Aged in cherry (sakura) barrels, a sacred and age-old essence in Japan, The Matsui Sakura Cask Single Malt is the emblem of Japanese culture. A rare and precious whisky, distilled by the Kurayoshi distillery in the province of Tottori. The clear, slightly amber color reveals on the nose notes of fresh pear, a touch of currant, flowers, fresh grass, a fine and light woody, in a very fresh whole of a great complexity. The palate evolves crescendo, affirming its power with woody flavors that evoke pine and resin. The finish recalls the cereal side, the soft and refined character of this great whisky, reduced with a natural spring water from Mount Daisen which prolongs its elegance. Rated 16,5/20 by our Selection Committee.

Elaboration:

Not peated. Aged in Mizunara oak barrels in a natural environment in Tottori Prefecture where the temperature variation varies intensely from season to season. Diluted in high quality natural spring water from Mount Daisen.

Color:

Bright light amber with silver highlights.

Nose:

Very fine and pure. Small notes of cereals, toasted corn and yeast, aromas of white fruits, currant and apricot, some touches of white flowers mixed with hints of dried herbs, the whole underlined by a noble woody, rather blond.

Palate:

Extremely powerful, the complexity of flavors and persistence are impressive. This is a powerful yet virile style, a great grain spirit with a long and flavorful iodized finish!

Temperature:

Serve between 16 and 18°C in a Glencairn whisky glass.

Food and wine pairing:

As an aperitif, as a digestive, alone or for water amateurs, in addition to their whisky tasting, we suggest a still, neutral and fresh spring water. The Japanese sometimes accompany their fish meal with whisky served as mizuwari: the whisky is served reduced by two thirds of water and a few ice cubes to give it an alcoholic strength equivalent to that of a wine.

Kurayoshi is the pearl of Japan. Located in the prefecture of Tottori, in the south of the island of Honshu, this micro-distillery has been cultivating the delicate art of blending and refining for a century. Sake, shochu and brandy have always been made in the purest Japanese tradition, thanks in particular to the proximity of Mount Daisen and its pure waters.

For a few years, Shuzo Matsui has also been making a short range of whiskies known as Matsui. Classic blends such as Kurayoshi Pure Malt, but also a range that pays tribute to Japanese culture and its artists, through bottles illustrated by the greatest masters of Japanese painting, such as Hokusai or Kikukawa Eizan.