Kinryu Corporation, the owner of Yuza Distillery, was founded in 1950 and was a joint venture financed by nine local sake producers, initially to make neutral spirits. Over time, they began making and selling shochu. Overall consumption of shochu (and sake) has been declining for decades. To make up for that loss of market, the company decided to start producing whisky and established a brand new distillery in the town of Yuza. The first distillation took place in November 2018.

Yuza Distillery focuses on "Japanese whisky" and complies with "The Standards for Labeling Japanese Whisky." In fact, the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association has made a binding determination of what criteria a whisky must meet to be called Japanese whisky. Among other things, the entire process for distilling the whisky must take place at a distillery in Japan. This includes malting, fermentation and distillation. 

This Yuza First Edition 2022 is the first official bottling of this Japanese distillery; a collector's item. It is a blend of single malts aged for 3 years in bourbon casks, carefully selected from the casks filled from November 2018 to January of the following year and bottled at cask strength. The whisky gives off a fruity aroma, honey, vanilla and apricot with a silky texture and slight spiciness.

Tasting note

Colour

Gold.

Nose

In the nose, white grapes, orange peel and honey mingle.

Taste

Sweet apricots, a splash of vanilla and a creamy mouthfeel.

Finish

The finish is medium-long and fresh, with citrus, milk chocolate and a hint of mint.