The latest in the T&T TOYAMA COLLECTION. A review of a single cask from the Ontake Distillery.
This is an original brand carefully selected by Mr. Inagaki and Mr. Shimono of T&T TOYAMA from the original sake distilled and matured at distilleries all over Japan, and selected for their high quality and unique characteristics.
1. Manufacturer
1-1. Wakatsuru Shuzo Co.
| Established | 1862 |
| Head office location | 208 Saburomaru, Tonami, Toyama 939-1308 |
| Owned distillery | Saburomaru Distillery |
For more information about Saburomaru Distillery, click here.
1-2. MALTOYAMA
Maltoyama obtained a liquor sales license in March 2013 and began operating.
The owner, Tadaaki Shimono, has visited over 130 whisky distilleries worldwide.
In 2020, he launched T&T TOYAMA as a project with Takahiko Inagaki of Wakatsuru Shuzo and Saburomaru Distillery, and in 2021, he will start the world’s first full-scale Japanese whisky bottlers business.
In April 2022, T&T TOYAMA will construct the T&T TOYAMA Iba Maturation Depot and begin maturation in the depot.
Maltoyama is a mail order specialty store for single malt whisky.
1-3. T&T TOYAMA
T&T TOYAMA is a joint project by Takahiko Inagaki of the Saburomaru Distillery of Wakatsuru Shuzo and Tomiyama’s Tadaaki Shimono, with the aim of promoting the attractiveness of whisky from Tomiyama Prefecture.
The name “T&T TOYAMA” is derived from the T of Inagaki Takahiko and Shimono Tadaaki, following the example of a major Scottish bottler.
The business activities are
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Japanese Whisky Bottlers Business
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Scotch Whiskey Bottlers Business
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Distillery consulting business
1-4. Ontake Distillery
Nishi Shuzo Co.
| Location | 4970-17 Yogura, Fukiage-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima |
| Founded | Koka 2 (1845) |
| Business | Production and sales of authentic shochu (Tominohozan, etc.), sake, whiskey, wine, liqueurs, and spirits |
| Location of distillery | 12300 Shimofukumoto-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Start of operation | 2019 |
Acquired Kagoshima Golf Resort in February 2011; built a whisky distilling facility within the golf resort in 2019.
This will be the third distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, following Hombo Shuzo’s Mars Tsunuki Distillery and Komasa Brewery’s Kanosuke Distillery. “Ontake” refers to Sakurajima, which seems to be the official name of Sakurajima since ancient times. The distillery is located on a hilltop overlooking Kinko Bay and Ontake (Sakurajima) with over 1,000 liters of natural soft water gushing out every minute.
There are two pot stills, one for first distillation and one for redistillation. The line arms of both stills are designed to face upward, so that heavy flavor components are removed and only “fruity and deep flavor components” are extracted. The distillery’s goal is to use a clean, mouthwatering new pot, with a mellow fruit aroma, a balanced flavor, and a clear mouthfeel that glides down the throat.
The distillery also made a splash in 2019 with the release of a craft gin called “尽～tsukusu-” which is the result of extracting a total of 24 different botanicals.
(Image source: Ontake Distillery’s official website )
3. Photo of the bottle and website where it can be purchased
Single cask Ontake 2021 3 years old sherry butt 58.5% T&T TOYAMA COLLECTION
Single cask Ontake 2021 3 years old sherry butt 58.5% T&T TOYAMA COLLECTION
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4. Characteristics
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4-1. Tasting Notes
Aroma Cafe mocha, prunes, American cherries, wet wood notes Taste Dark fruits, savory baked nuts, dried figs Aftertaste Dark fruits are replaced by aromatic and dried fruit sweetness, and the sherry-derived aroma lingers for a long time. 4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 58.5% |
| Alcohol category | Single malt single cask Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Sherry butt |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 622 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 21,978 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | June 14, 2024 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Single Cask Ontake 2021 3 years Sherry Butt 58.5% T&T TOYAMA COLLECTION |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 21,978 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
No resale on Mercari could be confirmed at this time. (*As of June 19, 2024)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auction
No listings appear to be available on Yahoo! Auctions at this time. (*As of June 19, 2024)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
No confirmed sales on mail order sites (*As of June 19, 2024)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, we offer small quantities such as 1 glass, 45ml: 5,610 yen, 30ml: 3,740 yen, 15ml: 1,870 yen, etc.
7. Summary
Please check out the other articles about “Ontake Distillery”.
Please also see other articles about “T&T TOYAMA”.
