Capacity: 700ml
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 50%
LIMITED TO: 1500 BOTTLES

Taking advantage of the global rise in Japanese whiskey, several new Japanese whiskey distilleries have been established. Entering 2020, these new distilleries will successively launch their first products. The one introduced this time is the first product from the Asaka Distillery in Tohoku, Japan - "The First".

Anzai's parent company, Sasagawa Shuzo, was established as early as 1765, starting with sake. After World War II, Sasagawa targeted the demand for foreign liquors among U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan, importing whiskey from abroad and launching it under the "Cherry" brand. Entering the 1970s, Sasagawa made a still out of pure steel to produce its own malt whiskey. Unfortunately, the good times did not last; by the late 1980s, Japan's economy began to decline, and Sasagawa ceased whiskey production. The un-bottled whiskey lay dormant in Sasagawa's warehouse, while the still and other equipment fell into disrepair over the years.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECENT YEARS THAT JAPANESE WHISKEY BECAME POPULAR WORLDWIDE. SASANOKAWA BOTTLED ITS INVENTORY OF WHISKEY ON A TRIAL BASIS UNDER THE BRAND "SAKURAZAKURA," AND THE POSITIVE MARKET RESPONSE GAVE SASANOKAWA GREAT CONFIDENCE. THEY DECIDED TO ORDER TWO NEW STILLS FROM MIYAKE SHUZO IN TOKYO TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE AND IMPROVE THE WHISKEY-MAKING PROCESS. THIS TIME, SASANOKAWA ALSO RECEIVED STRONG GUIDANCE FROM THE LEADING FIGURE IN THE WHISKEY WORLD—KITO ICHIRO!!

It is said that in 2004, the Chubo Distillery established by the grandfather of Hidetaro Hito faced demolition, and a batch of precious original spirits had no place to be stored. At this time, they were fortunate to receive help from Sasagawa. Today, the Chichibu Distillery established by Hidetaro Hito has achieved great success worldwide. To repay Sasagawa's kindness back then, he gave various suggestions during the process of building the factory in Azuma, and even Sasagawa's employees went to the Chichibu Distillery for apprenticeship and training. The process of establishing the Azuma Distillery and Hidetaro Hito's words of gratitude are all recorded in the booklet included in "The First" as a commemoration.

Speaking of this liquor, it is limited to 1,500 bottles, with a 3-year age and bottled at 50 degrees. Due to the very small quantity obtained, we did not have the opportunity to open the bottle for a taste test, but according to descriptions from Japanese friends who have tried it, this liquor basically has no sherry influence and is estimated to have been aged in bourbon barrels. The taste is fresh, with a wonderful acidity (possibly a characteristic of Anaji). Although the aging time is only 3 years, the overall performance is outstanding, and Anaji's future performance is highly anticipated.

"The First" is always worth collecting.