Capacity: 700ml
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 59%
LIMITED TO: 9984 BOTTLES

The Tsukinami Distillery began operations at the end of 2016. After a three-year wait, its first officially "decent" whisky, Tsukinami The First, was finally released. This whisky was bottled at an original alcohol strength of 59%, with a limited quantity of 9,984 bottles. Each bottle has a unique serial number and is packaged in a round barrel-style box, which is rare for the distillery, indicating that the distillery has used high-quality materials just from the appearance.

NOT LONG AGO, I WAS GIFTED A SAMPLE OF THIS WINE BY A FRIEND. HERE'S A BRIEF EVALUATION... IN TERMS OF AROMA, AFTER THE RICH TOFFEE SCENT, THERE IS A HINT OF CITRUS FRUIT JAM AND A SWEET FRAGRANCE OF BENZALDEHYDE. ON THE PALATE, THE HONEY FLAVOR IS RICH, ACCOMPANIED BY A LIGHT LICORICE, FOLLOWED BY THE SPICY TASTE OF GINGERBREAD AND THE STIMULATION BROUGHT BY 59-DEGREE ALCOHOL! THE AFTERTASTE IS VERY LONG-LASTING; TAKE A BREATH IN AND EXHALE, AND THE LINGERING SWEETNESS AND BLACK PEPPER FLAVOR STILL LINGER IN THE MOUTH.

ALTHOUGH TSUKUNAGA IS A NEWLY BUILT WHISKEY DISTILLERY, ITS LOCATION HAS A DEEP CONNECTION TO THE HISTORY OF HONPO SHUZO. THIS PLACE WAS ORIGINALLY THE SHOCHU DISTILLERY ON WHICH HONPO SHUZO WAS FOUNDED, AND THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF THE HONPO FAMILY WAS ALSO BUILT HERE. THEREFORE, IT IS NO EXAGGERATION TO SAY THAT TSUKUNAGA IS THE ROOT OF HONPO SHUZO.

Jingu is located at the southern tip of Kagoshima, where the climate is relatively hot and humid. In summer, the temperature can reach up to 36 degrees Celsius, with humidity reaching 70%. Although this environment can accelerate the maturation of whiskey, it causes the Angel's share during the maturation of Jingu whiskey to be as high as 6% (Shinshu Distillery is only 3%). The double-speed Angel's share leads to a sharp increase in brewing costs, and the price trend of Jingu's long-matured whiskey can also be anticipated. 🤯

IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE MANAGER OF TSUKINAMI DISTILLERY IS THE VERY YOUNG TSUKINO TATSUROU, BORN IN 1988. HE WORKED AT SHINSHU DISTILLERY FOR 3 YEARS AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF TSUKINAMI DISTILLERY AT A VERY FAST PACE DUE TO HIS TALENT. BECAUSE HE IS RELATIVELY YOUNG, IT CAN BE SEEN IN MANY INTERVIEWS THAT HE HAS A STRONG EXPERIMENTAL SPIRIT AND LIKES TO ADJUST DIFFERENT PROCESS DETAILS TO IMPROVE THE TASTE OF WHISKEY. THE FUTURE OF TSUKINAMI IS REALLY PROMISING!

If you want to try the characteristics of the young and vibrant Tsukinami distillation, this Tsukinami The First is definitely a good choice.