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New Kujira Ryukyu 30 Year Old Rice Whisky Appearing On American Shelves

Kumesen Syuzo, as we reported on last year, is a distillery founded in Okinawa back in 1952. It is known locally there for distilling Awamori, a rice-based spirit. Said spirit can be aged for good lengths of time, which Kumesen began doing back in 1989. At the time we first took notice of the brand a 20 year old version of its rice whisky, called Kujira Ryukyu, was showing up at American liquor retail. Now an even older offering in the form of a 30 year old has recently touched down as well.

The new Kujira Ryukyu 30 Year Old, according to those behind it, is distilled from 100% Indica rice and then aged for over three decades in a combination of selected sherry, bourbon and white oak virgin oak casks. It is bottled at 43% ABV and comes in both 700 and 750 ml bottles, depending upon the market.

This particular rice whisky is said to have a global release of just 1,999 bottles. A quick check online reveals at the time of this post that pricing for this bottling is generally hovering between $1,000 and $1,500, which is a significant bump up from the previously mentioned 20 year old.

Kujira Ryukyu 30 Year Old
Kujira Ryukyu 30 Year Old (image via Shin Group)

Official tasting notes for the Kujira Ryukyu 30 Year Old can be found below for your consideration.

  • Nose: nectar, caramel, heavy wood smoke of antique furniture
  • Taste: smooth and supple with complex tones of fruits citrus, caramel pudding, dried persimmons, sugar and rich ripe berries; wood tannins bring the puckery sourness of Chinese herbs
  • Finish: little nectars dotted among smell of wooden barrels with a long lingering finish of sweetness.
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