SHIZUOKA UNITED S Japanese Single Malt Whisky
SHIZUOKA UNITED S Japanese Single Malt Whisky
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A single malt created by blending two pot stills, nicknamed W and K. Smooth and balanced.
At Shizuoka Distillery, two pot stills, nicknamed W and K, produce distinct and unique spirits. United S is a Single Malt created by blending both of these spirits. Its smooth and balanced flavor can be likened to a sphere. The K, with its steam heating, forms the upper half of the sphere with its fruity aroma and light taste, while the W, heated by direct wood fire, provides a heavy taste and long finish, supporting the lower half of the sphere.
Located halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya, Shizuoka is reportedly the only whisky distillery in the world solely burning timber to heat a wash still during distillation. The ingredients in United S consist of Japanese malted barley as the core, combined with Scottish non-peated malt, peated malt, and malt for beer. The barrels used are primarily first-fill bourbon barrels, with wine barrels also utilized. Please enjoy Single Malt S, the culmination of Shizuoka Distillery's expertise.
Distillery Highlights
The Red Malt Mill, which pulverizes the malted barley, is a vintage mill that was manufactured in England in 1989. It was previously used at the now-legendary Karuizawa Distillery.
The ten washbacks divide into four made with Douglas Fir and six from locally grown cedar. These are the first fermenters made in Japan and it makes Shizuoka Whisky Distillery the only one in the world to use cedar. Nakamura-san was inspired by the traditional use of cedar in sake fermentation. Their washbacks are made by the only traditional craftsmen left who know how to make them, Fuji Seiokesho from Osaka.
Shizuoka Distillery is famous for its unique pot stills. The Whisky is distilled twice in the world’s only wood-fired, direct heat still. The firewood is sourced from lumber forests in Tamakawa via Tamakawa Kicori, a lumberyard in Shizuoka City. It’s then split into firewood and dried on-site at the distillery.
Shizuoka also has a smaller wash still formerly used at the iconic, but now defunct, Karuizawa Distillery.
Aged in ex-bourbon barrels and influenced by the temperature changes in Shizuoka, the whisky matures more rapidly than distilleries with a more stable climate.
DISTILLERY STORY
Founded in 2016 by Taiko Nakamura the Shizuoka Distillery is located in the Shizuoka's Okuzashiki "Oku-Siz" region, on the Nakakouchi River surrounded by an abundance of nature.
Underground water flows from the Japanese Southern Alps and moistens this land, eventually transforming into the great Abe River, flowing into Suruga Bay. The Whisky is slowly aging in this natural surrounding, with the animals breathing and the blessings of the beautiful nature that moves with the seasons.
The first distillate was produced in October 2016 and casked in December that year.
The distillery is owned by renowned whisky importer Gaia Flow who imports include the brands Blackadder and Amrut. It was designed by American architect living in Shizuoka, Derek Buston, with the intention that it should not be a traditional Scottish style distillery.
YOUTUBE VIDEO - Tour the Distillery
