Takamine - 8 Year (750ml)
Honkaku Spirits recently introduced Takamine Whiskey, an 8-year-old koji-fermented whiskey, and right out of the gate, the new spirit won a Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition.
The 8-year whiskey is double distilled from 100% barley mash saccharified using Koji. It comes off the still, and enters cask at 90 proof. This was common at American distilleries in the late 19th century, but it is unheard of today. The taste profile of the whiskey is like two parts wheated bourbon, like Weller, and one part good unpeated malt. It exudes notes of creamy vanilla, candied orange peel and caramel, yet it is extremely balanced with a very unique savory note from the koji that offers a delicate sherried nuance.
Takamine Description
Takamine Koji Whiskey is made with the patented Takamine Process, which uses an ancient Japanese mold, koji, to convert starches to sugars in a process similar to malting barley. Unlike malt whiskey where sugars are extracted in a warm water mash before yeast is introduced to start the fermentation, both the koji and yeast are active at the same time in a multiple parallel fermentation. This 100% barley ferment is then double distilled and aged in virgin oak and ex-Bourbon casks to give the spirit its natural golden color and deep, lush flavors.