Shinobu 15 Yr Pure Malt Dragon Edition

Nikka Coffey Malt 45%

$94.99

Note: Nikka's own website notes that this bottle does not meet the criteria to be called a Japanese Whisky. The good news is that might mean it also contains Ben Nevis Single Malt, as the Ben Nevis Distillery is also owned by Nikka.

It is unusual to see single malt whisky distilled in a column (AKA continuous or Coffey) still, but here you have it and the result is superb. Formerly exclusive to KWM in Alberta, this is one hell of an interesting dram, soft, layered and very complex.

The sugar yield of malted barley compared with corn and wheat is not favourable, especially when you take the cost of malting and corn subsidies into account. So the Nikka Whisky Co. must have some other designs than simply creating bulk whisky by running barley through their Coffey stills. 

Hibiki Harmony

$154.99

*Currently Limited - 1 Per Customer Maximum*

The base of the whisky, Japanese single malts and grain, have been matured in American oak casks. The dressing is the more rare and complex Sherry and Mizunara (Japanese oak) notes. The single malts have been sourced from Hakushu and Yamazaki and the grain whiskies from Chita. This is the first Suntory whisky made available in Canada in more than 2 years. 

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: clean, floral and grainy with a touch of juicy malt; delicate fruits, melon and kiwi with lots of vanilla and subtle spices.

Palate: juicy, fruity and floral with toasty American oak and rich spices (Mizunara?); lots of fruits here, more melon and kiwi, silky grains and chewy malt mingle with orange peel and vanilla bean.

Finish: long, toasty and silky with fading fruits, spices and sugars.

Comment: Japanese blends never seem to disappoint, and this one is no exception. It is very elegant and complex. Hopefully we get more than promissed...

Distiller's Tasting Note

Nose: rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood.

Palate: honeylike sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate.

Finish: subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak).

Shinobu Lightly Peated Pure Malt Whisky

$99.99

This "lightly peated" Pure Malt (Blended Malt) whisky from Shinobu is made from Peatead single malt sourced from distilleries in the Highlands and Speyside of Scotland. It was blended in Japan and finished in Mizunara casks for 6 months before bottling at 43%. 

The fact that this "Japanese whisky" was made from Scottish malt, is not unusual...it falls into a category I call "Japaneseish"... and event the big guys have done it. It was well received at the Calgary Whisky Festival, so we figured we'd better give it a go!

Producer Description

"Shinobu Lightly Peated Pure Malt whisky and 10 Year Old are the first peated whiskies to be released by Shinobu distillery. Peated whisky was sourced from selected distilleries, Highland and Speyside regions, and carefully blended by the master blender. Finished in Mizunara wood for more than 6 months."

About Shinobu Whisky

"The Shinobu Distillery, in collaboration with Niigata Beer Distillery, is located in the Japanese seaside region of Niigata on the country’s western coast. The area is famous for its “Three White Treasures” - snow, rice, and sake, which have been cultivated there for centuries. Shinobu Pure Malt whiskies are crafted by master blender, Mr. Usami Ken who blends malts aged in sherry, bourbon, and Hogshead casks before finishing them in Japan’s unique and prized Mizunara Oak. Famous for imparting rich, honeyed flavors of apples, pears, cloves, and nutmeg, Mizunara Oak has been used in Japan since the 1930s and is now sought-after by whisky makers around the world. world. All Shinobu whiskies are created without chill-filtration or added color to protect and enhance their deeply complex and robust flavor."

Nikka The Grain Discovery Ed. 2023

$194.99

This special release of Nikka Grain Whisky was made from a combination of grains distilled at a combination of distilleries - all owned by Nikka. It is bottled at 48%.

Nikka has two Single Malt Distilleries in Japan - Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It also has a few different facilities that can make grain whisky. Nikka's Miyagikyo Distillery - under its founder Masataka Taketsuru - was the first place in Japan to have a Coffey/Continuous still installed, back in 1963.

Producer Description

"Nikka The Grain is composed of old Coffey grains (corn and malted barley) and Coffey malts (100% malted barley) from the now closed Nishinomiya distillery, as well as Coffey grains and Coffey malts from Miyagikyo. The finishing touches are added by Barley Grain (malted and unmalted barley) and Barley Grain and Corn & Rye (malted barley, corn, rye), all distilled in pot stills at the Moji and Satsumatsukasa distilleries, which originally specialized in Shochu production. Each spirit was carefully selected from these four sites. Bottled at 48% ABV, Nikka The Grain reveals a creamy texture and complex palette of complementary aromas."