SP24 Ohishi Whisky Sherry Cask

Ohishi Whisky Sherry CaskProduced at the Ohishi Distillery on the banks of the Kuma River in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu — one of Japan's oldest distilleries, founded in 1872 — this expression takes an unconventional path to whisky. Rather than malted barley, Ohishi distills a blend of rice: at least 30% gohyakumanishi rice grown on the distillery's own fields using traditional koi-carp weed control, rounded out with mochi rice from Kumamoto. The distillate is then aged in first- and second-fill sherry casks, drawing on nearly 40 years of the distillery's relationships with trusted sherry cask coopers. The result is a rich amber whisky with a nose of dried fruit — raisins and figs — layered with dark chocolate, toasted oak, warm spice, and a whisper of sandalwood. On the palate it's creamy and full-bodied, with luscious cherry, orange zest, and caramel meeting nutty notes of almond and hazelnut, balanced by gentle cinnamon and nutmeg spice. The finish is long and warming, with dried fruit and spice lingering pleasantly. Bottled at 40%+ ABV (varies by release/cask).

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY
Ohishi's approach comes directly from its roots in sake and shochu production, which the distillery has practiced since 1899. Because it's distilled from rice rather than malt or grain, Ohishi doesn't qualify as "Japanese whisky" under Japan's official labeling standards — it's distilled, matured, and bottled entirely in Japan, but sold exclusively in export markets. That rice-based distillate gives it a lighter body than a typical malt whisky, letting the decades of sherry cask character take center stage.

STYLE: RICE-DISTILLED WHISKY, SHERRY CASK MATURED
KEY GRAIN: GOHYAKUMANISHI RICE (OWN FIELDS) + MOCHI RICE (KUMAMOTO)
CASK: FIRST- AND SECOND-FILL SHERRY CASKS
SPECIAL NOTES: RICE-BASED, SO NOT CLASSIFIED AS "JAPANESE WHISKY" UNDER OFFICIAL LABELING RULES; EXPORT-MARKET RELEASE ONLY; DISTILLERY HAS PRODUCED SAKE/SHOCHU SINCE 1899