Premium Japanese spirits company Kamiki Drinks has launched Kamiki Shuzou Distillery’s first Japanese single malt whisky.
With a 48% ABV, the Kamiki single malt is distilled and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. The liquid is later finished in Japanese cedar (also known as Yoshino Sugi) casks, making it the world’s first Japanese cedar cask-finish single malt whisky.
According to Kamiki, Japanese cedar is revered for its distinctive fragrance and soft texture and has been used for centuries to calm the mind and the body.
Kamiki Shuzou Distillery is located in Soni, a village in Japan’s Nara Prefecture. Soni is regarded as the gateway to the Yamato Kingdom, the cradle of the Japanese nation, and is one of the most beautiful villages in the country.
In a region steeped in significant historical and cultural importance and surrounded by dense Yoshino Sugi forests, Kamiki Shuzou is described as being at the “intersection of tradition and innovation”.
The Kamiki single malt is made from the crystal-clear water from the Soni Highlands and said to be an essential ingredient in the whisky’s taste profile.
On the nose, the expression offers notes of green tea and sandalwood, complemented by prominent cedar, alongside cinnamon and pine. A rich, cedar woodiness reminiscent of a lush forest follows. On the palate, Kamiki unfolds with an intensified floral presence leading to a refreshing, forest-inspired finish.
A Kamiki Drinks spokesperson said: “Kamiki Shuzou has transformed a century-old building into a modern distillery. It stands as a testament to sustainability and as a pioneering whisky facility which has woven together the rich, historical narrative of Japan with modern distillery practices. It epitomises the brand’s deep-rooted connection to Japan’s early history and its enduring cultural heritage.
“Kamiki is the first company in the world to use local Japanese casks made from Yoshino Sugi to age its whiskies and now we are delighted to bring the first Kamiki Japanese single malt whisky to the market.”
Kamiki Single Malt is launching on the Japanese domestic market, with a global roll out to follow. Kamiki Drinks also distributes Umiki whisky, Minoki rum, OakPacker American single malt, Aqvaranch vodka and Aqvaranch gin. ✈
