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“Tamba,” a whisky produced by Kizakura Co., Ltd.
A new shipment of “Owner’s Cask” from Musashiya Liquor Store has arrived.
1. Bottle photos and websites where you can purchase it
Tamba Single Malt Musashiya Owner’s Cask 2023
TAMBA Single Malt Musashiya Owner’s Cask 2023 
2. Characteristics of Kizakura’s Tamba Single Malt
Tamba-sasayama City, home to the Tamba Distillery, is a basin at an elevation of 200–300 meters, surrounded by mountains.With a low average annual temperature of 13°C and significant daily temperature fluctuations, the region has a unique climate characterized by frequent fog throughout the year. Surrounded by cool, tranquil air and mountains, rivers flowing through the valleys carry high-quality soft water.
This environment closely resembles that of the Highlands region in Scotland—the home of whisky—where historic distilleries are clustered together.
Source: Musashiya Online Store | Tamba Single Malt Musashiya Owner’s Cask 2023
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Compote of European pears, orchard syrup, pineapple cookies |
| Palate | Smoky mango, pineapple baked in a salt oven, earthy nuances |
| Finish | Juicy, smoky notes linger for a long time alongside the acidity |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 60% |
| Category | Single Cask Japanese whisky |
| Barrel Type | Bourbon cask |
| Content Capacity | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | — |
| Suggested Retail Price | 13,200 yen (tax included) |
| Release Date | June 2026 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received to date.
4. List Price and Online Prices
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Kizakura Tamba Single Malt |
| Content Capacity | 700 ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 13,200 yen (tax included) |
It is still available for purchase on the Musashiya official website.
4-2. Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this website, we serve 45 ml for 3,630 yen, 30 ml for 2,420 yen, and 15 ml for 1,210 yen per glass.
5. What is Kizakura Co., Ltd.?
| Company Name | Kizakura Co., Ltd. |
| Established | October 1925 |
| Headquarters Address | 223 Shioya-machi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-City, Kyoto Prefecture 612-8046 |
| Distilleries Owned | Kizakura Tamba Distillery |
6. What is the Tamba Distillery?
| Distillery Name | Kizakura Tamba Distillery |
| Location | 1-19 Honjo Dogatani, Konda-cho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Start of Operations | 2018 |
We have been brewing craft beer for some time, and by leveraging our existing supply chains for raw materials, we are dedicated to selecting the finest ingredients to achieve the ideal aroma and flavor in our base spirit. We use malt from the UK, including both peated and unpeated varieties.
Leveraging the brewing expertise gained since 1998—when we began as Kyoto’s first craft beer brewery—we prepare wort that is optimal for whisky production. We fully utilize the unique fermentation techniques cultivated through sake brewing, such as the brewmaster’s fermentation management methods and the use of various yeasts, including sake yeast, to manage the fermentation of the mash.The fermentation tanks consist of two wooden fermentation vats manufactured by the Italian company Garberotto and four open-top enamel tanks. The mash holds for 4 to 7 days.
Previously, stainless steel stills were used. In 2021, copper pot stills manufactured by Forsyth of Scotland were introduced. First distillation: 2,500 L, straight-type: Second distillation: 2,000 L, bulge-type
Located at an elevation of approximately 300 meters, the distillery is surrounded by lush mountains and the deep greenery of the “Tamba Forest.” With an annual temperature range of 30 degrees, the distillery is often shrouded in morning fog, and maturation takes place in the humid air filtered by the mountains.
In addition to bourbon barrels, a diverse range of casks is used for aging, including new barrels, rich casks, various sherry casks, and Mizunara oak barrels.
The distillery has been garnering attention, with its “Tamba Distillery Newborn Non-Peated Sherry Cask 19-Month Matured” winning the “Category Winner” award at the “World Whisky Awards 2024.”
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| 2004 | Obtained a license to produce single-distilled shochu and began distillation on the Tamba factory premises. Production of authentic shochu began using a single stainless-steel pot still. |
| 2006 | The company name was changed to Kizakura Co., Ltd. |
| 2018 | Obtained a whisky production license. Began production. |
| 2021 | Launched Kizakura Craft Gin “Hanamonogatari.” Installed two Forsyth stills and began full-scale whisky production. |
| 2024 | Launched Kizakura Single Malt whisky “Tamba” and Kizakura Blended Malt whisky “Sakura Chronos.” |
Please also see the information on the Kizakura Tamba Distillery below.
7. Summary
You’ll detect a subtle smokiness and earthy nuances characteristic of bourbon cask aging. However, the resinous fruitiness fully embodies the distinctive character of the Tamba Distillery.
It can be said that Tamba Distillery has already established the foundation for the “Tamba” whisky flavor profile through the introduction of Forsyth pot stills, the use of a diverse range of casks, and the production of base spirits that leverage fermentation techniques unique to sake brewing.
Even as a single cask, the bottle price of 13,200 yen (tax included) makes it quite affordable for a Japanese single cask.
We hope you’ll enjoy this limited-edition flavor.
■ Be sure to check out our other articles on “Kizakura Tamba Distillery.”
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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.
