Sasakawa Pure Malt Japanese Whisky

Famous for helping Ichigo Akuto save and release the now legendary casks from the shuttered Hanyu Distillery, Sasanokawa have been making sake and distilling spirits themselves since the mid-18th Century and acquired their own license to make whisky in 1946. Since 2016 they have commissioned their micro Asaka distillery, nestled deep in the mountains of this part of north east Japan, exclusively to make the highest quality barley based whiskies. This single malt made and aged entirely on site is a blend of peated and unpeated malts aged in each aged for over five years in a variety of ex-Bourbon barrels with a small percentage also finished in ex-Sherry European Oak casks. Brought to proof with the ultra-pure waters of nearby Koriyama. We found notes that reminded us of ancho mole, fresh ginger, pink peppercorns. Manuka honey, white tea and cinnamon stick. An impeccably made whisky that takes a little time to open up wow is it worth the patience.