The 2025 World Whiskies Awards shine a bright light on Japan. The judges honored six single malts. Each whisky stands out for different reasons. Some are heavy on peat. Others explore rare casks. One was crafted alongside a famed game. From longstanding breweries and bold newcomers, Japan’s whisky scene shows a remarkable range.
This article takes you through each winner. We explore how it was made, where it comes from, who made it, its proof, its cask history, and how to find it. Let’s take a look at the Gold Medal-winning Japanese single malts from the World Whiskies Awards 2025.
Mars Tsunuki 2024 Edition
Award: Best Japanese Single Malt – Category Winner
Tasting Notes: “Dried leafy nuance and a broth-like flavour. A rich, well-balanced palate of caramel, smoke, persimmon, stewed fruit, hardwood.”
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BUY NOW: $110
The Mars Tsunuki 2024 Edition comes from the Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is owned by Hombo Shuzo, a company that also operates the Shinshu Distillery in Nagano. Tsunuki is the newer site. It opened in 2016 and sits in a subtropical climate. Summers are hot. Winters are cold. This environment speeds up maturation and creates a rich, layered spirit.
The 2024 Edition is made from 100% malted barley. A portion of that barley is lightly peated. The whisky matures in a combination of bourbon barrels and sherry casks. The mix adds depth and character without overpowering the malt.
Production is entirely on-site. The team uses traditional pot stills and takes advantage of Tsunuki’s dramatic seasonal changes. The whisky is bottled non-chill filtered at 50% ABV, which helps preserve its body and natural flavors.
Bottles were first released in Japan through a lottery system. Some stock reached export markets, but allocations were small. It can be found in select retailers in the U.S., parts of Europe, and Asia.
World Whiskey Society Japanese Single Malt (Bourbon & Port Ruby Cask Finish)
Award: Gold
Tasting Notes: Wine-soaked ripe pear, crème brûlée, golden raisin, baking spices, umami, malt, brown bread, salted caramel
BUY NOW: $120
This release is a collaboration between the World Whiskey Society and Chip Tate, the founder of Balcones. It was distilled in Japan using 100% Australian malted barley. After its initial maturation, it underwent a double cask finish in ex-bourbon barrels and ruby Port casks. The process added layers of fruit and oak influence to the malt.
The run was small. Only around 620 were produced. That makes it one of the rarest whiskies in this year’s lineup. Bottling strength is 51% ABV.
The World Whiskey Society is based in New York and specializes in limited, high-end releases from around the globe. This bottling is part of their approach to combining distinct regional styles. By pairing Japanese distillation with an American craft influence, they created a whisky that bridges two traditions.
Most bottles were sold in the United States through the World Whiskey Society’s membership program and online shop.
Saburomaru “Shin Megami Tensei V: Type Lucifer”
Award: Gold
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available
BUY NOW: Extremely Limited
This limited edition comes from the Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama Prefecture. The distillery is operated by Wakatsuru Shuzo, which has been making whisky since 1952. Saburomaru is known for producing smoky, heavily peated styles in small batches.
The whisky was distilled in 2021 using heavily peated malt sourced from Islay. It matured in a single Oloroso sherry butt made from Spanish oak. The single cask format means every drop came from that one barrel. Bottling strength is 50% ABV.
The release was a collaboration with the video game Shin Megami Tensei V. The label features the character Lucifer, and the theme aligns with the whisky’s bold, dark profile. Only 250 bottles were produced.
All bottles were sold in Japan through an online lottery. There was no official export. A few bottles have surfaced in the secondary market, but they are rare outside Japan.
Hinomaru Whisky “Signature 1823”
Award: Gold
Tasting Notes: “Golden apple and grain on the nose give way to peach and gingerbread on the palate, with a delicate, lightly spiced finish that lingers with warmth and balance.” – Bartender Spirits Awards 2025
BUY NOW: N/A
Hinomaru Whisky is made by Kiuchi Brewery at the Yasato Distillery in Ibaraki Prefecture. Kiuchi has been brewing sake and beer for two centuries. The Signature 1823 release celebrates the year of Hinomaru’s founding. It represents Kiuchi’s commitment to bringing its brewing expertise into whisky making.
The whisky is a true single malt distilled entirely on-site. It includes a portion of locally grown barley from the Hitachino area. Maturation takes place in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and rum casks. The variety of casks adds layers of character to the final blend. Bottling strength is 48% ABV.
Kiuchi produces whisky in small quantities compared to Japan’s largest distillers. The brand focuses on craftsmanship and Japanese identity. The Signature 1823 is part of their core range and is available year-round.
In Japan, it is sold through the Hinomaru online shop and selected retailers. The distillery has been expanding exports. It can now be found in the U.S., the UK, parts of Europe, and Asia through specialist importers…if you look hard enough.
Akkeshi “Hakuro”
Award: Gold
Tasting Notes: “A nose of sandalwood accompanied by honey, freshly baked bread, and pastry cream leads to a rich and smoky palate of persimmon, bittersweet chocolate, and black tea” – Skurnik
BUY NOW: $255
Akkeshi Distillery is located on the coast of eastern Hokkaido. The area’s cool, damp climate is often compared to Scotland’s Islay region. Akkeshi is known for combining a smoky, peated style with the influence of Japanese Mizunara oak.
Hakuro is part of the distillery’s 24 Solar Terms series. Each release in the series is named after a traditional Japanese seasonal marker. Hakuro means “White Dew” and represents early autumn. The whisky is matured mainly in Mizunara casks, with ex-bourbon and sherry casks used for additional complexity. It is bottled at 55% ABV.
The distillery uses a mix of imported and locally grown barley. Peat is sourced from the surrounding wetlands, giving the whisky its coastal smoke character. Akkeshi produces in small batches, with each release in the series being a one-off.
Hakuro was sold in Japan through allocation. Some bottles reached the U.S., the UK, Europe, and Asia through specialist distributors, but quantities were small, so this one might cost you a pretty penny on the secondary market.
