- A single cask from the Ontake Distillery, meticulously tracked and selected over approximately five years by Master of whisky Shizuya. This 58% ABV, cask-strength whisky—aged for five years in a Solera sherry butt (Oloroso cask)—is available in a limited release across four varieties tailored to different ways of enjoying it.
Royal Mile Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kazunori Shizuya) has generated significant buzz with this release, attracting over 300 pre-registrations even before its official launch“Ontake Single Malt Kakemono Series 2021–2026 First-Fill Oloroso Solera Sherry Butt Single Cask Strength by The Plinius,” which has already generated significant buzz—including over 300 pre-registrations even before its official launch—will begin online sales on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 9:00 PM.
We are currently accepting pre-registrations for emails delivering updates on the sales launch and the latest information.
- 1. Ontake Single Malt “Hanging Scroll Series” 2021–2026 First-Fill Oloroso Solera Sherry Butt Single Cask Strength by The Plinius
- 2. Specifications
- 3. The First Release of the “Hanging Scroll Series ”
- 4. Four Purchase Options to Choose From
- 5. How to Purchase
- 6. Nishi Shuzo Ontake Distillery
- 7. Summary
- Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
1. Ontake Single Malt “Hanging Scroll Series” 2021–2026 First-Fill Oloroso Solera Sherry Butt Single Cask Strength by The Plinius
This special whisky is a limited edition of 582 bottles, bottled at cask strength (58% ABV) from spirit distilled in 2021 at the Ontake Distillery (Kagoshima Prefecture) and aged for five years in a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt (Solera).
This is the ultimate single cask, meticulously tracked and selected over approximately five years by Kazunori Shizuya, a leading authority on whisky and Master of whisky.
A special seminar held prior to the release was fully booked, and the whisky has already garnered significant attention, with rave reviews from participants who were among the first to taste it.
2. Specifications
| Product Name | Ontake Single Malt “Hanging Scroll Series” 2021-2026 First-Fill Oloroso Solera Sherry Butt Single Cask Strength by The Plinius |
| Price | 15,950 yen (tax included) |
| Alcohol Content | 58% |
| Ingredients | — |
| Barrels Used | Solera sherry casks (Oloroso casks) |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | 582 bottles |
| On Sale | August 28, 2026 (Fri) at 9:00 PM |
[Tasting Notes]
Aroma: A sweet and rich aroma rises pleasantly from the glass.
A concentrated, rich sweetness reminiscent of baked apples, loquat honey, and dried persimmons harmonizes with gentle, toasty nuances of baked goods like madeleines and castella. From the depths, a robust aroma of carefully dried, toasty malt (malty) gradually unfolds.
Gradually, the rich fruitiness of stemmed raisins layers on top, creating a magnificent harmony with the subtle toasty aroma lurking in the background.
Taste: The mouthfeel is incredibly smooth and sweet.
A pleasant, delicate smoky aroma—distinct from peat—blends exquisitely with the rich, toasty maltiness, giving the flavor a wonderful structure.
It offers the richness of freshly toasted bread spread with apple jam and an elegant bittersweetness reminiscent of bitter orange paired with chocolate.
As the finish unfolds, the pleasant astringency and vibrant aftertaste of a strong Earl Grey tea linger elegantly.
Overall Rating: A stunning finish in which the luxurious, rich fruitiness characteristic of a first-fill Oloroso sherry cask is firmly underpinned by the “toasty maltiness” inherent to Ontake Distillery’s base spirit.
Particularly noteworthy is the balance between the rich maltiness and sweetness, the exquisite smoky note hidden beneath them, and the complex bitterness provided by Earl Grey and bitter orange. A cask that exudes elegance and overwhelming potential.
3. The First Release of the “Hanging Scroll Series ”
The Plinius’ newly launched “Hanging Scroll Series ” is a collection that encapsulates Japanese aesthetics and the stories of the regions where these whiskys were born within a single bottle.
We at The Plinius wanted to deliver an “experience” that goes beyond simply tasting the whisky—one that allows you to reflect on the land and culture where it was born.In Japan, a culture has long been cultivated of Hanging Scroll in the tokonoma, arranging the space to suit the season or visiting guests, and offering hospitality.
At The Plinius, we incorporate the philosophy of these hanging scrolls into our whisky labels.
Our goal is to express the nature, culture, history, and the distiller’s passion of the region where the whisky was born, much like a single hanging scroll.For the first release in this commemorative series, we have chosen Mount Ontake (the northern peak of Sakurajima) in Kagoshima.
Since ancient times, there has been a cultural tradition of entrusting wishes for prosperity and good fortune to hanging scrolls.
The plume of smoke rising high into the sky from Mount Ontake is reminiscent of the “ascending dragon”—a beloved symbol of good fortune—and symbolizes rising fortune and great leaps forward.
We have superimposed our inexhaustible passion and wishes for prosperity onto the image of this active volcano, which constantly radiates the energy of the earth.Hoping that this upcoming series of hanging scrolls will be cherished for many years to come alongside our whisky, we have chosen Mount Ontake —a symbol of great leaps forward—as the first piece in the series.
4. Four Purchase Options to Choose From
1. Mt. Ontake Hanging Scroll Series—Sold Individually
Price: 15,950 yen (tax included)
Shipping Fee: 1,000 yen *Free shipping on purchases of 2 or more bottles
This is our standard product, allowing you to enjoy this limited-edition single cask (582 bottles only) just as it is.
2. Ontake Hanging Scroll Series Charity Bottle
Price: 16,450 yen (tax included) [Limited to 200 bottles]
Shipping: 1,000 yen
This is a charity bottle designed to support reconstruction efforts following the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake.
In addition to the regular product price, customers contribute 500 yen, and Royal Mile Co., Ltd. contributes an additional 500 yen.
A total of 1,000 yen per bottle will be donated to support reconstruction efforts in the disaster-affected areas.
This initiative allows us to participate in relief efforts alongside our customers through these sales.
3. Mt. Ontake Hanging Scroll Series Tasting Note Set
Price: 16,950 yen (tax included)
Shipping: Free
This set includes a tasting notebook designed not only for “drinking” whisky but also for recording the aromas and flavors you experience in your own words.
By recording the changes that occur when drinking it neat, with water, or in different glasses, you can enjoy a single whisky on a deeper level.
4. Ontake Hanging Scroll Series “Saki Glass” Set
Price: 25,850 yen (tax included)
Shipping: Free
To help you enjoy the aroma and flavor of whisky even more deeply, we’ve paired this set with the “Saki Glasses.”
This lineup is designed to let you experience the unique character of this product, including how the aroma develops and the flavor changes depending on the glass.
5. How to Purchase
6. Nishi Shuzo Ontake Distillery
Nishi Shuzo was founded in 1845. Nestled in the mountains of Hioki City, this long-established producer of authentic shochu boasts a history spanning over 170 years and is known for brands such as “ Satsuma Houzan ” and “Tenshi no Yuwaku.” In February 2011, the company acquired the Kagoshima Golf Resort.In 2019, the company built a whisky distillery within the golf resort.
This marks the third distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, following Hombo Shuzo’s Mars Tsunuki Distillery and Komasa shuzo’s Kanosuke Distillery.
“Ontake ” refers to Sakurajima and appears to be the island’s traditional, official name.
The still room consists of a total of two pot stills one primary still and one secondary still.
Both have upward-facing line arms, resulting in a fruity, deep aroma and a clean, crisp new make spirit. All barrels used for aging are used sherry casks.
The distillery also made headlines in 2019 with the release of “Tsukusu ” a craft gin created by infusing a total of 24 botanicals.
| Location | 891-0144 12300 Shimofukumoto-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 5 minutes from the Nansatsujyukando Taniyama IC on the Ibusuki Skyline and the approx. 20 minutes by car from downtown Kagoshima Approx. 40 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport |
| Start of Operations | 2019 |
| Official Website | Ontake Distillery |
| Tours | — |
| Products |
Ontake The First Edition 2023 |
7. Summary
While this is just my personal opinion, I’ve found the whiskys released by the Ontake Distillery to date to be of high quality and delicious.
Since they’re being sold as a set with the “Saki Glass”—which usually sells out immediately upon release—there’s sure to be a scramble to get them.
I recommend signing up for email updates on the official website linked below so you don’t miss any information.
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.
