Ontake Distillery acquired the Kagoshima Golf Resort in February 2011; in 2019, a whisky distilling facility was built within the golf resort.
It will be the third distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, following the Mars Tsunuki Distillery of Hombo Shuzo and the Kanosuke Distillery of Komasa Brewery. Ontake” refers to Sakurajima, which seems to be the official name of Sakurajima since ancient times. The distillery is located on a hilltop overlooking Kinko Bay and Ontake (Sakurajima), where natural soft water of more than 1,000 liters per minute gushes out.
There are two pot stills, one for first distillation and one for redistillation. The line arms of both stills are designed to face upward, so that heavy flavor components are removed and only “fruity and deep flavor components” are extracted. The distillery’s goal is to create a whisky with a mellow fruit aroma, a well-balanced flavor, and a clear mouthfeel that glides down the throat, using a new pot with a clean mouthfeel.
This release is Ontake’s choice for a special bourbon barrel.
It is not only the new pot that Ontake puts its heart and soul into. Barrels” are another important ingredient.
The special bourbon barrels we choose are barrels used to age bourbon whisky produced in Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA.
We visit the area to see each barrel with our own eyes and smell the charred interior,
We also get to know the personalities of the people who work there, and carefully select only the best quality 1st Fill bourbon barrels.
Furthermore, the repair of the barrels is also an original order. Each barrel is meticulously maintained by our craftsmen.
The “marriage” of Ontake’s New Pot and the special bourbon barrels selected by Ontake.
Please enjoy the “marriage” of Ontake’s New Pot and the special bourbon barrels selected by Ontake.
Tasting Notes
The aroma is complex and powerful, with sweet notes of dried apricots and raisins, as well as hazelnuts and nutmeg.
The palate is smooth, with flavors expanding toward the finish,
The palate is smooth, with a spicy accent that leads to a smooth finish.
Citation: Ontake THE FIRST EDTION BOURBON BARRELS | Nishi-Shuzo Corporation (nishi-shuzo.co.jp)
At BAR SHINKAI, each glass is available for 3,960 yen (45ml), 2,640 yen (30ml), and 1,320 yen (15ml).
For more information on the ONTAKE THE FIRST EDITION BOURBON BARRELS, please see this article.
For a full list of BARShinkai’s whisky menu, click here.
