Reviewing “YAMAZAKURA Single Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka PEATED 1st Wooden Washback” from Sasanokawa Shuzo.
As indicated in the product name, Asaka Distillery introduced Japanese-made Douglas fir (bay pine) wooden casks in 2019. This product is our first peated whisky made exclusively from spirit aged in these wooden casks.
１．Product Name and Photo
Single Malt Asaka Peated 1st Wooden Washback
Single Malt Japanese Whisky ASAKA Peated 1st Wooden Washback
 |
 |
 |
 |
２．Features
This Japanese single malt is made exclusively from Asaka original spirits distilled since 2020 using wooden fermentation vats.
This marks the first release of Asaka Peated single malt made exclusively in wooden washbacks, hence the name “1st Wooden Washback.”
Made with heavily peated malt at 50ppm phenol value.
Enjoy the complex, gorgeous aroma and smoky flavor unique to Asaka.
*Excerpt from the back of the label
2-1．Tasting Notes
| Fragrance | Wet straw, orange, smoked salmon marinated, pink pepper, a hint of maltiness |
| Flavor | Thick sea fog, disinfectant, milk caramel, lemon peel |
| Afterglow | Transitioning from a peaty sweetness to a dry, bitter flavor that lingers long |
2-2．Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 50% |
| By Alcohol Type | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Types of Barrels | Not for public release |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | 3,000 bottles |
| MSRP | ¥14,300 (tax included) |
| Release Date | October 2025 |
３．Awards
At this time, there are no awards.
４．Price
4-1．Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Single Malt Asaka Peated 1st Wooden Washback |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| MSRP | Tax included: ¥14,300 |
4-2．Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari could not be confirmed. (As of October 27, 2025)
4-3．Yahoo! Auctions winning bid price
The winning bid price on Yahoo! Auctions could not be confirmed. (As of October 27, 2025)
4-4．Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Sales on online shopping sites were confirmed to be mostly at the list price. (As of October 27, 2025)
4-5．Prices at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinai,” operated by this site, we offer small portions such as: One drink: 45ml – ¥4,290 30ml – ¥2,860 15ml – ¥1,430
５．What is Sasanokawa Shuzo?
Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Sasanokawa Shuzo has a history of over 250 years as a sake brewery. In 1946, it obtained a license to produce whisky and has continued releasing products such as the YAMAZAKURA series. In 2016, as part of its 250th anniversary celebrations, it established the Asaka Distillery.
Asaka Distillery is a distillery whose reputation continues to grow both domestically and internationally year after year. At the “WWA (World Whisky Awards) 2022,” its “Yamazakura Blended Malt Japanese Whisky Asaka Sherry Wood Reserve” won the World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky award in the Blended Malt Whisky category.
| Establishment | 1765 |
| Head Office Location | 1-178 Sasagawa, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture 963-0108 |
| Owned Distilleries | Asaka Distillery |
６．Asaka Distillery
| Location | 1-178 Sasagawa, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Commencement of Operations | 1946 (Old equipment), April 2016 (New equipment) Distillation resumed |
1765 (Meiwa 2) Operations commenced
1920 (Taisho 9) Yamaguchi Shuzoten Co., Ltd. Established
1932 (Showa 7) Yamazakura Shuzo Partnership Established
1946 (Showa 21) Obtained a license to manufacture whisky
1966 (Showa 41) Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd. established
1983 (Showa 58) Whisky Malt Storage Facility Completed
In 1998 (Heisei 10) Yamazakura Shuzo and Sasanokwa Shuzo merged, with Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd. as the surviving company.
In 2004 (Heisei 16) We took custody of whisky that had been stored by Toa Shuzo.
In 2005 (Heisei 17) Venture Whisky released Ichiro’s Malt. (The producer listed on the back label is Sasano River Distillery.)
2016 (Heisei 26) The Asaka Distillery commenced full-scale operations.
Yamazakura Shuzo, founded in 1710 (the 7th year of the Hoei era) south of Lake Inawashiro, relocated to Koriyama in 1765.
This Yamazakura Shuzo obtained a whisky distilling license in 1946, prompted by the increased demand for whisky under the national policy during the postwar American occupation.
The extreme difficulty in brewing sake due to rice shortages during and after the war, coupled with the influx of Western culture after the war, also became a factor in the pursuit of whisky production.
During Japan’s period of rapid economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s, Sasano River Distillery’s “Cherry whisky” gained popularity alongside Toa Distillery and Hombo Distillery, collectively known as “Cherry whisky of the North, Toa whisky of the East, and Mars whisky of the West.”
However, due to low growth and changing consumer preferences, the company faced difficult times. By 2003, Toa was also forced to withdraw from the busin Riess, and the barrels of aged sake from the Hanyu distillery were entrusted to Sasanokawa
This played a major role in the launch of Ichiro’s Malt, which would later achieve worldwide popularity.
Since the postwar period, whisky production has continued in small quantities. Currently, two types are used: a Scotch-style whisky and one made with malt imported from Kentucky.
Asaka Distillery is located within Sasanosawa, myury dating back to the Edo period. Production facilities were completed in late October 2016, and operations commenced with the cooperation of Chichibu Distillery’s Ichiro Futo.
Despite being a small distillery, the whisky distilled in its historic building has won multiple gold medals at the WWA, demonstrating the meticulous craftsmanship behind the product. Nowadays, they not only produce single malt but also sell world blended whiskies like “&4,” and have been steadily increasing their presence since the construction of their whisky distillery in early 2016, including organizing the Koriyama Whisky Collection.
The pot stills look splendid against the traditional white plaster walls.
 |
 |
 |
Image source：Asaka Distillery Official Facebook Page
For more information on Asaka Distillery, please see below.
7．Summary
The 2023 Peated has definitely changed in flavor, giving an impression of being lighter and cleaner.
Despite its peated character and relatively young age, this whisky is beautifully balanced, showcasing the signature citrus floral notes characteristic of Asaka.
When diluted with water, its sweetness becomes more pronounced, making it a bottle you can enjoy in various ways for a long time
■「Please also check out other articles about the Asaka 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.
