Yoshida Denzai Distillery, which specializes in grain whisky, has launched a new 2-year-aged product that qualifies as “Straight Bourbon.”
While the distillery has previously released only small, limited quantities, this marks the long-awaited release of a full-sized bottle.
Aged in new oak barrels, its production method truly lives up to the name “Bourbon.” What kind of finish has it achieved?
1. Yoshida Denzai Distillery Single Grain Star-Delta 2Y
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The Respect for Technology Embodied in “Star-Delta”
“Star-Delta” derives from the “star-delta connection,” a wiring method used in transformers manufactured by Yoshida Denzai Kogyo.
Rather than simply adding elements like aroma, flavor, and finish, we’ve reworked them into a single cohesive framework. We designed this to be a spirit that reveals a more refined character the more you drink it, culminating in a light, crisp finish.
Additionally, the bottle features a unique aluminum cap designed in collaboration with Yoshida Denzai Kogyo’s Machining Department. We perform the laser marking in-house and pay meticulous attention to every detail—from the way the edges are rounded to the surface that touches your hand and how the cap fits your fingers when twisted—infusing the very act of opening and closing the bottle with the precision of craftsmanship.
The Second-Year Masterpiece, Expressed Through New-Barrel Aging
New oak barrels allow aromas and flavors to develop more readily, producing a well-defined taste even with relatively short maturation periods. The Yoshida Denzai Distillery recognized this characteristic and viewed the two-year maturation not only as the first step toward further aging but also as a finished product meant to be enjoyed right now.
We’re proudly presenting “Star-Delta 2Y” in a full 700ml bottle. Please enjoy the unique character of new-oak barrel aging and the full potential of grain whisky.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Sweet aromas rise to the nose, evoking the white pith of citrus fruits, a biscuit-like graininess, raisins, and black tea leaves. As time passes, notes of banana, vanilla, and bitter cocoa emerge. When water is added, the sweetness and a subtle floral quality expand.
Taste
A juicy sweetness spreads across the palate, gradually giving way to a gentle acidity and a rich bitterness that ties the whole profile together. You’ll detect a sweet-and-sour quality reminiscent of mandarin oranges, a hint of peppery spice, and a refreshing sensation reminiscent of mint.
1-2. Product Specifications
| Product Name | Yoshida Denzai Distillery Single Grain Star-Delta 2Y |
| Suggested Retail Price | 8,800 yen |
| Ingredients | 70% Hokkaido dent corn, 15% rye malt (imported), 15% malt (imported) |
| Barrels | New American white oak barrels |
| Alcohol Content | 51% |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles | Limited to 1,213 bottles |
| Sales Schedule | Lottery Sale: Application Period: Monday, August 24, 2026 – Friday, October 9, 2026 |
2. Manufacturer
2-1. Yoshida Denzai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
| Established | 1940 |
| Headquarters Address |
3-43-6 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0016 |
| Distilleries Owned | Yoshida Denzai Distillery |
2-2. Yoshiden Co., Ltd.
| Established | 2017 |
| Headquarters Address |
166-1 Shiozawa, Tainai‐City, Niigata Prefecture 959-2804 |
| Distilleries Owned | Yoshida Denzai Distillery |
2-3. Yoshida Denzai Distillery
| Location | 344-1 Yazuta, Murakami‐City, Niigata Prefecture 959-3435 |
| Start of Operations | April 2022 |
| Official Website | Yoshida Denzai Distillery Official Website |
Established by Yoshida Denzai Kogyo Co., Ltd.—which manufactures and sells electrical equipment, as well as manufactures, processes, and sells synthetic resins and medical devices—and its subsidiary, Yoshiden Co., Ltd. The facility utilizes the building of a previously acquired semiconductor factory, with a total floor area of approximately 1,090 square meters.
Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, is a region with short summers, extremely cold winters, and high humidity year-round.The former Asahi Village area is designated as a “Special Heavy Snowfall Zone,” while the rest of the city is designated as a “Heavy Snowfall Zone.” It also faces the Sea of Japan and is surrounded by mountainous areas—including the “Treasure Trove of Wild Mountain Vegetables” known as Nippon, as well as the Grape and Kaminari settlements—and is blessed with abundant spring water.
The Yoshida Denzai Distillery aims to produce honest, high-quality, meticulously crafted whisky using the technical expertise that has long supported Japanese manufacturers.
In addition to using German-made hybrid pot stills, the distillery possesses proprietary equipment that allows for the flexible blending of three types of grains during the raw material processing stage.
While dent corn is currently the main ingredient, the distillery also produces grain whisky using rice and buckwheat—ingredients unique to Japan—as well as grains that are local specialties.
The products we produce are grain whiskys.
We offer two types: “Loud Grain®,” a bold grain whisky that brings out the flavor of the grains, and “Small Batch Grain®,” a line of products that showcase various experimental approaches through small-batch production.
We also supply base spirits to domestic craft distilleries, providing the essential base spirits for “Japanese Blended whisky,” which is expected to grow in popularity in the future.
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.
