Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has signed an exclusive distribution agreement to bring its Octave portfolio to Japan through independent retailer and importer Shinanoya. The partnership will officially launch at the Tokyo Whisky Festival at the International Forum in Chiyoda-ku on November 6 and 7.
The Huntly-based independent bottler has partnered with Shinanoya, a company whose roots date back to 1930, when it began as a local food and liquor store. Today, Shinanoya operates as a respected retailer, importer, and bottler, known among whisky connoisseurs for its rigorous private single-cask selections.
The company has earned four Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine, a landmark achievement for a Japanese whisky business.
What Will Whisky Look Like in 2027? Voices from Whisky Live Paris
READ THE STORYShinanoya runs a network of specialist wine and spirits boutiques across Tokyo and Yokohama, with flagship stores in prestigious areas including Ginza and Shinjuku.
The partnership will initially launch 14 casks across four series, with specially curated bottlings created exclusively for the deal. It includes the Shinanoya Series, a Laphroaig 2004, 22-year-old finished in an Oloroso cask. The release carries a prestigious chess motif label, signaling the highest-tier whisky releases.
Japan becomes the latest new market for Duncan Taylor since the relaunch of The Octave series, which now employs 40 people.
Trending Content
The announcement follows the recent UK launch of the company’s first Octave Mizunara oak cask finish, featuring a triple-cask Auchentoshan. The bottling sold out within just two weeks.
“This is a really important market for us, given the sheer scale and size of the Shinanoya network that they have built,” said Paul Wang, international sales manager at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky.
He added: “We’ve curated bottlings specially for this partnership, leaning into label design features that celebrate the coveted Japanese market. I am confident that the bottlings will sell well, and the smaller 200ml Japan Edition bottles, created from four of the series, will give customers the opportunity to sample these drams before selecting their favourite. This is the first time we have ever created bottles of that size for the mass market.”
Seven bottles from the series will be available for tastings at the festival, including the Shinanoya Private Bottlings of Laphroaig and Craigellachie.
“This has been months in the making, and we’re delighted to be moving forward with the launch of the new packaging design as we build The Octave brand in Japan,” said Yuta Akimoto, whisky and spirit head buyer for Shinanoya.
The Octave portfolio is now available in more than 60 countries.
Earlier this year, Duncan Taylor announced plans to reach an inventory of 1,000 different Octave bottlings during 2026. Since 2009, the Octave releases have received 55 global awards.
