Spirits

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: 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

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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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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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From the Producer: In Japanese, Roku translates as the number six. Inside every bottle of Roku Gin, you will find six very special botanicals that are sourced in Japan. These represent Suntory’s commitment to only use the best ingredients harvested from the best growing areas in Japan. Every aspect of Roku Gin is crafted by Japanese artisans with a centuries-old tradition of meticulous attention to detail. Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea (green tea), Gyokuro tea (refined green tea) and Sanshō pepper. Each botanical has been harvested at the peak of its season to extract the best flavour, and distilled to fully embody the blessings of nature.

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