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.

• Spring: Sakura flower (cherry blossom) and Sakura leaf
• Summer: Sencha tea and Gyokuro tea
• Autumn: Sansho pepper
• Winter: Yuzu peel

• Fill a highball glass to the brim with ice cubes.
• Pour in 1 part Roku Gin and 3 parts premium tonic water.
• Garnish with 6 thinly sliced matchsticks of fresh ginger to complement the spicy Sansho pepper notes.

Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt is a premium Japanese blended malt whisky produced by Nikka Whisky. Named in honor of Masataka Taketsuru, the recognized "Father of Japanese Whisky," this 100% malted barley expression is famous for containing absolutely no grain whisky. Instead, it masterfully blends distinct single malts from two contrasting distilleries to achieve exceptional smoothness and depth.

• Distillery Blend: Combines the bold, smoky, and peated malts of the coastal Yoichi Distillery with the elegant, fruit-forward, and floral malts of the Miyagikyo Distillery.
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 43%.
• Cask Maturation: Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry casks, and remade casks, allowing the wood to support the natural malt profile without overwhelming it.
• Awards: Highly acclaimed globally, including winning "World's Best Blended Malt" at the World Whiskies Awards.

• Aroma: A fragrant nose featuring fresh apples, apricots, bittersweet fruits, vanilla, and toasted oak.
• Palate: Highly approachable and silky smooth. It leads with sweet, fruity notes of banana, pear, and orange, layered over a rich malt backbone.
• Finish: A medium, balanced finish that transitions into dark chocolate, mellow oak, and a lingering, delicate hint of peat smoke.

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Cosmo from Mars Maltage is a blended malt that includes whisky from Shinshu in Japan. A big hit when released at the 2015 Tokyo International Bar Show, this is a permanent addition to the fledgling distillery's range.

NOSE : Vanilla and walnuts with layers of fruit: cherry and raspberry, pear and apple.

PALATE: Citrus oil leads, followed by fleshy oranges, chocolate and oaky spices.

FINISH: Fresh plums and red grapes with chocolate lingering.

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Nikka from the Barrel is big-boned and bursting with character. Not averse to a drop of water, either. A real star, winning top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards in 2007 and 2010. Japanese whisky producer Nikka was founded in 1934 and has become Japan's second largest distiller, producing a large range of single malts and blended whiskies between its two distilleries - Yoichi and Miyagikyo.

NOSE: Spicy and peppery, but there’s a richness behind it, with spicy oak and soft orange fruitiness, and soft vanilla notes from the bourbon cask.

PALATE: Grainy sweetness and candied orange peel, quite rich, accompanied by rich cinnamon and clove.

FINISH: Great balance, this really needs a little water to allow the flavours to unfurl.

COMMENT: Characterful stuff, this whisky has plenty of personality, and shows a delightful balance between the spicy pepperiness and rich citrus fruit.

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"Situated between the north and south Japanese alps, Mars Shinshu is Japan’s highest whisky distillery, at nearly 800 meters. The Hombo family have been distilling for more than a century and they added whisky to their repertoire in 1949 in Kagoshima. That was the southernmost whisky made in Japan until 1984, when all whisky production was moved to the current location in Nagano. Kiichiro Iwai, the name sake for this Mars Whisky, was a silent pioneer of Japan whisky. This whisky is inspired by great whiskies of America. A majority of corn balanced with light malt aged in ex bourbon barrels. Ideal for daily sipping, in a mint julep or an old fashioned.

NOSE: Some vanilla toasted oak notes, a touch of melon

TASTE: Vanilla pound cake and lychee.

FINISH: Sweet with fruit flavors like pear, quince and hints of red fruits and vanilla.

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