Helios Shuzo’s malt whisky “Kyoda” series single malt is now in stock. Introducing a malt whisky matured in the tropical island of Okinawa.
Previously, Single Cask Kyoda arrived and we introduced it to you, and now Single Malt Kyoda Sherry Cask Finish has newly arrived and we would like to introduce it to you.
1. photos of the bottle and the website where you can purchase it
Single Malt Whisky Kyoda Sherry Cask Finish
Single Malt Whisky KYODA Sherry Cask Finish
Click here for the distillery’s direct sales page
2. characteristics
From the Kyoda brand of single malt Japanese whisky, a special whisky that allows you to enjoy the concert of the casks.
The whisky is vatted from several different casks, each with its own unique character, and aged in two types of sherry casks.Malt whisky made from gorgeous non-peat malt from England, prepared and distilled at the Kyoda distillery in 2019, and aged in oak casks for more than three years, vatted in multiple casks, each with a different character.
It is then further aged in two types of sherry casks using the wood finish method.
◎Two types of special sherry casks used for post-ripening
The two special sherry casks used for maturation were dry sherry “Oloroso” casks and sweet sherry “Pedro Ximenez (PX)” casks, which our chairman, Ryo Matsuda, personally visited Spain, the home of sherry, and encountered.◎The commitment to the Kyoda brand is also reflected in this product.
Non chill-filtered and non-colored cask strength, reflecting the Helios Shuzo’s commitment to the Kyoda brand.Reference: Helios Shuzo online store
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2-1. Tasting Notes
Aroma Dark cherry, walnut, dark grade maple syrup, chocolate waffle Taste Nut cake, orange brownie, snack pineapple, allspice Aftertaste Sourness and sweetness remain, with a long-lasting spicy oak flavor characteristic of sherry. 2-2. Product Specifications
Alcohol Content 56.1% alcohol by volume By Sake Single Malt Japanese whisky Cask Aged Matured in oak casks, Oloroso sherry casks, PX casks
Content 700ml Number of bottles sold Limited to 180 bottles at the online store Suggested Retail Price 16,500 yen (tax included)
3. awards
No awards have been received at this time.
４．Price
４-1．Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Single Malt whisky Kyoda Sherry Cask Finish |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | Tax included: 16,500 yen |
4-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercarirange from 10,000 yen to 17,500 yen. (*As of 3/4/2025)
4-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
Yahoo au ctions were confirmed to be selling at about the list price. Past products are also available. (*As of 3/4/2025)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
The price was 16,000 yen at a mail-order site. (*As of 3/4/2025)
4-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, the price is 3,630 yen for 45ml , 2,420 yen for 30ml, 1,210 yen for 15ml, and so on for small amounts.
5. Manufacturer
Helios Shuzo Co.
| Established | 1961 |
| Head office location | 405 Aza Kyoda, Nago City, Okinawa 905-0024, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Helios Shuzo Distillery |
6. distillery
Kyoda distillery
| Location | 405, Kyoda, Nago City, Okinawa 905-0024, Japan |
| Start of operation | 2016 (whisky production resumed) |
This distillery is located in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. Passing through the village of” Kohenzoko”, an impressive Okinawan red-tiled building appears amidst the green forest and colorful Okinawan vegetation.
Helios Shuzo, which currently holds six licenses for sake production, offers a wide variety of products under the motto “sake entertainer rooted in the community” in its pursuit of sake brewing that will last for a hundred years.
The first thing we are particular about in sake brewing is water. In search of abundant nature and clean water, the company found KYODA, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, where it has been brewing sake since ancient times. Surrounded by the ancient Yanbaru forest, Kyoda has been called the “water city. The rain that falls in the forest soaks deep into the earth, storing minerals in the soil, and is slowly released into the river over a long period of time. Helios Shuzo’s sake is brewed using pure, natural water from the upper reaches of the river that runs behind the Shuzo.
The representative product is ” Kura,” an old Awamori sake, which has been a long-seller for 30 years since its launch in 1991.
The company also sells a whisky called “Kura” with the same name.
History
1961: Taiyo Shuzo established in Naha City. Produces rum made from Okinawan sugarcane.
1963 Begins production of whisky
1969 Company name changed to Helios Shuzo Co.
1972 Head office and factory relocated to current location in Aza Kyoda, Nago City
1991: Utilizing the barrel-aging technology cultivated in the Western-style alcohol business, the company launched Kura, an oak barrel-aged Awamori.
We are a Shuzo with a long history. For a detailed history of the company, click here.
Image exhibit: Helios Shuzo official website
For more information about the Xudian distillery, see also here ↓.
7. Summary
The aroma is quite dark among Japanese single malt sherry cask finishes. The spicy, oaky yet chocolatey sweetness and the elegant acidity, which is unimaginable from the aroma, combine well to create a deep whisky.
It is an even more interesting product when you compare the peaty single cask Kyoda Sherry with the non peaty single malt Kyoda.
Please take a look at other articles about “Kyoda”.
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.
