TheMatsuiThePeated(700mL)

<p>A flavorful peated Single Malt from Kurayoshi that will stand up to any from Islay. </p><p><em>The Matsui Shuzou Distillery</em> was founded in <em>1910</em> northwest of Kyoto 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. The spring water used to distill their Sake, Shōchū, and Whisky and bring it to proof has filtered through volcanic stone for eons — resulting in significant purity and a <em>unique</em>, soft mineral composition.</p><p>The Matsui Shuzou Distillery keeps a low profile with no visitor center or direct sales. But the Whiskies that comes out of their warehouses are <em>highly regarded</em> — including Single Malts under the <em>Kurayoshi brand</em> and five grain Whiskies under their <em>Tottori </em>nameplate.</p><p><em>The Matsui The Peated</em> is a bit of a delicious enigma. It is a peated Single Malt from Japan — which is odd enough. But it is also named for the parent company Matsui, but is marketed under the Kurayoshi brand and made in the new<em> Kurayoshi Distillery </em>which is owned by Matsui.</p><p>But what’s most important is the taste, and at <em>48% </em>ABV this peated Single Malt from Japan can stand toe-to-toe with the best Single Malts coming from Islay — and the folks at the <em>Ultimate Spirits Challenge</em> agree, awarding it <em>87 points</em> and a Strong Recommendation.</p><p><u>Smartass Corner:</u><em>The word for peated malt in Japanese is “Pītomoruto.”</em></p>