YOIYO’s 13th release has been announced. Continuing from the previous issue, a different type of chocolate from [Asaka Distillery]. Sold by Lotte. Characteristics, price, and how to purchase.
“YOIYO Sake Ganache [Asaka Distillery],” the 13th in the “YOIYO” series, is now available from Lotte’s [Japanese craft sake chocolate].
The YOIYO series has previously collaborated with Mars Shinshu Distillery, Akkeshi Distillery, Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery, Mars Tsunuki Distillery, Sakurao Distillery, and Saburomaru Distillery, and this time, following the previous collaboration, it is from Asaka Distillery.
In addition, a limited quantity of “Yamazakura Single Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka YOIYO Edition”, which was used as a special blend for this chocolate last time, is now available.
1. What is “YOIYO”?
Get drunk on Japan, Chocolate.
There is a Japan you don’t know yet.
It is the taste of pure water, local ingredients, and traditional techniques.
We have packed carefully crafted sake into a single piece.
Enjoy it at dusk or after dinner as if you were going on a trip.
This is a chocolate for adults.
Have a good night, feeling a little tipsy.
“YOIYO” is a [Japanese craft sake chocolate] sold by Lotte Corporation, a chocolate containing alcohol like a so-called whisky bonbon. The main ingredient is Japanese whisky, and the greatness, persistence, and thoughts of the maker of the alcohol and the maker of the chocolate are packed into a single piece of chocolate.
The package design of each product is fashionable, printed with the regional scenery of each distillery and the distiller.
| Distillery name | Alcoholic beverage used | |
| The first release | Komagatake Distillery | Single Malt Komagatake |
| The second release | Komagatake Distillery | Single Malt Komagatake Yakushima Aging |
| The third release | Akkeshi Distillery | Akkeshi Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series Single Malt Boshu |
| The fourth release | Akkeshi Distillery | Akkeshi Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series Single Malt Ritto |
| The fifth release | Gaiaflow Distillery | Single cask W782 |
| The sixth release | Tsunuki Distillery | Single Malt Tsunuki |
| The seventh release | Sakurao Distillery | SAKURAO GIN LIMITED |
| The eighth release | Aoki The Sake Brewery | YUKIOTOKO Junmaishu |
| The ninth release | Akkeshi Distillery | Akkeshi Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series Single Malt Taisetsu |
| The tenth release | Akkeshi Distillery | Akkeshi Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series Single Malt Taisetsu |
| The eleventh release | Saburomaru Distillery | Single Cask Saburomaru |
| The twelfth release | Asaka Distillery | Single Malt Asaka |
For more information on past products, please visit the official website.
This time we introduce the 13th product “YOIYO Sake Ganache [Asaka Distillery]”.
2. 12th “YOIYO Sake Ganache [Asaka Distillery]”
| Product name | YOIYO Sake Ganache [Asaka Distillery] |
| Release date | November 21, 2023 |
| Sales price | 1,640 yen per piece (tax included) (excluding shipping costs) |
| Purchase page |
3. [Original whisky used] Characteristics of Yamazakura Single Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka YOIYO Edition
Image source: YOIYO/Japanese craft sake chocolate｜Mouth Lovers Lotte
Limited quantities of the limited edition whisky used in this YOIYO series of chocolates, “Yamazakura Single Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka YOIYO Edition”, are available for purchase!
Click here for purchase page
This limited edition whisky, a blend of five casks carefully selected for YOIYO, is made from bourbon-barreled, non peated Asaka sake.
The gentle, mellow flavor matured in a climate with extreme temperature differences has a light citrus acidity and a refreshing lemongrass-like aroma that is typical of Asaka sake. Enjoy the sweetness from the oak barrels, the malt flavor, and the short but firm aftertaste.
The nonchill filtered (non-cooled filtered), natural color (no coloring) finish is used.
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| Distinction by alcohol | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | September 12, 2023 |
4. Product Comment
4-1. YOIYO Sake Ganache [Asaka Distillery]
- Image Source: YOIYO/Japanese craft sake chocolate｜Mouth Lovers Lotte
- Image Source: YOIYO/Japanese craft sake chocolate｜Mouth Lovers Lotte
- Image Source: YOIYO/Japanese craft sake chocolate｜Mouth Lovers Lotte
I think whisky is a very difficult liquor for people who are not used to drinking it.
In such a situation, the ganache type in particular is very smooth and easy to eat, and since it is made by a confectionary maker, it tastes good as chocolate, so I felt that women and people who are not that strong drinkers can easily pick it up.
I would like to give them as gifts, and I would also like to have some for myself.
I would be happy if it would be an opportunity for people to discover how easy it is to drink Asaka whisky and how gorgeous it is.Mari Anzai, General Affairs Department, Sasanokawa Shuzo
Reference: Lotte’s official website
5. Products of Asaka Distillery
For more information about the products of Asaka Distillery, please click here↓.
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.
