Matsui Sakura Cask Whiskey 750ml

Matsui Shuzo has been producing traditional Japanese spirits since 1910, based in the town of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture near Mount Daisen. The distillery draws on fresh spring water fed by the mountain's generous snowfall, a resource used across its sake, shochu, and whisky production, and has built a reputation for combining Scottish-influenced technique with distinctly Japanese cask craftsmanship.

Sakura Cask begins its life maturing in standard ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into hybrid casks fitted with heads made from rare Japanese cherry wood, or sakura, a tree deeply woven into Japanese culture as a symbol of fleeting beauty. This secondary aging imparts delicate floral character rarely found in whisky, and the spirit is double distilled in pot stills before being brought to proof with natural spring water from Mount Daisen. Bottled at 48% ABV, the whisky reflects the same volcanic terroir found across the Kurayoshi range.

On the nose, look for almond, marzipan, and fresh cherry blossom, alongside orange and melon. The palate turns crisp, with baking spice and citrus giving way to a light whiff of spring blossom. The finish closes with white pepper heat and vanilla sponge cake, lingering delicately. It's best enjoyed neat or with a small splash of water to let the floral notes unfold.