Saburomaru V The Hierophant - 2021/2024 - Cask Strength Heavily Peated

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 60% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

The limited cask-strength version of Saburomaru V The Hierophant is based on spirit distilled in 2021 from heavily peated malt. It was released in 2024 at 60%, with an outturn of 2,100 bottles. Its name refers to Tarot card V, The Hierophant.

For its 2021 spirit, the distillery combined matured ale yeast with fresh whisky yeast. This combination produces mature, concentrated aromas and a rounded, powerful spirit with greater complexity and body. In this bottling, smoke and acidity combine with an oily roundness.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose presents powerful new wood and distinct smoke, accompanied by menthol, nori, lemon peel, cured ham and a touch of glowing wood embers.
• Palate: The whisky is rounded and oily on the palate, with acidity, clean smoke, seaweed, malty sweetness and tea candy shaping the flavour.
• Finish: The long, powerful finish combines black pepper and menthol with wood and smoke.

Distillery/Bottler:

Saburomaru Distillery is located in Tonami, Toyama Prefecture, and is part of Wakatsuru Shuzo Co., Ltd. The company began making sake in 1862 and has produced whisky since 1952. Following extensive renovations, the distillery began operating in its present form in 2017.

Saburomaru focuses particularly on smoky whiskies and combines this approach with technical innovation. One example is ZEMON, a cast pot still made from a copper-tin alloy and developed in 2019 together with the bell foundry Oigo Seisakusho. Since 2021, the distillery has also used matured ale yeast alongside whisky yeast to enhance the spirit’s complexity and body.

Facts: