The Matsui Sakura Cask Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Released as part of the Matsui range, this expression is a single malt from the Kurayoshi Distillery, which resides in the foothills of Mt. Daisen, and it has been matured in cherry wood casks.

Aged for 3 years in Sakura, famous and iconic Japanese cherrytree. This tree holds and important place in Japanese culture. It often used as a metaphor on ephemerality of beauty and life. It always has been a source of inspiration for Japanese artists.

Aging takes place in Kurayoshi city - Tottori prefecture in a natural environment where temperature vary drastically from season to season. It is then diluted down with high quality natural spring water from Mont Daisen. This masterpiece made with heart and passion by the Matsui team.
Artwork “Beauty in the Cherry blossom Garden” by Kikukawa Eizan.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Light notes of mixed summer fruits at first. Well balanced and approachable. Red berries, including cherry. Vanilla and icing sugar.

Taste: Quite rich in character. Sugary sweet. Much the same as the nose, but on the palate the sweetness is more pronounced than the fruitiness. Creamy and softly malty. Red berries again. Ginger and hints of cinnamon. Assorted citrus fruits.

Finish: Medium long finish. A quick flash of spices before it mellows out. Notes of cut grass and green herbs towards the end. In the end I'm left with the echoes of sweet oranges, white sugar, pepper, and green mint.