New Products from Yuza Distillery in Yamagata Prefecture and Kinryu Co. with a Store in Gifu Prefecture Private Bottle of CLAUDE WHISKY “YUZA Single Cask Sherry Cask Finish 2023 for CLAUDE WHISKY” has been released.
The single cask was aged for more than three years in bourbon casks and then aged for eight months in Oloroso sherry casks.
“CLAUDE WHISKY” opened in October 2017 as Japan’s first store specializing in Japanese craft whisky, with the desire to deliver authentic craft whisky. The store owner carefully selects the origin of the original whisky and does not sell products of unknown origin or products made by makers who pose as Japanese whisky to mislead consumers. We are committed to handling only the “real thing” and are unparalleled in our commitment.
The owner of the store (Mr. Yuji Inoue), who has such passion and commitment, thinks “the world view of Japanese whisky.” It is very interesting, so why don’t you read it?
1. Manufacturer
Kinryu Corporation
| Established | April 1950 |
| Head office | 180-1, Kusakariyachi, Kuromori, Sakata, Yamagata 998-0111 |
| Owned distillery | Yuza distillery |
2. Distillery
Yuza Distillery
| Location of distillery | 20 Kakujita, Yoshide, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata 999-8302 |
| Start of operation | In 2018 |
Kinryu Co., Ltd. opened its third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018.
Yuza-machi is blessed with fresh, clean air and water from the famous Mt. Chokaisan, which has been selected as one of the “100 best water towns” in Japan, and is ideal for producing top quality whisky.
The pot stills used are made by Forsyth, and five fermentation tanks are made of Canadian bay pine. The process and aging methods are also based on Scottish methods, with young whisky not being casked, and only whisky that has been fully matured to its satisfaction is produced, focusing only on single malts. Because we are a small distillery that cannot mass-produce whisky, we go to great lengths in every detail to produce the highest quality whisky with the utmost care.
Yuza Distillery Whisky Concept
“TLAS” conceptThe whisky produced at the Yuza Distillery is
Tiny
Lovely
Authentic
SupremeThe concept of the distillery is “TLAS”, which stands for the initials of the above.
The Yuza Distillery is a very small distillery for a whisky distillery, with a site area of approximately 4,550 square meters and a distillery area of approximately 620 square meters. The exterior of the distillery may look small and cute, but the whisky produced here is authentic and of the highest quality. It is a one-of-a-kind Japanese whisky that is produced using traditional methods, but with the Japanese spirit of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship).
Quote from Yuza’s official website
For more information on the Yuza Distillery, see also this article.
[clink url=https://en.jpwhisky.net/4109-2/2_tohoku-2/#2-2_Kinryu_Yuza_Distillery]
3. Product name and photo
YUZA Single Cask Sherry Cask Finish 2023 for CLAUDE WHISKY
YUZA Single Cask Sherry Cask Finish 2023 for CLAUDE WHISKY
4. Characteristics
CLAUDE WHISKY exclusive single cask whisky with a sherry cask finish
Made from the original 2017 distillate, the first year of distillation. Aged in bourbon casks for at least 3 years, then aged for 8 months in Oloroso sherry casks. Mellow and fruity. The mellow aroma of sherry is clearly detectable just by smelling the aroma. The taste is floral and complex. Elegant and mellow, with a long aftertaste, this is an exquisite bottle that makes you want to drink it again right away.
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Sweet and mellow, with a pleasant sherry aroma and a hint of vanilla in between. |
| Taste | Round, elegant sweetness, strawberry jam margarine, vanilla |
| Aftertaste | Floral and floral aroma continues. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 55% |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks, sherry butts (Oloroso sherry), etc. |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 22,000 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | April 2023 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | YUZA Single Cask Sherry Cask Finish 2023 for CLAUDE WHISKY |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | Including tax: 22,000 yen |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
No resale on Mercari can be confirmed at this time. (As of April 26, 2023)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auction
Currently no confirmed listings on Yahoo! Auctions. (As of April 26, 2023)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Sales cannot be confirmed at any of these sales sites. (As of April 26, 2023)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45ml: 6,270 yen, 30ml: 4,180 yen, 15ml: 2,090 yen.
7. Summary
Yuza Distillery released its first and second editions last year.
This March, “YUZA medium peated 2023” was released exclusively at Isetan Mitsukoshi; it was a single cask using one carefully selected cask of bourbon cask-aged peated distilled in the first year of 2019.
We have a feeling that we will gradually see more PBs with limited sales destinations.
The sherry cask in this release is gorgeous, complex, and mellow. It has a smooth and not too heavy mouthfeel that does not make you feel the 55% alcohol content, but it is a whisky that you can fully immerse yourself in the lingering aftertaste.
■Please check out our other articles about “Yuza Distillery”.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/10/18/yuza_second_edition_2022-2/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/02/25/yuza_first_edition_2022-2/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
