Official release from the Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima Prefecture. The third edition of Stillman’s Selection is now available. Includes product information and reviews.
“Stillman’s Selection” is a popular series of releases to the Sakurao Distillery.
The first was SAKURAO SHERRY CASK, the second was TOGOUCHI MISTY, and the third was this Spanish Oak.
This time, it is a heavily peated Spanish oak-aged wine. How does it taste?
１．Photos of bottles and labels
Single Malt Sakurao Spanish Oak Stillman’s Selection
Single Malt SAKURAO Spanish Oak Stillman’s Selection
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２．Single Malt Sakurao Spanish Oak Stillman’s Selection Features
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co., Ltd. (1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture; President and CEO: Koichiro Shirai) will release “Single Malt Japanese Whisky Sakurao SPANISH OAK STILLMAN’S SELECTION” on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This whisky was matured in the Sakurao Warehouse and meticulously selected by Stillman.
SAKURAO DISTILLERY is blessed with the natural beauty of both sea and mountains. At the Sakurao Warehouse on the ocean side, the significant temperature difference between summer and winter accelerates maturation within barrels enveloped by the sea breeze. Furthermore, we use a variety of casks to mature diverse base spirits.
From the SHERRY CASK, which is matured in the hottest and coldest part of the Sakurao cellar, we found the original whisky with a mellow aroma and spicy aftertaste. Only the “SPANISH OAK” that caught the stillman’s eye was selected and bottled, and the “Single Malt Japanese whisky Sakurao SPANISH OAK STILLMAN’S SELECTION” will be available in limited quantities.《 What is Stillman’s Selection? 》
SAKURAO DISTILLERY is blessed by the nature of the sea and mountains, and the difference between the gentle sea breezes of the Seto Inland Sea in the Sakurao Distillery and the forests and clear streams in the bosom of the Chugoku Mountains in the Togouchi Distillery allows us to produce a variety of malt liquors. The stillman, who has inherited distilling techniques for more than 100 years and has tasted many different types of malt, has used his delicate sensibility to select the best malt wines. The aroma of gently rising, yet ethereal fruit aroma that spreads in the mouth is a characteristic of Stillman’s SAKURAO DISTILLERY. We are proud to present to you the unique flavor spun by Stillman’s beliefs and traditions.
■Tasting Notes
Color / Dark amber with a slight reddish hue
Nose / Smoky, dates, bitter chocolate
Taste / Dates, strawberries, subtle saltiness
Finish / Intense sweetness and a long finish with a refreshing peaty note
quote：SINGLE MALT JAPANESE WHISKY SAKURAO & TOGOUCHI｜SAKURAO DISTILLERY
２-１．Tasting Notes
| Fragrance | Salty peat, dried strawberries, sandy soil, high cocoa |
| Flavor | Smoked nuts, salted beans, dried figs, cinnamon, nutmeg |
| Afterglow | Peat aroma and salt flavor followed by a lingering spicy sweetness. |
２-２．Product Specs
| Alcohol content (usu. expressed per cent) | 50% |
| By Alcohol Type | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Types of Barrels | Spanish oak |
| Volume of content | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limit on quantity |
| MSRP | 16,500 yen (including tax) |
| Release Date | September 2025 |
３．Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
４．List price and online price
４-１．Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Trade (brand) name | Single Malt Sakurao Spanish Oak Stillman’s Selection |
| Volume of content | 700ml |
| MSRP | 16,500 yen (including tax) |
４-２．Resale prices on Mercari
Resale price on Mercari is around 25,000 yen. (*As of 9/25/2025)
４-３．Yahoo Auction Sold Price
Winning a bid on Yahoo! Auctions. Not confirmed at this time.The price of the exhibit is about 24,000 yen.(*as of 9/25/2025/)
４-４．Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We were unable to confirm that the product was on display at Rakuten or other online shopping sites. (*As of 9/25/2024)
４-５．Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass is offered at 45 ml: 4,950 yen, 30 ml: 3,300 yen, and 15 ml: 1,650 yen.
5．Manufacturer
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co.
| Establishment | 1918 |
| Headquarters Location | 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-8602, Japan |
| Distilleries owned | Sakurao Distillery |
6．Distillery
Sakurao Distillery（SAKURAO DISTILLERY）
| location | 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-8602, Japan |
| Commencement of Operations | January 2018 |
Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. in Hiroshima Prefecture is a long-established sake brewery established in 1918.
In fact, the company has a deep history of whisky making, having produced and sold malt whisky from 1938 to 1989.At that time, the distilled sake was stored in a warehouse in Togouchi that utilized the JR West’s exploratory tunnel for the railroad.
In 2008, the company began selling Togouchi whisky, made by blending the original whisky stored in the Togouchi warehouse with imported original whisky. (90% is exported to Europe.)
In December 2017, as a 100th anniversary project, new equipment was installed to produce high quality single malt whisky and a craft distillery “SAKURAO DISTILLERY” was built from Hiroshima. distillation started in January 2018.
Currently, the distillery sells three types of Whisky: “Single Malt Sakurao,” “Single Malt Togouchi,” and “Blended Whisky Togouchi,” which can be enjoyed at a price range only possible at a distillery that also produces grain.
Currently, “Sakurao Distillery Forest Site” is under construction on the former site of “Yoshiwa miwakunosato” in the same city. It will consist of a distillery building where visitors can observe the production process and a visitor’s building where a bar will be set up.
| December 2017 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY Completion |
|---|---|
| October 2018 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTER open |
| 2019 | SAKURAO DISTILLERY Second phase of construction（Installed grain Whisky distillation equipment and built a new Whisky storage facility） |
| March 2021 | Company name changed to Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co. |
Click here to read more about the Sakurao Distillery.↓
https://en.jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/sakurao_en/
７．Summary
A bottle of peated original wine aged in Spanish oak is extremely rare in Japan.
Its flavor is deep, sweet, spicy and peaty.
It is a combination that is sure to gain popularity.
We hope you will try it.
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.
