Amahagan World Malt Edition No.1 Japanese Malt Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml             ABV: 47%           Age: No Age Statement         Country: Japan

The Nagahama distillery was founded in 2016 and boasts that it is the smallest distillery in Japan. The small team operate in a space that is twenty six and a half square meters in space. In 2016 saw an unprecedented boost in the number of whisky distilleries in Japan. Around six distilleries started production and three of these were part of already functioning breweries. The Nagahama Distillery is one of those distilleries which is an extension of Nagahama Roman Brewery and therefor setting up this distillery was fairly quick and easy. It only took seven months to complete

The Nagahama Distillery is situated in the picturesque town of Shiga and is owned by Liquor Mountain a local retailer. The distillery took its inspiration from Scotland and two distilleries in-particular. Strathearn and Eden Mill were fairly small distilleries and were considered new, Strathearn being one of the smallest in Scotland. Nagahama Distillery use the same stills as Strathearn being Hoga Stills which are fitted with alembic heads and traditionally used for making calvados, Cognac or pisco. Made by Hoga Stills in Portugal, they are favoured by many smaller craft distillers, particularly in the US. They are cheaper than traditional pot stills and faster to get delivered than from Forsyths. The distillery boasts a 60 hour fermentation and the mash is around 400kgs. The Nagahama Distillery use mainly ex-Bourbon American oak barrels to mature their peated and unpeated spirit and the barrels are filled at 59% abv. Think Springbank!

To help make the distillery a sustainable project and to allow the team to practise blending whiskies the team at the distillery have purchased whisky from ‘different distilleries’ and created a blended Japanese Malt Whisky series named Amagahan (Nagahama backwards, how witty!) This malt whisky series has four releases and all of which are made from malted barley.

Make no mistake, “World Malt Edition No.1” isn’t a Japanese whisky. The distillery specify that it they use imported whisky mainly from Scotland. If your nose and palate is refined enough you should be able to detect where it is from. The Amahagan range does contain some Nagahama Distillery liquid, how much, we have no idea. That said the ingredients don’t list grain, so it’s only using malt whisky.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Orchards fruits are up first and then lead you to tropical fruits of mango and pineapple, there’s a subtle lemon zesty aroma with some toasted or charred oak.

Palate: Lemon tart with sweet pastry and tropical fruits, orange marmalade and some Christmas spice.

Finish: Lemon citrus, charred oak and spice.