Review of Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Togouchi MISTY STILLMAN’S SELECTION released by SAKURAO B&D.Features, price, and how to purchase.
1. manufacturer
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co.
| Founded | 1918 |
| Head Office Location | 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-8602, Japan |
| Owned Distillery | Sakurao Distillery |
2. distillery information
2-1.SAKURAO DISTILLERY
| Address | 1-12-1, Sakurao 1-chome, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-8602, Japan |
| Commencement of operations | January 2018 |
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. in Hiroshima Prefecture is a long-established brewery established in 1918.
In fact, it has a deep history in whiskey making, having produced and sold malt whiskey from 1938 to 1989. The original distilled spirit at that time was stored in a warehouse in Togawachi that utilized a JR West Japan railroad exploratory tunnel.
In 2008, the company began selling Togawachi Whiskey, a blend of the original whiskey stored in the Togawachi storage facility and imported original whiskey. (Ninety percent is exported to Europe.)
In December 2017, as a 100th anniversary project, new equipment was installed to produce high quality single malt whiskey and a craft distillery “SAKURAO DISTILLERY” from Hiroshima was built. distillation started in January 2018.
| December 2017 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY construction completed. |
|---|---|
| October 2018 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTER opens |
| 2019 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY second phase construction (introduction of grain whiskey distillation equipment and new whiskey storage facility) |
| March 2021 | Company name changed to SAKURAO BREWERY AND DISTILLERY Co. |
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2₋2. Togouchi Ageing Warehouse
The temperature in the tunnel of the lushly green Togawachi storage facility is kept cool regardless of the season, and the temperature is low and humid throughout the year. The speed of aging is also slow, and the alcohol content in some of the barrels drops as if watered down by the humidity. The distilled sake at the Sakurao Distillery is matured in the Togouchi Matured House to create different types of sake.
Togawachi in Aki Ota Town is a place of outstanding beauty and colorful scenery with rich forests and clear streams, including Mount Ohorahan, the highest mountain in the prefecture, Mount Fukairiyama, and Sandankyo, a special national scenic beauty spot. Tucked away in such a mountainous area, the Togawachi storage facility makes use of a tunnel that was once used for railroad purposes. In the dark storage cellar, where the temperature remains cool throughout the four seasons, malt distilled at SAKURAO DISTILLERY quietly matures in barrels that have absorbed the fragrance of fresh greenery.
Reference: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI | SAKURAO DISTILLERY
For more information about the distillery, please click here.
https://jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/sakukrao/
3. pictures of the bottles and the website where you can buy them
Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Togawachi MISTY STILLMAN’S SELECTION
Single Malt Japanese Whisky TOGOUCHI MIASTY STILLMAN’S SELECTION
4. single malt japanese whiskey tokawachi MISTY STILLMAN’S SELECTION features
Matured in casks covered with fog
Whisky that captivates the nature of TogouchiDeep in the mountains, the whisky is matured in the Togawachi Tunnel, where a fantastic mist hangs in the air. The hoops are rusted to the point of breaking, and the whisky matured in this harsh environment for the barrels has a unique flavor and aroma. We have chosen to leave the flavors to the environment of Togouchi. The new challenge of leaving everything to the natural environment was like being in a tunnel with no end in sight. At times, we had discussions with whisky lovers about the future of whisky production. In the fog-filled Togawachi Tunnel, we found a whiskey cask that seemed to embody the environment of Togawachi, with its brightness and fragrance. Whiskey that would make whiskey connoisseurs look at each other in amazement. It has a depth of flavor and a lingering aftertaste as if it had been aged for a decade or more, and an ethereal aroma of bananas, apples, and melons with nuances of New Pot. Togawachi MISTY, a single malt Japanese whiskey matured in the unique environment of the Togawachi Tunnel, brings you a whiskey that symbolizes the environment of Togawachi.
- Color: Light amber
- Aroma: Banana, orange, apple, young grass
- Taste: apple pie, cream puff, jasmine tea
- Finish: Vanilla and fruit sweetness and refreshing aroma with a long refreshing aftertaste.
Reference: SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGAUCHI | SAKURAO DISTILLERY
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Nose | Sweet ginjo aroma, damp grass and flowers |
| Taste | Crème brûlée, aloe drink, lactic acidic richness and sweetness |
| Aftertaste | Long-lasting sweetness for cream, and a bluish flavor typical of Togouchi leaves the palate. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | Cask strength 48 |
| alcohol category | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks aged at least 3 years in the Togouchi Tunnel |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | May 2024 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. list price and online price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product Name | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Togouchi MISTY STILLMAN’S SELECTION |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
No resale price on Mercari has been confirmed at this time. (*As of 5/21/2024)
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
There are currently no confirmed successful bids on Yahoo! Auctions. (*As of 5/21/2024)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
No confirmed sales on any mail-order sites at this time. (*As of 5/21/2024)
6-5.Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45ml: 4,950 yen, 30ml: 3,300 yen, and 15ml: 1,650 yen.
7. Summary
The last STILLMAN’S SELECTION was released as Sakurao Sherry Cask, and this series, which has been on sale for the first time in two years, also has the unique character of Togochi’s matured tunnels. The Togouchi series is also available in highball cans, and there are now more and more opportunities to pick up a bottle. We hope you will enjoy this new release, which is different from the Blended series.
Please take a look at other articles about “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.
