Kurayoshi Distillery - Japanese Pure Malt Whisky - The Kurayoshi

The Kurayoshi Pure Malt is one of the standout classics from the range created by Matsui Shuzo. This blend is subtle, vanilla-scented, and indulgent, perfectly balancing power and delicacy. Aged for over three years in oak barrels, it releases a soft and refreshing aroma of malted barley, with notes of grape and fine caramel, light wood, and brioche. As it aerates, hints of pear and dried fruits emerge, along with a touch of delicate peat, creating a very complex profile. Its restrained power and refinement form a delightful balance. The unique finish, using spring water from the Tottori desert, adds an extra layer of subtlety. Superb! Rated 17/20 by the Selection Committee.

Elaboration:

Non-peated. Pure Malt, a blend of 100% Japanese whiskies and volcanic stone-filtered water, aged over 3 years in oak casks, delicately finished with Daisen mountain spring water. Not chill-filtered.

Color:

Bright, light yellow amber.

Nose:

Typical of a grain brandy, notes of brioche, blond wood, vanilla and lightly toasted bread are followed by aromas of pear and dried fruit, punctuated by hints of banana and delicate peaty notes.

Palate:

Both silky and creamy, a slight palate sweetness punctuated by a moderate touch of saltiness and bitterness. The finish is persistent, blending flavors of sponge cake and bourbon vanilla. The whole is complex and racy. It's a well-balanced eau de vie, the power present but very restrained, the refinement of the distillation taking over and giving it a lot of energy!

Temperature:

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

Food and wine pairing:

As an aperitif, digestif, on its own or for water lovers, we suggest a still, neutral, fresh spring water.
The Japanese sometimes accompany their fish meals with whisky served as mizuwari: the whisky is reduced by two-thirds water and a few ice cubes to give it an alcoholic strength equivalent to that of wine.

Kurayoshi is a gem of Japan. Located in Tottori Prefecture, in the south of Honshu Island, this micro-distillery has been mastering the delicate art of blending and refining for a century. Sake, shochu, and brandy have always been crafted in the purest Japanese tradition, thanks in part to the pure waters of nearby Mount Daisen.

In recent years, Shuzo Matsui has also developed a select range of whiskies known as Matsui. These include classic blends like Kurayoshi Pure Malt, as well as a series that pays homage to Japanese culture and its artists, featuring bottles illustrated by the greatest masters of Japanese painting, such as Hokusai and Kikukawa Eizan.