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The Land Of The Rising Whisky

The Land Of The Rising Whisky

Regular price
£33.98
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£30.58 (−10%)
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  • CategoryWhisk(e)y

Spick-and-span from Japan
Japan is running out of Whisky, you guys! Beloved aged bottles are vanishing like ninjas, distilleries are at full capacities, and our favorite Whiskies can only be found if you engage in Mad-Maxish activities. We’re obviously exaggerating, but it’s still serious. See, Japan watched a TV show about Nikka’s founder, Mr. Taketsuru in 2014, and Whiskies flew off the shelves in an instant. It’s like when a Johnny Carson joke caused a toilet paper shortage in 1973. But worry you not, aid is on its way!
We have a few spick-and-span Whiskies from the big boys of Japan to alleviate the crisis. Plus, new distilleries are cropping up, bringing their own drams to quench our thirst for Nippon Whisky. It ain’t just some consolation prize, either: these spanking new Whiskies continue the tradition of quality and flavors, plus allow more experimentation when age is not a factor. These drams are more than just stand-ins to pass the time while we wait for more famous sauce to mature.
This relief package contains three emergency vials: a creamy and slightly peated blend by Nikka; an intriguing spicy-mossy Spirit finished in Rum casks by Helios; and a volcanic and pure Scotland-sourced potion from Matsui Shuzo. It’s more of an extravaganza than a rescue mission, really.
That was close, right? We thought we’ll have to scrounge for the Spirits of the rising sun like post-apocalyptic wildlings, but we can keep our dignity and enjoy a dram from the Land of the Rising Whisky. Word of advice, though: share these rarities with VIPs only.

Kanpai!
Smartass Corner
1) Japan is literally running out of aged Whisky with all of Nikka's single malts with age statements disappearing. The reason? The Japanese didn't care much for local Whisky a decade ago, so the production slowed down, meaning there weren't enough batches maturing when Japanese Whisky became big in Japan a few years ago.
2) Kensei, which is also a name of one of the distillers in this box, were masterful swordsmen within the Samurai tradition. They dedicated their entire lives to perfecting the katana.
3) The most profitable period for the Japanese Whisky-makers was definitely World War II, when the armed forces emptied almost all available barrels.
4) The Japanese Whisky tradition originates in Scotland and for many decades, Japan mimicked Scotch, before they started their own thing. That's the reason we're not calling it Japanese Whiskey with an “e”.
5) The Japanese version of White Oak Akashi Blend is made with malt Whisky and molasses Spirit, but because the bottling would not be classified as "Whisky" in the EU, the export version is a blend of grain and malt Whiskies.
6) According to Suntory CEO Takeshi Niinami, the Japanese Whisky shortages might last to 2026.
There were two catalysts for the renewed interest in Japanese Whisky in Japan. The first one was Suntory's campaign that introduced Whisky Highball, and the second was a hit TV show about Masataka Taketsuru.
7) Highball, a mix of Japanese Whisky and club soda, is still the most popular Whisky-based drink in Japan. The recipe is strict (1:4 ratio, by the way) and you can get it in a can from a vending machine.
Japanese laws are a bit loose on what is Whisky that's made in Japan. Many companies in Japan import Whisky from Scotland (or other countries), mature it Japan for a while, and bottle it as Japanese Whisky.
8) Japan is the second biggest producer of single malt Whisky and Japanese Whisky even got better ratings than Scotch in blind tastings.

About

Spick-and-span from Japan
Japan is running out of Whisky, you guys! Beloved aged bottles are vanishing like ninjas, distilleries are at full capacities, and our favorite Whiskies can only be found if you engage in Mad-Maxish activities. We’re obviously exaggerating, but it’s still serious. See, Japan watched a TV show about Nikka’s founder, Mr. Taketsuru in 2014, and Whiskies flew off the shelves in an instant. It’s like when a Johnny Carson joke caused a toilet paper shortage in 1973. But worry you not, aid is on its way!
We have a few spick-and-span Whiskies from the big boys of Japan to alleviate the crisis. Plus, new distilleries are cropping up, bringing their own drams to quench our thirst for Nippon Whisky. It ain’t just some consolation prize, either: these spanking new Whiskies continue the tradition of quality and flavors, plus allow more experimentation when age is not a factor. These drams are more than just stand-ins to pass the time while we wait for more famous sauce to mature.
This relief package contains three emergency vials: a creamy and slightly peated blend by Nikka; an intriguing spicy-mossy Spirit finished in Rum casks by Helios; and a volcanic and pure Scotland-sourced potion from Matsui Shuzo. It’s more of an extravaganza than a rescue mission, really.
That was close, right? We thought we’ll have to scrounge for the Spirits of the rising sun like post-apocalyptic wildlings, but we can keep our dignity and enjoy a dram from the Land of the Rising Whisky. Word of advice, though: share these rarities with VIPs only.

Kanpai!
Smartass Corner
1) Japan is literally running out of aged Whisky with all of Nikka's single malts with age statements disappearing. The reason? The Japanese didn't care much for local Whisky a decade ago, so the production slowed down, meaning there weren't enough batches maturing when Japanese Whisky became big in Japan a few years ago.
2) Kensei, which is also a name of one of the distillers in this box, were masterful swordsmen within the Samurai tradition. They dedicated their entire lives to perfecting the katana.
3) The most profitable period for the Japanese Whisky-makers was definitely World War II, when the armed forces emptied almost all available barrels.
4) The Japanese Whisky tradition originates in Scotland and for many decades, Japan mimicked Scotch, before they started their own thing. That's the reason we're not calling it Japanese Whiskey with an “e”.
5) The Japanese version of White Oak Akashi Blend is made with malt Whisky and molasses Spirit, but because the bottling would not be classified as "Whisky" in the EU, the export version is a blend of grain and malt Whiskies.
6) According to Suntory CEO Takeshi Niinami, the Japanese Whisky shortages might last to 2026.
There were two catalysts for the renewed interest in Japanese Whisky in Japan. The first one was Suntory's campaign that introduced Whisky Highball, and the second was a hit TV show about Masataka Taketsuru.
7) Highball, a mix of Japanese Whisky and club soda, is still the most popular Whisky-based drink in Japan. The recipe is strict (1:4 ratio, by the way) and you can get it in a can from a vending machine.
Japanese laws are a bit loose on what is Whisky that's made in Japan. Many companies in Japan import Whisky from Scotland (or other countries), mature it Japan for a while, and bottle it as Japanese Whisky.
8) Japan is the second biggest producer of single malt Whisky and Japanese Whisky even got better ratings than Scotch in blind tastings.
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  • CategoryWhisk(e)y

Whats in the box?

Flaviar Tasting Box

What is it made of?

Tasting Box

The “box” part of the Tasting Box

A cylindrical Pandora’s box, but in a good way. Only good Spirits are captured inside, plus a conctere coaster and some useful info.

Designer Coaster

Designer Coaster

Keep your surfaces spotless and sleek. No need to boast with the stuff you stole from a bar when you can present your Spirit with something more becoming.

Sample Vials

Sample Vials

There are three or five 1,5 oz (45ml) vials filled with your chosen Spirits, waiting for you to open and taste.

Flavour Guide Leaflets

Flavour Guide Leaflets

What exactly are you tasting? Wonder no more, because each box includes a flavour guide for each sample with all the info you’ll ever need.

Customer Reviews

Based on 53 reviews
21%
(11)
45%
(24)
21%
(11)
13%
(7)
0%
(0)
m
m
Meh, Just Passable

Looks like someone just dropped a rating and dashed! No comment provided.

A
Anders
They were complex and nice, bu...

They were complex and nice, but overall a bit too fruity for my taste in whisky.

g
guest
Pretty Darn Good!

Looks like someone just dropped a rating and dashed! No comment provided.

S
Stephen
A very different whiskey exper...

A very different whiskey experience for me. Very warm and strong flavours. A welcome change of pace.

C
Cam
It's Alright, I Guess

Looks like someone just dropped a rating and dashed! No comment provided.