The Koshi-No Shinobu 10 year old, Pure Malt Mizunara Oak Finish /43%/ – ‘Shinobu’ means forbearance in Japanese language symbolizing the spirit of samurai; it can also describe the spirit in making whisky, which takes patience and persistence. Shinobu Distillery is a brainchild of Ken Usami, founder of Niigata Beer Company 20 years ago. In 2017 Mr. Usami obtained the whisky license and started construction of the distillery in Niigata Prefecture, the place known in Japan for its “Three White Treasures” – snow, rice and sake. Koshi-no Shinobu pure malt is a blend of single malt whiskies (very likely distilled outside of Japan) aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks. In 2020 Koshi-No Shinobu Pure Malt 10 years old scored gold medals at: San Francisco World Spirit Competition, World Whisky Awards and International Spirit Challenge.
Nose: fruity and floral, bunch of wild flowers, oranges, tangerines, pineapples, vanilla, butterscotch, milk chocolate, cinnamon and oak shavings.
Palate: vanilla ice cream, oranges, cantaloupe, banana bread, cappuccino, toffee, golden syrup, allspice, cinnamon, dash of lemon pepper and oak.
Finish: medium long, with notes of citrus, vanilla, toffee, cinnamon buns, dash of ginger and oak.
