“YUZA 2023” was released in early May from the Yuza Distillery of Kinryu Co. in Yamagata Prefecture.
The First and Second editions released last year were cask strength, but this year’s YUZA 2023 was bottled at 51% alcohol by volume with water added to make it easier to drink straight.
Although the limited number of bottles has not been announced, it is expected that the number of bottles sold will be higher than that of the First and Second editions due to the fact that the bottling is watered-down.
1. Manufacturer
Kinryu Co.
| Establishment | April 1950 |
| Head office | 180-1, Kusakariyachi, Kuromori, Sakata, Yamagata 998-0111 |
| Owned distilleries | Yuza Distillery |
2. Distillery
Yuza Distillery
| Location of distillery | 20 Kakujita, Yoshide, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata 999-8302 |
| Start of operation | 2018 |
Kinryu Co., Ltd. opened its third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018.
Yuza-machi is blessed with fresh, clean air and water from the famous Mt. Chokaisan, which has been selected as one of the “100 best water towns” in Japan, and is ideal for producing top quality whisky.
The pot stills used are made by Forsyth, and five fermentation tanks are made of Canadian bay pine. The process and aging methods are also based on Scottish methods, with young whisky not being casked, and only whisky that has been fully matured to its satisfaction is produced, focusing only onsingle malts. Because we are a small distillery that cannot mass-produce whisky, we go to great lengths in every detail to produce the highest quality whisky with the utmost care.
Yuza Distillery Whisky Concept
“TLAS” conceptThe whisky produced at the Yuza Distillery is
Tiny
Lovely
Authentic
SupremeThe concept of the distillery is “TLAS”, which stands for the initials of the above.
The Yuza Distillery is a very small distillery for a whisky distillery, with a site area of approximately 4,550 square meters and a distillery area of approximately 620 square meters. The exterior of the distillery may look small and cute, but the whisky produced here is authentic and of the highest quality. It is a one-of-a-kind Japanese whisky that is produced using traditional methods, but with the Japanese spirit of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship).
Quote from Yuza’s official website
Image source: Yusa Distillery Facebook page
For more information on the Yuza Distillery, see also this article.
[clink url=https://en.jpwhisky.net/4109-2/2_tohoku-2/#2-2_Kinryu_Yuza_Distillery]
3. Product name and photo
YUZA 2023
YUZA 2023
 |  |
 |  |
4. Characteristics
“YUZA 2023” is a single malt Japanese whisky that can be considered the “origin” of Yuza Distillery’s house style.
The original whisky is carefully selected from those aged in bourbon casks and has a clean, fruity taste with a sweet, vanilla-like flavor.Enjoy it as a “staple” of the Yuza Distillery.Characteristics of aroma and taste: “Clean, sweet and fruity”Vanilla, honey, and fruity sweet aroma.The taste is smooth, refined and well-balanced with a fine, clean texture.Reference: New Products｜Yuza Distillery
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Fresh and sweet aroma of pear and apple, with a biscuit-like aroma. |
| Taste | Smooth on the tongue with vanilla sweetness, fresh sweetness of apple and some acidity |
| Aftertaste | Fresh and sweet, but also malty, with a gentle and long aftertaste |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 51% |
| By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | May 24, 2023 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | YUZA 2023 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | Tax included: 13,750 yen |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari are around 17,800 to 26,800 yen. (*As of May 24, 2023)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
We were unable to confirm the current listing on Yahoo! Auction. (*As of May 24, 2023)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We were unable to confirm any listings on mail-order sites. (*As of May 24, 2023)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45 ml: 4,290 yen, 30 ml: 2,860 yen, 15 ml: 1,430 yen.
7. Summary
The taste is similar to that of YUZA First Edition, and it is clear that it has evolved from the original. The water content was adjusted at bottling to 51% alcohol by volume, which gives the impression of increased freshness compared to the First Edition. The sweetness from the bourbon barrels combined with the freshness makes it easy to drink without any peculiarities. However, this does not mean that the flavor is thin, but rather that it has a certain amount of body, making it a bottle that can be enjoyed for its depth and variety. It is a very high quality whisky with a true “orthodox” impression. You can strongly feel Yuza Distillery’s “belief” and “craftsmanship”.
■Please check out other articles about Yuza 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.
