Shinobu Pure Malt Mizunara Oak Finish 忍純麥威士忌

"SHINOBU" means “forbearance” in Japanese, symbolizing the spirit of a samurai,
like making great spirits which takes time, patience and persistence.

Shinobu Distillery is located in beautiful Niigata prefecture of Japan, a place that is praised locally by its “three white treasures,” namely SNOW, RICE AND SAKE.

In the distillery lives a passionate whisky lover and an experienced brewer, Mr. Ken Usami, who also founded the craft beer brewery called Niigata Beer 20 years ago in the same town. As an innovator by heart, Mr. Usami was the first brewer to apply SECONDARY BOTTLE FERMENTATION AND AGING in Niigata beer.

Mr. Usami dreams of creating a local whisky distillery that will be able to showcase the quality of local pure water and serves the passionate community of spirit lovers. Finally in 2017, Mr. Usami obtained the first whisky license for Niigata (another FIRST!) and thus started his journey of becoming a distiller.

While the distillery is still under construction, Mr. Usami wants to experiment with blending WORLD WHISKIES to create the unique flavours of Japan. Thus the first expressions of Mizunara oak finish are born.

Shinobu non-age statement (NAS) expressions are made by carefully selected quality whiskies from different distilleries which are first reserved in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks and then finished with precious Japanese Mizunara oak in Japan. The blended expression contains 50% malt and 50% grain. The result is a unique fusion of flavours and dynamic explosion in palate yet so smooth and easy to drink.

Country: Japan

Tasting Notes: Telltale aromas of candied orange peel, toffee, sweet smoke, and toasted hazelnuts are augmented by distinctive herbal tea and spice notes. The palate is surprisingly mellow, with more fruit-forward characteristics bolstered by pepper and spice on the finish. (2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge)

Awards Received:
Gold Medal in the ISC for SHINOBU 10YO
Double Gold Medal in the SFWSC 2020 for the SHIN Malt 10YO
Gold Medal in the SFWSC 2020 for the SHIN Malt & SHINOBU 10YO
Category Winner in the WWA 2020 for SHINOBU 10YO & 15YO
Gold Medal in the 76th WSWA 2019 for SHINOBU Blended
Gold Medal in the SFWSC 2019 for SHINOBU Blended
1st Place Gold Medal in the IWC 2019 for SHINOBU Blended​

SHINOBU在日文中的意思是「堅毅」，象徵武士道精神，如同打造一款好酒亦需要時間及堅持匠心。

忍蒸餾所座落於日本美麗的新潟地區，以富有白色三寶「水源」、「白米」、「清酒」而聞名遐邇。在蒸餾所裡，有一位充滿熱情的威士忌愛好者兼經驗豐富的釀酒師「宇佐美健」，同時也是20年前在同一個小鎮建立新潟麦酒的創辦人。作為其團隊核心，宇佐美先生是首位在新潟麦酒應用瓶內二次發酵和熟成啤酒概念的釀酒師。

多年的經驗儲備下，讓宇佐美先生懷抱了一個打造在地威士忌的夢想。不僅能夠宣揚當地的純淨水源，還能造福廣大威士忌愛好者們。最終在2018年，宇佐美先生獲得了新潟地區的第一個威士忌許可執照（強調是第一個！），開始了他作為蒸餾師的旅程。

儘管蒸餾所成立至今尚在發展階段，宇佐美先生期望能將日本與世界各地的原酒混合調配實驗，創造出新的風味。首批「忍威士忌 水楢木桶熟成」便由此信念而生。

飲酒筆記：酒體散發著糖漬橙皮、太妃糖及夾雜甜味的煙燻，烘烤過的榛果被風味獨特的草本和香料烘托地更加明顯。入口是令人驚豔的醇厚馥郁，由果味型的特徵引領，收結帶胡椒和香料餘韻。