Kurayoshi12YearOldPureMaltWhisky(700mL)

<p>Perfectly crafted and marvelously aged. </p><p><em>Matsui Shuzo Distillery</em> was founded in 1910 northwest of Kyoto on the facing the Sea of Japan in Tottori Prefecture. Importantly, the distillery is within sight of <em>Mount Daisen</em> — a volcanic peak rising more than a mile above the surrounding fertile plains. This is significant because the spring water used to distill their Sake, Shōchū, and Whisky and bring it to proof has <em>filtered through volcanic </em>stone for eons — resulting in significant purity and a unique, soft mineral composition.</p><p>The Matsui Shuzo Distillery keeps <em>a low profile.</em> It’s almost enigmatic with no visitor center or direct sales. But the line Whiskies that comes out of their warehouses are very highly regarded — including ten Single Malts under the Kurayoshi brand and five grain Whiskies under their Tottori nameplate. All of them very popular with the discriminating dram-lovers across <em>the Land of the Rising Sun.</em></p><p>A lot of Whisky lovers argue that twelve years is<em> the perfect age for a Malt. </em>Taste is such a personal thing that’s it’s hard to say. But we have noticed that many of our favorite drams happen to be in the ballpark of a dozen years or so. <em>Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt </em>is not exception.</p><p>All the bases are covered — pure Malt aged a full twelve years in new, lightly charred oak, and served up at an absolutely perfect 43% ABV without any of the unwelcome and unnecessary additives that no one really wants. And the result is certainly a sweet spot for us — mellowing the bright tones of the younger spirits into warm notes of nuts and toffee.</p><p>Want to hear the best part? It’s a 100% malted barley Whisky, sourced from distilleries around <em>Scotland, </em>before making their way to<em> Japan, </em>where it is blended with Japanese Whisky, aged, and cut to proof with the legendary<em> volcanic stone filtered water </em>of Tottori Prefecture.</p><p><u>Smartass Corner: </u><em>Mount Daisen is regarded by some ancient religious sects in Japan as a holy mountain — including the syncretic Shugendō faith of “the path of training and testing.”</em></p>