Shizuoka United S 2023 Winter

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Shizuika - Japan

Ex-Bourbon and Japanese Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

There are 3 stills in the Shizuoka distillery, which opened in October 2016. The first, W, is wood-fired, the second, K, is a still that was used in the legendary Karuizawa distillery, and the third, S, is a Scottish Forsyth still. This expression blends unpeated and peated malt distilled in the K and W stills, followed by a second distillation in the S still. The barley used is of Scottish and Japanese origin, but German beer malt is also used. Next comes maturation, which must have lasted around 5 years. The number of bottles produced is unknown. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Right away, juicy fruits, Comices pears, yellow apples, lychees, rice powder, talcum powder, steamed rice, tofu, cake dough, shortbread biscuits, a pinch of icing sugar, mint leaves, a dash of vanilla, lime zest, crushed almonds, very lightly roasted. On the palate, buttery biscuits, very diluted coconut milk, fried eggs, herbaceous notes, leeks, fennel, sunflower oil, squeezed citrus fruit, lively spices with white pepper and a few cloves. Very long, well controlled finish, charcoal in almond milk, lemon slices, walnut oil, soaked biscuits.

 

In Short, 

I found it very interesting, really original and typical. I often find that Japanese whisky isn't all that Japanese; it's more like Scotch whisky, but more balanced and smooth. Here, there's no doubt about it, it's definitely Japanese, it's really got an identity of its own that I really like. Unfortunately, this one is sold out, but similar products come out every year, the price is high, but acceptable. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                          Yoshida Kyodai - Kukaki Umi No Kanata

Shizuoka Pot Still K 100% Imported Barley

 

 

 

55,5°

Distillery : Shizuoka - Japan

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Quarter Casks, Ex-Sherry Hogsheads

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Pot Still

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

The Shizuoka distillery was founded in 2017 by Gaia Flow, an importer of Blackadder, Asta Morris and Mackmyra, among others. What's really exciting is that they have recovered the 3 stills from the legendary Karuizawa distillery, which was dismantled in 2011, as well as all the distilling equipment. In a way, we have a new Karuizawa in operation, and it seems that the resemblance between the two distillates is striking. This Pot Still, which we read is the first edition, was distilled in Karuizawa stills, which is why the initial K appears on the label. The barley used comes from Scotland, 45% is peated and the rest is unpeated. 3000 bottles have been put on sale. The peat content is not specified anywhere, but I estimate it to be around 25/30 ppm. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Well-balanced nose, mineral, limestone, quartz, slate, evanescent white fruits. Nice depth of iodine, damp peat that gives it breadth. Gypsum, chalk, jasper. A few hazelnuts. Rough cereals, corn, puffed rice, wheat germs. A hint of vanilla. Softer on the palate. The fruits are a little more present, the peat takes a back seat. Very measured spices, rice pudding. It's young, and it can be felt, even if it's well done. The finish is quite long and explosive, the minerality returns, it's rocky, pebbles in the river, stalactites. Vanilla bean, white chocolate with dried grapes.

 

In Short, 

This is a distillery with an enormous potential. The distillate is deeply original, very radical and typically Japanese. On the whole, it's very well made, very balanced and measured, with nothing standing out. However, it's very young, and you can feel it on the palate, and when I see the price, I wonder if they're not fooling us a bit, it's far too expensive in my opinion.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Brian Eno - 1/2