Imagine a world painted in cerulean hues, where the vast expanse of the Japanese Sea kisses the horizon and salty breezes carry whispers of distant shores. In this realm of the "Three White Treasures" – snow, rice, and sake – lies the Shinobu Distillery, a solitary sentinel guarding a timeless secret. Here, amidst the rhythmic murmur of the tide, a captivating spirit awaits – the Shinobu 10 YO Pure Malt Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish Lightly Peated. Essentially; it's a siren's song from the seaside, luring the discerning drinker with promises of smoky intrigue and unexpected delights.
A Master's Alchemy
The Shinobu is the brainchild of Mr. Usami Ken, a master blender with a touch akin to alchemy. He possesses the rare talent of wielding time and wood, not as tools, but as living elements. He envisions a masterpiece, not cast in bronze or carved from marble, but crafted from the very essence of time and terroir. With a discerning eye, Mr. Usami Ken selects malts aged in ex-bourbon, ex-cherry, and Hogshead casks.
These casks, like weathered stones whispering tales of past journeys, imbue the maturing spirit with their own unique character. The ex-bourbon casks impart a touch of vanilla and caramel sweetness, while the ex-cherry casks add a subtle hint of fruitiness. The Hogshead casks, seasoned with a blend of wines and spirits, lend a touch of complexity and spice. Each cask is a chapter in the story, and Mr. Usami Ken, the master storyteller, meticulously chooses the perfect ones to create a foundation for his liquid masterpiece.
Mizunara's Elusive Embrace
However, Mr. Usami Ken's artistry truly blossoms in the final act. The carefully aged malts embark on a pilgrimage,spending a year nestled within the prized embrace of Mizunara oak.
This rare and coveted wood, revered for its ability to impart whispers of honeyed fruits and warm spices, acts as the finishing touch. The Mizunara, with its slow growth and intricate grain patterns, releases its secrets slowly, infusing the spirit with a depth and complexity that only time and nature can create. It's as if the forest itself breathes its essence into the whisky, leaving behind whispers of sandalwood and cedar. The Mizunara's influence is subtle yet transformative, elevating the Shinobu to a new plane of existence.
Aromatic Allure: A Dance of Smoke and Spice
The Shinobu beckons with the seductive wisp of a peated melody. Hints of malt mingle with the smoky echo of a driftwood bonfire crackling on a desolate beach. It's a familiar yet captivating aroma, a promise of warmth and intrigue. But beneath this initial veil lies a hidden symphony, waiting to be discovered by the patient connoisseur.
Take a deep breath, and allow the Shinobu to unfold its secrets. The smoky facade gives way to a vibrant tapestry of scents. The earthy sweetness of licorice root intertwines with the floral embrace of heather honey, a harmonious duet that awakens the senses. Deep wood notes rise like the scent of ancient pines clinging to windswept cliffs, adding a touch of rugged grandeur.
A touch of whimsy emerges with the playful decadence of chocolate hobnobs, a delightful counterpoint to the rustic charm of the wood notes. This unexpected melody is what makes the Shinobu so captivating – a spirit that balances the familiar with the surprising, the earthy with the playful.
The Shinobu 10 YO is an invitation to embark on a journey of olfactory exploration. Each breath unveils a new facet of its complex aroma, a testament to the meticulous artistry and the interplay of time, wood, and the elements. In each sip awaits a symphony of flavors, waiting to be savored and unraveled.
A Symphony on the Palate: A Journey from Dawn to Dusk
The first sip of the Shinobu 10 YO is an invitation to embark on a flavorful odyssey, a journey mirroring the sun's ascent over the shimmering expanse of the Niigata coast. Imagine the cool caress of iced coffee, a gentle awakening for the palate, mirroring the dawn's invigorating kiss. Gradually, a rich, malty embrace unfolds, reminiscent of the sun climbing higher in the sky, bathing the landscape in its warm glow.
As the sun reaches its zenith, the Shinobu's flavours deepen. A touch of peppery spice awakens the senses, a playful nudge akin to the midday sun's intensity. Then, a wave of smooth sweetness washes over the palate, like the image of runny caramel cascading down a sun-warmed rock pool – a delightful indulgence mirrored on the seashore.
The afternoon unfolds with a touch of intrigue. Cloves, like fragrant embers of a dying fire left behind by a seaside picnic,add a hint of complexity. Whispers of chocolate milkshake join the dance, a playful echo of childhood summers spent by the ocean. Oak char, a subtle whisper of the cask's influence, rounds out the experience, grounding it in a touch of rustic charm.
As the flavours pirouette on the tongue, the peppery smoke returns, a gentle reminder of the initial impression and the spirit's peated nature. It lingers on the palate, a warm echo reminiscent of embers glowing on a twilight beach bonfire. This smoky farewell signals the end of the Shinobu's odyssey, leaving behind a longing for the next sip – a yearning to return to the captivating seaside reverie it evokes.
A Toast to Time and Terroir
As the above-mentioned elaborations suggest, the Shinobu is an invitation to a sensory odyssey. Each sip is a brushstroke on the canvas of the palate, a captivating melody that unfolds like a seaside reverie and testament to the transformative power of time, terroir, Japanese tradition and meticulous craftmanship, a masterful blend that unfolds like a story on the palate.
On terra australis, Shinbobu's expressions are exclusively distributed by the entity known as the Japanese Quality Whisky Society.
As the sole custodian of Shinobu in Australia, JQWS unlocks the door to a coveted experience and additionally offers not merely a carefully curated selection of Japanese distilleries like Chiyomusubi, Nagahama, and Senjo Brewery, but extends its dedication beyond Japan's borders, with their 2023 expansion encompassing a world-class selection of premium spirits.
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Words by AW.
Photo courtesy of The Shinobu.