SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., September 18, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition awarded the coveted Double Gold Medal to Asaka Distillery’s Asaka Single Malt Japanese Whiskey, Aril Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Reserve and Suzuki Marketing announced today that Asaka single malt Japanese whiskey Bourbon Cask Reserve has been awarded a Silver Medal.
Photo Caption: Asaka Single Malt Japanese Whiskey. Bourbon Barrel Reserve, 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Medal. Aril Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Double Gold Medal Winner at the 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.
What makes these two whiskeys unique is that:
Distilled 100% from imported Scottish malt in the Miyake Japanese Stills in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (The distillery uses Japanese-made stills because Miyake, as a local company, can build stills that can survive Fukushima’s hot summers and cold winters.) Many Japanese whiskeys are blends of Japanese whiskey and imported whiskey Become. In 2015, Asaka committed itself to distilling all of its whiskey in Japan.
Not chill filtered – retaining all the flavor of the whiskey.
No added caramel color – Many distilleries add caramel color to create a uniform color for each batch. The color of Alpeng whiskey comes entirely from the barrels in which it is aged.
Bottled at cask (“Genshu”) strength. (“Genshu” is a sake term that indicates the sake is barrel-strength. Asaka uses the word “Genshu” to honor its sake heritage.)
About Asaka Single Malt Japanese Whiskey, Bourbon Cask Reserve (Silver Award)
Bourbon Cask Reserve whiskey is aged in bourbon barrels for three years and bottled at 61% alcohol by volume (122 proof). The color is light gold. Upon opening the bottle, aromas of dried citrus, vanilla, oak, and brown spice emerge. The palate is filled with flavors of dried figs, tangerines, tangerines and spices. The influence of the bourbon barrel treatment is present throughout, especially in the finish, recalling the best bourbons paired with Japanese sensibilities.
About Asaka Single Malt Japanese Whiskey, Aril Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Reserve (Double Gold Medal Winner)
Asaka Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Reserve is aged for three years in bourbon barrels and then for six months in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels at Aril Napa Valley Winery (https://www.arilwines.com/). Influenced by Cabernet Sauvignon barrel aging, the light golden color complements the garnet color. You’re greeted with aromas of dried citrus, vanilla, oak and brown spice, plus a layer of blackberry, plum, black pepper and violet that add significantly to the overall experience. Only 480 bottles of this whiskey will be produced, with a suggested retail price of $245.
Mark Cummins, winemaker at Aril Wines (arilwines.com) said: “Partnering with Asaka Distillery is an opportunity to bring together the rich tradition of California winemaking with the precision of Japanese whiskey production. By using French stocks of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Oak barrels, Asuka has created a product that pays homage to Napa Valley’s winemaking heritage and the whiskey distilling craft that the Yamaguchi family has honed for 77 years. We are very proud to be a part of it.”
Kyoji Yamaguchi, Representative Director of Sasanokawa/Asaka and the 10th generation family member involved in the business, said: “We are very honored and humbled by these awards. Our goal moving forward is to work harder to produce better whiskey. We hope Our whiskey makes people around the world feel happier every time they pour a glass. We look forward to letting people taste the next batch of whiskey we produce.”
Food recommendations
Both whiskeys can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks with a splash of water (“Mizuhara style”) to release aromas and flavors, or in a classic Japanese highball. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is also delicious as a New York Sour (with a red wine float on top), complementing the red wine influence in the whiskey.
Jose Delgado, wine director at Mourad Restaurant in San Francisco (mouradsf.com), was one of the first beverage directors to put Asaka whiskey on the menu. “Both Asaka whiskeys are my favorites to recommend to Mourad guests in San Francisco, who like them on the rocks,” he says. “The aroma of most super-premium whiskeys will weaken to varying degrees when the drinking temperature is too low. On the contrary, Asuka Whiskey will emit a distinctly rich aroma regardless of whether it is cold. The barrel alcohol content is 61% and 62% respectively, and the high-quality ice cubes The slow dilution makes Asaka duo one of the smoothest, most refreshing complex spirits.”
Quinton Jay is the owner of Bacchus Wine & Spirits (bacchusws.com) in Millbrae, Calif., and one of the largest purveyors of Japanese whiskey in the United States. He was one of the first retailers to put Alpeng whiskey on their shelves. “In a confusing and misleading Japanese whiskey market, Asaka Japanese Whiskey deserves prime position on our store shelves, especially because it embodies the authentic craftsmanship and tradition of Japanese whiskey making,” he said.
According to an August 2020 article in Nomunication (https://www.nomunication.jp/distillery/asaka/), Japan’s leading whiskey website, “Tohoku (northeast Japan) is known for hot summers and cold winters. As big as this The temperature fluctuations will respectively draw in more whiskey and then push it out of the wood. This is expected to give Asaka a greater cask influence than whiskeys of the same age from other distilleries in Japan.”
About Asaka Distillery
The history of Asaka Brewery dates back to 1765, when Sasanogawa Sake Brewery became the first sake brewery in the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan. In 1946, company president Tetsuo Yamaguchi realized that Allied occupying forces in the area preferred whiskey to sake. So he applied for and received Fukushima’s first distilling license and began selling cherry whiskey and Yamazakura brand whiskey. Incidentally, Asaka City is where Ichiro Akuto stocked and blended Ichiro’s Blend Card Series, which launched the iconic brand.
In 2015, the Yamaguchi family renewed their commitment to producing Japanese whiskey that is 100% distilled in Japan. In November 2016, the distillery reopened with new equipment and a commitment to produce Japanese whiskey using 100% imported Scotch malt.
Following the successful introduction of Sasanogawa sake in the United States, Suzuki Marketing Co. started importing Asaka whiskey to the United States in 2021. Founder and CEO Yuko Suzuki-Bischoff said: “After we launched Sasanogawa Sake in 2021, we were delighted to discover that the Yamaguchi family also makes amazing whiskey. They were also willing to listen to our ideas for the U.S. market, and worked with us to give it a serious try. They worked extremely hard and guided us through multiple barrel tastings to develop a whiskey that we are very proud of.”
About Suzuki Marketing
Suzuki-Marketing, Incorporated is headquartered in South San Francisco, California and was founded in 2004 by Yuko Suzuki. In addition to importing Japanese whiskey and sake, the company also imports ultra-premium Morizura shochu and Ogata Ranch Maezawa Wagyu beef. The company exports premium wines and spirits to Asia Pacific and provides marketing and distribution support throughout the region. Ms. Suzuki was the Asia Pacific Marketing Director of Gallo Wines and is a Japan Sommelier Guild Certified Wine Consultant, WSET Advanced Wine Specialist and Certified Wine Expert (Society of Wine Educators). https://suzukimarketing.com/
Media photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y47n9o9ppxxxtlaazjun4/AsakaWhisky2Shot_wMedals.jpg?rlkey=7r4r4kw59cxdo07u486pfqt9w&dl=0
Photo Caption: Asaka Single Malt Japanese Whiskey. Bourbon Barrel Reserve, 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Medal. Aril Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Double Gold Medal Winner at the 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.
news source: suzuki marketing co., ltd.
