Shizuoka Pot Still W 100% Japanese Barley First Edition

Tasting note

Nose

Almonds, of that nice bitterness. Definitely also some earthy notes with lots of dark fruit. Not dry, but certainly not sweet either. Nicely balanced shall we call it. Rich aroma that positively impresses. hint of medicinal.

Taste

Lemons smouldering on a bbq on the beach. Lovely fresh smoke flavour with notes of ginger, vanilla, apple, cinnamon, smoke, and toasted sugar. What a special flavour. Our tasting panel is impressed.

Finish

Long, with again the cinnamon and ginger.

Extra information

This is the third edition in the W series. We previously had the Prologue W and the second in the Pot Still W series made with imported grain.

For this special edition, only barley malt from Japan is used. In addition, only Wash still W is used.

Not only is it a Single Malt Whisky, meaning it comes exclusively from one distillery, it also comes from one still. This is a unique method and is used exclusively at Shizuoka distillery for now. They call this Single Wash Still Whisky. This version is called the first edition, because now for the first time exclusively Japanese grain was used.

Shizuoka Distillery

Shizuoka Distillery is located at the foot of iconic Mount Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Founded in 2016 by Gaia Flow Co, the distillery has quickly attracted attention in the whisky world for its innovative approaches and high quality standards.

A unique feature of Shizuoka Distillery is its use of both new and historic distillation equipment. When it was founded, they bought stills from the closed Karuizawa Distillery, preserving a piece of Japanese whisky history. They also use modern pot stills, offering a unique blend of traditional and contemporary craftsmanship.

Shizuoka whiskies are produced with locally grown barley and pure mountain water, contributing to their refined and complex flavour profiles. The whiskies are matured in a variety of casks, including ex-bourbon, sherry and Japanese Mizunara oak casks, ensuring deep and rich flavours.

The combination of a beautiful location, innovative techniques and a strong commitment to quality makes Shizuoka Distillery an acclaimed name in the world of Japanese whisky.