A Sauternes cask-finished Whisky from Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima Prefecture has been released. Here’s a review of this bottle that brings out a new side of Sakurao!
This is part of the popular “Stillman’s Selection” series released by Sakurao Distillery.
The first release was Sakurao SHERRY CASK, the second was Togouchi MISTY, the third was Sakurao SPANISH OAK, and now we have this Sauternes Cask Finish.
How has the Sauternes Cask Finish transformed Sakurao’s base spirit?
Let’s explore the appeal of this release through its sweet aroma and flavor!
1. Photos of the Bottle and Label
Single Malt SAKURAO SAUTERNES CASK FINISH Stillman’s Selection
Single Malt SAKURAO SAUTERNES CASK FINISH Stillman’s Selection
 |
 |
 |
 |
2. Characteristics of Single Malt SAKURAO Sauternes Cask Finish Stillman’s Selection
Sakurao Brewery & Distillery Co., Ltd. (1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture:President and CEO Koichiro Shirai) will release “Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO Sauternes Cask Finish Stillman’s Selection”—a whisky aged at the SAKURAO Warehouse and carefully selected by Stillman—on Friday, August 7, 2026.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY is blessed with the natural beauty of both the sea and the mountains. At the Sakurao Warehouse, located on the ocean side, the temperature difference between summer and winter is significant, and maturation progresses rapidly within the barrels bathed in sea breezes. Additionally, a variety of barrels are used to mature a diverse range of base spirits.
The numerous Sauternes casks lined up in the warehouse also reveal distinct characteristics from cask to cask. From among these, Stillman’s has carefully selected and bottled only the base spirits that possess an exceptionally rich aroma.
Enjoy the sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of white peaches and the muscat fruitiness that spreads across the palate with a smooth mouthfeel. Finally, savor the finish, where rich sweetness and elegant acidity harmonize.《What is STILLMAN’S SELECTION?》
SAKURAO DISTILLERY is blessed with the natural beauty of both the sea and the mountains. The Sakurao Warehouse, where the gentle sea breeze from the Seto Inland Sea blows, and the Togouchi Warehouse, nestled deep within the Chugoku Mountains and surrounded by forests and clear streams, produce a variety of base spirits due to their distinct environments.Drawing on over 100 years of distillation expertise and having tasted countless base spirits, Stillman has selected exceptional malt base spirits with his refined sensibility.The estery, fruity aroma—which rises gently but bursts forth the moment it touches the palate—is a hallmark of SAKURAO DISTILLERY’s base spirits, a quality to which Stillman is deeply committed. We are pleased to present to you this unique flavor, woven from Stillman’s conviction and tradition.
■Tasting Notes
Color: Bright amber
Aroma: White peach, ripe apple, mango
Taste / Muscat-like fruitiness and a smooth mouthfeel
Finish: A rich, lingering aftertaste where deep sweetness and elegant acidity harmonizeSource: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY Sakurao & Togouchi | SAKURAO DISTILLERY
《What Is a Sauternes Cask?》
A Sauternes cask is a barrel that was used to age “Sauternes,” the world’s finest sweet botrytis-affected wine produced in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France. Aging in a Sauternes cask imparts a sweet aroma reminiscent of honey, apricots, and dried fruits, along with a rich and full-bodied flavor.
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Honey, white grapes, custard, peach compote, a hint of white pepper |
| Palate | White grape skins, raisins, citrus peel, with a spicy note from the base wine lingering on the finish |
| Finish | A sweet, lingering finish, with fleeting hints of brininess and spice |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 46% |
| Category | Japanese Single Malt Whisky |
| Cask Type | Aged for at least 3 years in bourbon barrels, followed by at least 1 year of finishing in Sauternes casks |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | Limited Edition |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release Date | August 2026 |
3. Awards
Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2025: Gold Medal
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026: Silver Medal
4. List Price and Online Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Single Malt Sakurao Sauternes Cask Finish Stillman’s Selection |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is 26,800 yen. (*As of August 14, 2026)
Previously released distillery-limited Sauternes Cask bottles are priced at 32,500 yen.
4-3. Winning Bid Prices on Yahoo! Auctions
We have confirmed winning bids on Yahoo! Auctions in the range of around 20,000 yen. (As of August 14, 2026)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and Amazon
We were unable to find any listings on online shopping sites such as Rakuten. (As of August 14, 2026)
We were able to confirm that Stillman’s Selection Sakurao SHERRY CASK is listed for sale.
4-5. Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this site, it is served at the following prices: 45 ml for 4,290 yen, 30 ml for 2,860 yen, and 15 ml for 1,430 yen.
5. Manufacturer
Sakurao Brewery & Distillery Co., Ltd.
| Established | 1918 |
| Headquarters | 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture 738-8602 |
| Distilleries Owned | Sakurao Distillery |
6. Distillery
Sakurao Distillery
| Location | 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture 738-8602 |
| Start of Operations | January 2018 |
SakuraoBrewery & Distillery Co.,Ltd., basedin Hiroshima Prefecture, is a long-established sake brewery founded in 1918.
In fact, the company has a long history of Whisky production, having manufactured and sold malt Whisky from 1938 to 1989. The raw spirits distilled during that period were stored in a warehouse located in Togouchi, which utilized a test tunnel originally built by JR West for railway construction.
In 2008, the company began selling “Togouchi Whisky,” a blend of the raw spirit stored in the Togouchi warehouse and imported raw spirits. (Reportedly, 90% of it is exported to Europe.)
As part of its 100th-anniversary commemorative project, in December 2017, the company installed new equipment to produce high-quality single malt Whisky and constructed “SAKURAO DISTILLERY,” a craft distillery based in Hiroshima. Distillation began in January 2018.
Currently, the distillery offers three varieties: “Single Malt SAKURAO,” “Single Malt Togouchi,” and “Blended Whisky Togouchi.” It sells whiskies at price points unique to a distillery that also produces grain whisky.
Construction is currently underway on the “Sakurao Distillery Forest Site” on the former grounds of “Yoshiwa Mihaku no Sato” within the city. The facility will consist of a distillation building where visitors can observe the production process and a visitor center featuring a bar.
| December 2017 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY Completed |
|---|---|
| October 2018 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTER Opens |
| 2019 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY Phase 2 Construction (Installation of Grain Whisky Distillation Equipment and Construction of New Whisky Storage Warehouse) |
| March 2021 | Company name changed to SAKURAO Brewery & Distillery Co., Ltd. |
Click here for more articles on Sakurao Distillery ↓
https://en.jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/sakurao_en/
7. Summary
Japanese whiskies aged in Sauternes casks are extremely rare even within Japan.
Its flavor profile showcases the sweetness and richness derived from the Sauternes casks, while retaining the briny and spicy notes characteristic of Sakurao’s base spirit, resulting in a complex taste that doesn’t lean too heavily on sweetness alone.
Please be sure to savor this rare bottle, a creation made possible only by the unique aging environment at the Sakurao Distillery!
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.
