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It is no wonder that the Whiskey Advocate placed the Iwai 45 on their Top 20 Whiskies of 2020, just a couple months back. Coming in at number 19 and scoring 91 points, it was one of the most affordable (and obtainable) options on the list.

In the glass the top notes are of cereal grain, vanilla and honey. Poured neat in my glass at 45% abv I am adding no water and on the palate, I am immediately impressed by the round mouthfeel that yields to baked pear and warming spices. Layered through this exciting Japanese offering are notes of lemon peel and hints of marzipan mingling with American Oak.

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It is no wonder that the Whiskey Advocate placed the Iwai 45 on their Top 20 Whiskies of 2020, just a couple months back. Coming in at number 19 and scoring 91 points, it was one of the most affordable (and obtainable) options on the list.

In the glass the top notes are of cereal grain, vanilla and honey. Poured neat in my glass at 45% abv I am adding no water and on the palate, I am immediately impressed by the round mouthfeel that yields to baked pear and warming spices. Layered through this exciting Japanese offering are notes of lemon peel and hints of marzipan mingling with American Oak.

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From the importer: This single malt whisky exemplifies the Mars approach to experimentation, taking full advantage of Japan’s vast and varying terrain by distilling in Nagano, 2,625 feet above sea level, then transporting the whisky south for aging in Yakushima, an island 60 km off the Kagoshima mainland. Distilled in 2015 and 2016, this non-chill filtered, lightly peated single malt has aged for just over 3–4 years in primarily ex-bourbon barrels and some sherry casks. Juicy citrus on the nose gives way to vanilla custard on the palate with hints of peat; fresh orange and lemon resurface on the bright finish. 53% ABV Learn More

Oka is made at Tsutsumi Distillery in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan. It uses a base of 100% rice neutral spirit and is blended with botanicals that include both Macedonian and Himalayan juniper, seasonal Japanese citrus like yuzu, mandarin and sudachi, and young ginger. It is distilled six times and proofed at 43% ABV.

Tasting Note:
Bold citrus aromas of yuzu and mandarin greet the nose, followed by piney juniper and hints of pepper. On the palate there is spicy ginger root, clean rice sweetness, and vibrant lime zest, balanced by deeper juniper tones and a touch of herbal spice. The finish is clean, with lingering citrus and spice, and a smooth gently sweet rice base.

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From the Producer: Designed to be an approachable, sipping whisky, Akashi Whisky has a malty, citrusy characteristic complemented by hints of salinity due to its coastal location. This whisky is distilled from wheat, barley and rye with notes of subtle peat, aged in ex-bourbon, barley shochu, and sherry barrels. Flavors of vanilla and pine nuts delight on the palate, leading to a long, wheaty finish. An excellent introduction to the Japanese whisky category, for those looking for a segue into Scotch, or an everyday drinking dram. TASTING NOTES The nose is slightly fruity with hints of lemon, cherry, toffee, oats and sea air. The palate is perfectly clean & easy with a touch of peat on the finish. Excellent representation of a classic Japanese whisky flavor profile.

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Komasa Gin is produced by Komasa Jyozo in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, a distillery with roots going back to 1883 and strong ties to shōchū tradition. The gin is built on a rice shōchū base and uses local botanicals, especially the Sakurajima komikan, a very small mandarin orange grown in volcanic soils of Mt. Sakurajima, which give its fruit a unique sweetness and aroma.

Tasting Note:
The nose opens with bright tangerine and mandarin peel aromas, softened by floral hints of violet and a faint rice grain presence. On the palate the citrus carries through,  sweet orange notes mingle with juniper and coriander, balanced by mild herbal spice and a subtle earthiness. The finish is smooth and lingering, leaving citrus zest and spice echoes with just a touch of warming grain underneath.

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Rum Makugan is an artisanal, white rum crafted on Miyakojima island in Okinawa, Japan, by the Taragawa distillery. It is made from local sugarcane and coral-filtered water, featuring native yeast (MY17) fermentation, which gives it a, fresh, herbaceous, and fruity aromatic profile with hints of tropical fruit and a soft, mineral-rich finish.

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Silhouette is enjoyed straight or on the rocks; served with water (both cold and hot); served in a chu-hi (or shochu highball) mixed with soda and fruit juice; or served with oolong tea or matcha tea. Silhouette can also be a versatile base for low-alcohol cocktails.

iichiko Silhouette was awarded a Gold at the L.A International Spirits Competition and a Silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

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Don Fulano Blanco is a bright and colorful expression of highland agave. It’s fresh on the nose and yet profound with a beautiful elegance. There is harmony between a wide spectrum of aromas that only mature hillside agave offers; a myriad of delicate fruit notes is balanced by a light herbaceousness and a butterscotch oiliness. Reminiscent of damp red soil it opens the senses and awakens the appetite, it almost makes you want to chew it. A great aperitif or quintessence of a great cocktail. ?Producer Notes Learn More

This "All-World Blend" is the first of its kind. This build is primarily 10 year old Chichibu whisky blended with a selection of Scotch, Irish Whiskey, Canadian Rye & American Whiskey, aged in home country anywhere from 3 - 20 years, transferred to Chichibu and then aged again on sight for an additional 2-3 years. lchiro's Malt & Grain is blended to balance a heart of Japanese whisky complimented by the major whisk(e)y regions of the world. TASTING NOTES Nose: Apricot, Popcorn Toffee, Vanilla Cream, Meyer Lemon Zest Palate: Light Texture Notes of Toffee Roasted Chestnut Gingerbread, Vanilla & Black Pepper Finish: Medium-long with Honey & Black Pepper 46.5% ABV

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The Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak from the Kogei Collection is a limited release from the Yamazaki distillery, showcasing the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and creative whisky-making. Introduced in 2024, this expression emphasizes the concept of “kogei,” which refers to traditional Japanese artisanal work.

This single malt stands out due to the use of peated malt—a nod to Islay’s smoky style—combined with maturation in Spanish oak casks. The Spanish oak adds layers of depth, resulting in a whisky with flavors of dark mocha, raisins, and almonds. On the palate, the whisky has a velvety texture with rich, roasted cacao notes, while the finish is described as bittersweet, with hints of caramelized baking spices

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This is a special bottling released by the Shinshu Mars Distillery and is a vatting of malt from two distilleries, "Komagatake" and "Chichibu", which has been matured at Mars Shinshu Distillery in a variety of Bourbon Barrel, American White Oak and Sherry Oak for more than 5 years. In 2015, Mars Shinshu Distillery and Venture Whisky (Chichibu) Distillery began exchanging their new make spirit, which was subsequently matured in their respective locations. 10,918 Bottles were released. Nose: sweet maple syrup, oak spices and some notes of varnish along with plum and a hint of caramelised orange peel Palate: Sweet caramel, some brandy cake, cacao and nutmeg with a hint of smoke and spiciness Finish: Gentle tannins along with some black tea on the finish. With water, more caramel and toffee notes are evident along with oak spices. Learn More

Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky is a masterpiece of Japanese whisky, renowned for its deep complexity and refined balance. Crafted at Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, this long-aged expression is matured in a combination of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Mizunara oak casks, creating a rich and layered profile.

The nose reveals dark fruit, dried berries, and rich sherry notes, complemented by hints of chocolate, cinnamon, and Japanese incense. On the palate, velvety textures unfold with flavors of plum, caramelized nuts, and dark chocolate, balanced by subtle oak spice and a whisper of Mizunara’s signature sandalwood. The finish is long, smooth, and warming, leaving lingering notes of sweet spice, dried fruit, and elegant oak.

A true collector’s whisky, Yamazaki 18 embodies the artistry and tradition of Japanese whisky-making, offering a luxurious and unforgettable experience.

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From the importer: Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Shinshu distillery, opened a second distillery in Tsunuki, the birthplace of the Hombo family enterprise, in November of 2016. The climate at Tsunuki Distillery is drastically different from that of Mars Shinshu, as it sits at sea level and experiences higher humidity and large fluctuations in temperature. The goal of this new location was not necessarily to increase production, but to experiment with terroir. This bottling marks the very first single malt to be distilled at Tsunuki, produced between 2016 and 2017. Aged for just over three years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks, this rich single malt exudes the enticing sweetness of vanilla and maple on the nose, leading to a fruity, pastry palate of banana crepes and apple pie and a finish of citrus, pine nut, and cinnamon. Only 1,122 bottles were produced of this highly anticipated single release, bottled at 59% ABV. Learn More

Full-flavoured, rich. Initially, concentrated iris notes hint at the extreme intensity of the nose. It then develops aromas of malted barley, exotic fruit (banana), liquorice and camphor. Notes of burnt wood and ash progressively settle over the aromatic palette. Long after, white flowers and beeswax make an appearance.Firm, lively. Malted barley is at the heart of the palate, coated in herbaceous, liquorice, spiced (ginger, cinnamon) and chocolate tones. Very elegant, the mid-palate also delivers plenty of energy and as it draws to a close, fresh tobacco leaves and coconut intertwine to create a natural symphony of aromas.Long, soft. It evokes the scent of wilted roses. Fine tannins balance its tangy character (lemon, grapefruit). It lingers on notes of tobacco, spices (cardamom, ginger), toasted nuts and stewed fruits (apple, damson). The final nose reveals exotic notes (lychee).

This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that showcases the elegant style of Miyagikyo malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. This bottling has estery aromas generated by carefully selected yeast strains along with distinctive Sherry cask influence.

Awarded Gold Medal at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge.

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From the importer: It all started some three centuries ago when the first of Ichiro Akuto’s forefathers began making alcoholic beverages in Saitama Prefecture. His grandfather began making whisky in the mid-1940’s with Hanyu Distillery, whose focus on malt whiskies took off with the Japanese economic boom of the 1980s. However, when the bubble burst in the 1990s, so too did the first Japanese Whisky boom, leading Hanyu—like several other distillers—to shutter its doors. Ichiro saved his grandfather’s old inventory and subsequently released the Playing Card series. This collection, which debuted to a slow start in the early 2000s, is now considered unicorn whisky, the stuff of legend. With the success of the playing cards, Ichiro saw that the Japanese whisky revival was imminent and in 2008 he built his current distillery in Chichubu. Chichubu distillery is where Ichiro, a 21st-century whisky-maker, embraces the heritage and heart of the Scots, balanced by the precision of the Japanese and the shokunin philosophy. This limited edition of Ichiro’s beloved Malt & Grain blends Scotch, Canadian Rye, Bourbon, Irish Whiskey, and Ichiro’s own single malt. Once brought back to Japan, each whisk(e)y aged for 10+ years before vatting. The result is a supremely complex spirit spanning an age range of 10–40 years. This world blend is non-chill filtered with no added coloring. 48% ABV Learn More