, fruity, grain-derived, richly sweet, undiluted brew that flows from an alembic-shaped pot still and ultra-thin line arms.
Image source: Nagahama Romantic Beer Nagahama Distillery
In 2020, Amahagan, a blend of Nagahama Distillery malts based on overseas malt whiskys, won three out of four regular series bottles at the World Whisky Awards ( WWA ).
Image source: Nagahama Romantic Beer Nagahama Distillery
| Location | 14-1 Asahi-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga 526-0056 14-1 Asahi-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga |
| Access from JR Nagahama Station | 4 minutes walk from JR Nagahama Station About 4 km from Nagahama I.C. |
| Start of operation | 2016 |
| Official HP | Nagahama Distillery |
| Visiting | Allowed |
| Products |
THE LAST PIECE (T&T TOYAMA) |
３. last but not least.
Attempts to age in hot climates have become increasingly common in recent years.
Since they are highly acclaimed in the world, such as Kavalan, we are curious to see how the original sake from Nagahama Distillery will be matured.
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.
