Ontake First Edition - 1st Fill Solera Sherry Butts

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Ontake First Edition 2023 is the first single malt from the Ontake Distillery, which opened in 2019. Unpeated malt from two-row barley, an in-house yeast culture and naturally soft water form its foundation. The whisky matured entirely in first-fill Solera sherry butts: former sherry casks being used to mature whisky for the first time.

Fruitcake, vanilla and spice complement the fruity impressions of this inaugural edition. It was bottled in 2023 at 43% alcohol, is non-chill-filtered and contains no added colouring. The 0.7-litre bottle comes in a wooden box.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, baked apple, pear compote and apricot mingle with citrus notes. Spices and toasted bread complement the fruity aroma, with citrus peel and spice appearing as subtle nuances.
• Palate: The whisky initially feels dry on the palate before fruitcake and vanilla unfold with a full-bodied texture. A pronounced sweetness recalls raisins and figs, while pear compote, apricot and spices complement the flavour.
• Finish: The finish is long and smooth. Warmth and spices linger, accompanied by a subtle chocolate note and sweet and bitter impressions.

Distillery/Bottler:

The company behind the Ontake Distillery is Nishi Shuzo Co., Ltd., which has produced shochu in Satsuma since its foundation in 1845. Under Yoichiro Nishi's leadership, the company began whisky production in 2019. The distillery lies in Kagoshima Prefecture, in the centre of the Satsuma Peninsula, at an altitude of around 400 metres, overlooking Kinko Bay and the Sakurajima volcano.

The site remains relatively cool even during the hot season, providing suitable conditions for maturation. Naturally soft water emerges from a depth of around 300 metres. For the First Edition, Nishi Shuzo combines this water with selected barley, its own yeast culture and carefully chosen sherry casks.

Facts: