A limited-edition release from the Yuza Distillery in Yamagata Prefecture.
Here’s a review of a single malt Japanese whisky aged in Mizunara oak barrels.
Yuza Distillery currently releases a special-edition whisky officially once a year.
The previous release was “Yuza 6 Years,” and before that, they released “Spring in Japan”—a name quite similar to this latest product.
1. Photos of the bottle and label
YUZA Single Malt Japanese Whisky Fairy in Summer
YUZA Single Malt Japanese Whisky Fairy in Summer
2. YUZA Single Malt Japanese Whisky Fairy in Summer
In early July 2026, we will release the single malt Japanese whisky “Fairy in Summer.”
We are pleased to present “Fairy in Summer” from the Yuza Distillery.
Made with rare spirit aged in Mizunara oak barrels, this whisky features sweet, caramel-like notes at the forefront, resulting in a smooth and complex palate.
Fruity and floral ester aromas create an elegant harmony, giving way to a refreshing finish that quietly lingers.Please savor the delicate and graceful balance that evokes the delicate beauty of the “summer fairy”—the Choukai Fusuma flower—blooming on Mount Choukai.
Source: Yuza Distillery Official Website
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Flower nectar, fully ripe peaches, caramelized pears, candied peel |
| Taste | Firm caramel pudding, Wasanbon sugar dried sweets, the tartness of honeyed apples |
| Finish | A long finish featuring a toasty, sweet aroma with hints of roasted notes, accompanied by a gentle, woody acidity |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 55% |
| Category | Single Malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask Type | Mizunara, etc. |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | Limited Quantity |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release Date | July 2025 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received to date.
4. List Price and Online Prices
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | YUZA Single Malt Japanese Whisky Fairy in Summer |
| Content Capacity | 700 ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
We were unable to confirm the resale price on Mercari at this time. (*As of July 2, 2026)
4-3. Winning Bid Prices on Yahoo! Auctions
We were unable to confirm the price on Yahoo! Auctions at this time. (As of July 2, 2026)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and Amazon
Sales are currently not available on online retailers such as Amazon. (As of July 2, 2026)
4-5. Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this website, we serve even small portions: 45 ml for 5,610 yen, 30 ml for 3,740 yen, and 15 ml for 1,870 yen .
5. Manufacturer
Kinryu Co., Ltd.
| Established | April 1950 |
| Headquarters Address | 180-1 Kusakariyachi, Kuromori, Sakata-City, Yamagata Prefecture 998-0111 |
| Distilleries Owned | Yuza Distillery |
6. Yuza Distillery
From here in Yamagata, we produce the highest-quality Japanese whisky that is admired around the world.
Kinryu Co., Ltd., which operates the Yuza Distillery, was founded in 1950 as a joint venture among nine sake brewers in Yamagata Prefecture. The company produces neutral spirits—commonly known as brewing alcohol—as well as Ko-rui shochu made using continuous distillation.
While Kinryu is Yamagata’s only dedicated shochu producer, in light of declining consumption of shochu and sake, as well as demographic challenges in Yamagata Prefecture, the company embarked on the whisky business as a new venture for the future.
This is the third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region, established by Kinryu Co., Ltd. in Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, in 2018.
Blessed with fresh, clear air and groundwater from the renowned Mount Choukai—selected as one of Japan’s “100 Best Water Towns”— Yuza Town is an ideal location for producing the highest quality whisky.
The pot stills used are manufactured by Forsyth, and the five fermentation tanks are made of Canadian white pine. The distillation and aging methods follow Scottish traditions; young whisky is not released directly from the cask, and the distillery focuses exclusively on producing single malt whisky, releasing only those that have been aged to perfection.Precisely because we are a small distillery incapable of mass production, we spare no effort in attending to every detail, crafting the highest-quality whisky imbued with our dedication.
Yuza Distillery Whisky’s
Concept “TLAS”The whisky produced at Yuza Distillery is
Tiny (tiny)
Lovely
Authentic (genuine)
Supreme (the best)
The concept is “TLAS,” an acronym formed from the initials of these words.Yuza Distillery is a very small-scale whisky distillery, with a site area of approximately 4,550 square meters and a distillery floor area of about 620 square meters. While its exterior may appear small and cute, we aim to produce authentic, top-quality whisky.Using traditional methods while maintaining a commitment to the Japanese spirit of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship), we produce a Japanese whisky that is truly one of a kind in the world.
Quoted from the official Yuza Distillery website
Image source:Yuza Distillery official website
| Location | 20 Kakujida, Yoshide, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata Prefecture 999-8302 |
| Start of Operations | 2018 |
For more information on Yuza Distillery, please see this article.
7. Summary
While using rare, unblended spirit aged in Mizunara oak barrels, this whisky offers the sweet, charming, and estery flavor characteristic of Yuza.
When diluted with water, the fresh acidity and sweetness come through beautifully, resulting in a very fruity profile.
Mizunara was also used in YUZA Third, but that version had a slightly more robust sweetness and a profile that made it more of a winter drink.
This new YUZA captivates with a summer-appropriate balance, featuring a light, transparent sweetness and refreshing acidity that really stand out.
This is a highly polished expression that blends the delicate, clean character for which Yuza Distillery is known with the uniquely Japanese character of Mizunara oak barrels. As it is available in limited quantities, this is a bottle we highly recommend not only to Yuza fans but also to anyone seeking a fruity and elegant Japanese whisky.
Be sure to check out our other articles on “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.
