Region: Kansai, Japan

History: KOJIKI’s philosophy and style lies in its own name. The KOJIKI or “Records of Ancient Affairs” is the oldest chronicle in Japan dating back to the 8th century. The KOJIKI is the collection of myths, legends and historical tales about the origin of the Japanese archipelago and the Kami (objects of worship). KOJIKI whiskey is like a dive into ancient Japan and its oldest traditions and rituals.

Preparation: This whiskey is made from an unusual blend of 40% barley (with a small percentage of barley in peat), 30% wheat and 30% corn. The malted barley and grain whiskey in this blend comes from the KOJIKI distillery, located in the Kansai area near Kyoto along the shore of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest body of fresh water. Twice distilled in traditional KOJIKI pot stills, then aged for three years in Bourbon barrels, this whiskey is finished for three months in Sauternes barrels and four months in Champagne barrels. Artisanal production is 400 barrels per year.

Tasting notes:

KOJIKI shows a pale and light golden color. Its rich sweetness and freshness reveal soft aromas of wheat bread, orange peel, white peach and cotton candy.