Japanese whisky continues to command attention on the world stage, as evidenced by the standout performances at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate exceptional craftsmanship, and this year’s gold medalists highlight the unique artistry and innovation behind some of Japan’s most revered distilleries.
In part one of this two-part exploration, we delve into the techniques, distinctive ingredients, and unique aging processes that define the gold medal-winning Japanese whiskies of 2024. From rare local ingredients to advanced aging environments, here is everything you need to know about the Gold Medal-Winning Japanese whiskies from this year’s World Whiskies Awards.
Shizuoka Pot Still W Pure Japanese Barley First Edition
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Small Batch Single Malt
Tasting Notes: No tasting notes available
BUY NOW: $299.99
This 100% Japanese barley single malt from Shizuoka Distillery was released as part of the ‘W’ series, made using “only Machine W distillation,” according to the brand website. This means that the whisky was distilled in a “woodfired” still, which is an increasingly rare distillation method around the world, as the process has become increasingly mechanized. It was also distilled using a single pot still, designating it “single wash still whisky.”
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The most notable thing about this expression, though, is that it was distilled from 100% Japanese barley. In Japan, barley may be imported from other countries (mostly from Scotland) for use in the making of Japanese whisky. However, this expression was distilled from barley grown exclusively in the Shizuoka Prefecture. The Shizuoka Distillery is committed to supporting Japanese-grown barley and has been using barley grown natively since it began production in 2016.
Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, this single malt Japanese whisky is a blend of approximately 48-month-old whiskies. Only 2,500 bottles were made available in Japan.
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 2024
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Blended Limited Release
Tasting Notes: Candied pineapple, fresh mint, a light ashy smoke that lasts in a beautiful long and powerful finish (via Uisuki)
BUY NOW: Not available
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In keeping with the elusive nature of Chichibu whiskies, Ichiro’s Malt & Grain 2024 has proven very difficult to find online.
Blended by Japanese whisky legend, and the man behind Chichibu Distillery, Ichiro Akuto, this whisky is a blend of malt and grain Japanese whiskies. An annual release, each component of the blend is carefully selected by Akuto. According to the label: “This whisky is blended by Ichiro Akuto, founder of The Chichibu Distillery. He travels to find casks to perfect his blend in addition to his Chichibu single malt.”
Chihibu Distillery was founded by Akuto in 2004. Akuto has distilling in his DNA, with his grandfather being the founder of the now-closed Hanyu Distillery. Hanyu produced the whisky that is now part of the iconic (and expensive) Hanyu Card Series, curated by Ichiro Akuto.
Fuji Single Blended Japanese Whisky
Medal: Gold, Category
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Pear tart, white flower honey, peach, apricot, orange liqueur,
BUY NOW: $52
This “single blended” whisky is a blend of both malt and grain whiskies from the Fuji Gotemba Distillery. Nestled in the foothills of Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji, the distillery attributes part of its success to the use of Mt. Fuji’s underground water, which is incredibly pure thanks to over 50 years of refinement.
The micro-climate that surrounds Fuji subjected the maturing barrels to dramatic temperature and humidity fluctuations, resulting in increased interaction between whisky and wood, and a deep, complex flavor profile.
On the Kirin website, Master Blender Jota Tanaka, says: “We paid close attention to the degree of maturation that changes over time, carefully selected the raw liquor barrels to maximize the characteristics of each raw liquor, and blended them in an exquisite balance so that the characteristics of the colorful raw liquors overlap in a multi-layered way and feel lively. We have created a work that is fruity, transparent, and “beautiful” without even a trace of immature aroma from the distillate.”
Mars The Y.A. #02
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Blended Malt
Tasting Notes: Bright fruity aroma, smoke, sea breeze
BUY NOW: $155
Mars The YA #02 Peated Japanese Whisky is an impressive expression from Hombo Shuzo’s Mars Whisky, showcasing the intricate qualities of Japanese peat. Crafted from spirits distilled at both the Shinshu Distillery in the Japanese Alps and the Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, the blended malt embodies regional contrasts in its flavor profile.
After initial aging in bourbon barrels, the blend undergoes a finishing period in the Yakushima Aging Cellar, situated on Yakushima Island, known for its lush, humid environment. This unique final maturation environment imparts a tropical nuance and a rich complexity to the whisky, highlighting Mars’ innovative use of diverse aging locations to bring out layered flavors.
Characteristically, Mars The YA #02 has a smoky, earthy profile intertwined with hints of tropical fruit and vanilla from the bourbon cask aging, creating a balanced blend of sweet and peaty notes. Peated to 15ppm, the peaty elements in this whisky are subtle yet distinctive, offering a refined smokiness.
Only 12,000 bottles of this expression were produced in 2023.
Mars Komagatake 9 Year Old Small Batch Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Small Batch Single Malt
Tasting Notes: No tasting notes available
BUY NOW: Not available
This extremely limited release comprises just 227 bottles and contains Japanese whiskies with impressive vintages. These 1992, 2011, 2012, and 2014 whiskies were blended to create an incredibly small batch release in 2023. Each single malt was aged in bourbon barrels and American white oak barrels and bottled at 50% ABV.
The whiskies were matured in the cool environment of Shinsu, which emulates that of Scotland at certain times of the year. This gentle aging has resulted in a smooth single malt whisky that is now extremely difficult to find anywhere in the world.
Mars Tsunuki Single Cask 6 Year Old No.T121 Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Single Cask Single Malt
Tasting Notes: Midori, custard, citrus, mint, sweet potato yokan, sweetness, acidity (jpwhisky.net)
BUY NOW: Not available
Another severely limited release from the Mars brand, this whisky was distilled at the Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, owned by Hombo Shuzo.
Mars Single Cask Tsunuki Aged 6 Years, Cask #T121, is produced by Mars at the Tsunuki Distillery, where production is heavily influenced by the area’s warm climate. Distilled in 2017, this expression is crafted from peated malt, giving it a distinctively smoky profile. The use of peated malt here results in a more restrained smokiness, at 3.5 ppm, compared to the bolder styles from other whisky regions, aligning with Japan’s nuanced approach to peat.
The whisky’s single-cask nature allows it to reflect the unique interaction between the peated malt, the bourbon cask used for aging, and the subtropical conditions of Tsunuki. The bourbon cask intensifies certain flavors, while the high humidity and warm temperatures accelerate aging, enhancing the complexity of the peat and other underlying characteristics. The process highlights Mars’ dedication to exploring how Japanese terroir and innovative techniques influence whisky.
Only 215 bottles of this whisky were produced. If you can find it, snatch it up while you can.
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