Kujira 15 Year Old Whisky

Kujira 15 Year Old is a refined and polished Japanese rice whisky, offering a pleasant balance of dried fruit, oak, spices, and sweetness within a smooth, layered palate. Its tropical maturation in Okinawa adds a distinctive dimension to the usual whisky profile.

 Overview & Background

• Producer & Region: Crafted by the Masahiro Distillery in Okinawa (formerly Ryukyu), Japan’s southernmost region, which was founded in 1883
• Grain & Distillation: Made from 100% premium Japanese indica rice, distilled in pot stills, a rarity in whisky production.
• Maturation: Aged for over 15 years in a blend of sherry, bourbon, and American white-oak casks. The warm, humid Okinawan climate accelerates maturation and enriches the flavor profile

 Tasting Notes

• Nose: Dried plums, candied fruit, mint, chocolate, plus subtle floral and honey sweetness—along with hints of caramel and vanilla
• Palate: Silky and mellow with caramel, vanilla, oak, tropical fruit, spices, light smoke, chocolate, and honey—developing complexity with licorice and pepper
• Finish: Long and elegant—lingering warmth with tangy dried fruit, pepper, and clean oak tannins

Texture & Style

• Mouthfeel: Mellow, velvety, richly textured—owing to rice distillation and prolonged aging
• Uniqueness: Combines rice-based softness with the depth from oak casks, resulting in an accessible yet characterful drink

 Professional Accolade

• Whisky Advocate review praised the whisky for notes of “plum, cherry, black currant, floral notes, gentle honey sweetness, pepper, and clove… ripe plum, mouth‑drying oak tannins… fig, baking spices… sticky sherry notes”