Review of Kizakura Tamba Single Malt Bottled in 2024 1st fromTamba Distillery by Kizakura Co.Features, price, and how to purchase.
1.What is Kizakura Co.
| Company Name | KIZAKURA Co. |
| Established | October 1925 |
| Head office address | 223 Shioyamachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, 612-8046, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Kizakura Tamba Distillery |
2. What is Tamba distillery?
| Name of distillery | Kizakura Tamba Distillery |
| Location | 1-19 Honjo Dogaya, Imada-cho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Start of operation | 2018 |
We have been producing local beer for a long time, and using the procurement route of the raw materials, we are working on the selection of raw materials to achieve the ideal aroma and taste of the original sake. The malt used is English, both peated and non peated.
The wort is optimally prepared for whisky by utilizing the beer production technology that we began in 1998 as the first microbrewery in Kyoto. The fermentation of the mash is managed by a toji (master brewer), and the company makes full use of its unique fermentation technology cultivated in sake brewing, including the use of various yeasts, including sake yeast. The fermentation tanks are two wooden fermentation tanks made by Garberotto of Italy and four open-type hollow tanks. The duration of unrefining is 4 to 7 days.
In 2021, a copper pot still made by Forsyth in Scotland was introduced. First distillation: 2,500L straight type Second distillation: 2,000L bulge type
The distillery is located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains rich in nature and deep greenery called “Tamba-no-mori” (Tamba Forest). The annual temperature difference is 30 degrees Celsius, and the distillery is shrouded in fog in the mornings, where maturation takes place in the humid air polished by the mountains.
The casks used for maturing include not only bourbon casks, but also new casks, litchi casks, various sherry casks, oak casks, and many other types of casks.
Tamba Distillery Newborn Non Pete Sherry Cask 19 Months Aged” won the Category Winner at the “World Whisky Awards 2024” and has attracted much attention.
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| 2004 | Licensed to produce single-stage shochu, distillation begins at the Tamba Distillery site. Began production of authentic shochu with a single stainless steel pot still. |
| 2006 | Changed the company name to Yellow Cherry Blossom Co. |
| 2018 | Obtained license to manufacture whiskey. Began production. |
| 2021. | Released Hana Monogatari, a Yellow Cherry craft gin. Installed two Forsyth distillers and began full-scale whiskey production. |
| 2024 | Yellow Cherry single malt whiskey “Tamba” and Yellow Cherry blended malt whiskey “Sakura Chronos” are released. |
3. photos of the bottles and the website where they can be purchased
Kizakura Tamba Single Malt Bottled in 2024 1st
Kizakura tamba single malt Bottled in 2024 1st 
4. characteristics of Kizakura tamba single malt Bottled in 2024 1st
This is the fifth single malt Tamba, post-aged in Mizunara oak barrels, which are attracting worldwide attention as Japanese oak. The main feature is the longest aged single malt so far, five years. Fruity aromas reminiscent of green apple and citrus are given a subdued profile by the fragrant wood and spices derived from Mizunara oak. Please enjoy the “Japanese dress” of Japanese whiskey Tamba.
Color Amber Aroma Fresh fruit and floral nectar Taste Sweet and fruity, reminiscent of candied apples and muscat Total Refreshing and reminiscent of spring, but with a slow, satisfying spread. (Citation: ) Kizakura Tamba Distillery Whisky | Kizakura Tamba Single Malt Bottled in 2024 1st (kizakura.co.jp)
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | floral, canned peach, ginger syrup, soup stock |
| Taste | Chocolate with fruit sauce, fresh, lovely acidity and sweetness |
| Aftertaste | Pleasant sourness passes through the nose and lingers long with sweetness |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate | Single malt Japanese whiskey |
| Cask type | Mizunara oak, etc. |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 9,900 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | April 2024 |
5. Awards received
No awards received at this time.
6. List price and online price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Kizakura Tamba Single Malt Bottled in 2024 1st |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 9,900 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale price on Mercari cannot be confirmed at this time. (*As of 4/23/2024)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auction
Sold bids on Yahoo! Auctions could not be confirmed at present. Past series were sold. (*As of 4/23/2024)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
No items were confirmed to be on sale at mail-order sites. (*As of 4/23/2024)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45 ml: 3,300 yen, 30 ml: 2,200 yen, and 15 ml: 1,100 yen.
7. Summary
Tamba Distillery has been attracting attention with the introduction of a new Forsyth pot still and the “Tamba Distillery Newborn Non-Pete Sherry Cask Aged 19 Months” winning Category Winner at the “World Whisky Awards 2024”. It is a product of great workmanship and a delightful price point.
We have high expectations for their upcoming series of single malts, such as a single malt using only the original distilled by Forsyth’s, which will be released in the future.
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.
