Sakurao Japanese Dry Gin – 70 cl

Marvellously refreshing gin all the way from Japan! Produced by Chugoku Jozo at its Sakurao distillery, Sakurao Japanese Dry Gin is made with a selection of local botanicals including yuzu, Japanese cypress, oyster shell and cherry blossom, alongside some traditional important ingredients like juniper and coriander.

Tasting Note: Oily juniper, vegetal freshness, citrus peels with a touch of jammy orange, white pepper and a hint of vanilla.

Produced from pure rice.

Remaining rice proportion after polishing: 55%

Variety of rice: Hattan Nishiki A rather long low-temperature fermentation process using a very specific kind of yeast (Hiroshima Ginjo)

Service temperature: chilled - 4°C

Sashimis, fish roe – omelet and other egg dishes – Fruit sorbets

NOSE: Gentle / Apple, pear

TASTE: Heady and fresh – Cereal;

Finish: Delicate and refreshing – Cereal, grassy notes

A vibrant addition to the Nikka range, Nikka Days is a bright and vivacious blend of malt and grain whiskies from both Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Its medium body hosts an array of floral and zesty flavours which mingle effortlessly with an underlying vanilla-toffee depth and a light, distant touch of breezy peat smoke.

A fresh and delicate whisky, Days makes a delicious sipping dram or sits beautifully in a refreshing highball.

NOSE: Apples, pears and strawberry liquorice. Perfumed notes of daiginjo sake and white melon. Grainy flavours develop, with freshly crushed barley and malting floor sweetness floating out of the glass. White chocolate and a sprinkling of lemon zest sit at the back.

PALATE: Creamy and soft, with grapes and apples on top of toffee and candied lemon. Delicate white chocolate notes are joined by darker liquorice hints and a tiny touch of barrel char smokiness. Right at the back is a bowl of apples, freshly peeled and sliced.

FINISH: Lemon zest and buttery biscuits. Barley sugar sweetness to leave grain and spice.

COMMENT: Delicate and fragrant at first, with more weight hiding behind. A great all-rounder with enough complexity to sip and enough oomph to shine in a mixed drink.

Find this and more exceptional selections at Kaasak.

A famous old brand of Japanese whisky. Nikka Super is made with a high proportion of malt whiskies from Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.

The flavour profile is classically Japanese in style with herbal, spicy notes along with sweet citrus fruits and a subtle maltiness. 

World Whiskies Awards: Best Japanese Blended No Age 2013 Best Japanese Blended No Age 2015

Taste: Soft and juicy with lemongrass, honey, ripe citrus and spicy oak flavours.

Nose: Dried herbs, incense, roasted spices, sweet citrus and melon.

Colour: Deep reddish bronze.

Find this and more exceptional selections at Kaasak.