The latest release from Yamagata’s Yuza Distillery, YUZA Spring in Japan 2024, the latest single malt to be reviewed.
Unlike the previous edition series, this whisky is titled Spring in Japan. The bottle is a gorgeous cherry blossom color.
1. Manufacturer
Kinryu Co.
For a long time since its opening, the company has mainly manufactured shochu, and it was only in 2018 that it obtained a license to manufacture whiskey.
The company’s signature shochu product, Sou, has a diverse lineup, including one made with locally grown rice from Shonai and another blended with long-stored shochu.
Click here to see the lineup of Kinryu Co.
| Established | April 1950 |
| Head office location | 180-1, Kusakariyachi, Kuromori, Sakata-shi, Yamagata 998-0111 |
| Owned distilleries | Yuza distillery |
2. distillery
Yuza Distillery
Ltd. opened its third whisky distillery in the Tohoku region in Yuza-machi, Yamagata Prefecture in 2018.
Yuza-cho is blessed with fresh, clean air and water from Mt. Chokai, which has been selected as one of the “100 best water towns ” in Japan.
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 it is a small distillery that cannot mass-produce whisky, they go to great lengths in every detail to produce the highest quality whisky with the utmost care.
Yuza Distillery Whisky
TLAS” conceptThe whiskey produced at the Yuza distillery is the result of our efforts to create the highest quality whiskey,
Tiny
Lovely
Authentic
Supreme
The concept of the distillery is “TLAS”, which stands for the initials of the above.The Yuza Distillery is a very small distillery for a whiskey 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 whiskey produced here is authentic and of the highest quality. While using traditional production methods, the distillery also has a Japanese style of “monozukuri” (craftsmanship), which makes it a one-of-a-kind Japanese whiskey.
Quote from Yuza’s official website
Image credit:Yuza Distillery official website
| Location of Yuza Distillery | 20 Kakujita, Yoshide, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata 999-8302 |
| Start of operation | 2018 |
For more information about Yuza Distillery, please refer to this article.
3. product name and photo
YUZA Spring in Japan 2024
YUZA Spring in Japan 2024
4. Features
In early April 2024, YUZA Spring in Japan 2024, a single malt Japanese whiskey, will be released in limited quantities.
First-fill bourbon casks aged 4 to 5 years were carefully selected, and sherry casks were vatted as the key malt.
The sweet and gorgeous aroma spreads out as if spring is opening at once after a harsh winter in a snowy country. The smooth, fruity flavor is layered with richness and continues into a pleasant aftertaste.Please enjoy the evolved “Yuza distillery style” and the spring flavor.
Reference: Yuza Distillery product page
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Strawberry shortcake, honey, fresh red fruit aroma with added water. |
| Taste | Vanilla, strawberry-like sourness and sweetness, malt aroma, esthery, slightly green bitterness. |
| Aftertaste | Extended sweetness followed by a savory and bitter finish. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 55% (55% alcohol by volume) |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whiskey |
| Cask type | Bourbon and sherry casks |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unpublished |
| Suggested retail price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | April 2024 |
5. Awards received
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | YUZA Spring in Japan 2024 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,500 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
No resale on Merc ari has been confirmed at this time. (As of 3/28/2024)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
There are no confirmed resales on Yahoo! Auctions at this time. (As of 3/28/2024) 6-4.
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
The item is already listed and available for pre-order. (*As of 3/28/2024)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At BAR Shinkai, which is operated by this website, the company offers the product in small quantities, such as 45 ml: 5,610 yen, 30 ml: 3,740 yen, and 15 ml: 1,870 yen per glass .
7. Summary
The composition of the casks is the same as that of YUZA 2nd, but it seems to show more flamboyance. Since the distillery’s style has been established before, one of the charms of Yuza distillery is that you can only compare and enjoy the difference of casks and original sake.
Will the future releases be based on the theme of [season] from the previous edition series?
Please take a look at other articles about Yuza Distillery.
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.
