First Class Whiskey Flight

Whisk(e)y has always traveled. Techniques cross borders, casks carry influence, and regional traditions keep evolving. This collection explores three expressions that honor heritage while pushing the category in exciting directions.

Kujira Kyojin Okinawa Whisky comes from Masahiro Distillery, a revered producer with over 138 years of heritage in Okinawa. Made from Indica rice and aged for three years in American white oak barrels, this whisky carries the spirit of its tropical climate. Expect bold layers of white chocolate, dark fruit, roasted nuts, and tropical spice. It’s a rich, rice-based expression shaped by island air and mythic scale.

WhistlePig 12 Year Old World Rye is where Canadian rye meets European elegance. This high rye mash bill is finished in a blend of Madeira (63%), Sauternes (30%), and Port (7%) casks for a layered symphony of stone fruit, oak, dark chocolate, and butterscotch. Wine lovers and rye fans alike will find a smooth, complex sipper aged to perfection.

Powers Gold Label anchors the lineup with classic Irish characters. Since 1791, Powers has stood for robust, spice-driven whiskey, and this expression remains a benchmark of honeyed malt, orchard fruit, pepper, and toasted oak. It shows why tradition still matters in a changing whiskey world.

Together these pours trace a new map of whisky, where Japan, Canada, and Ireland meet through grain, cask, and craft.
 

SMARTASS CORNER

1. Kujira stands apart from most Japanese whiskies by using Indica rice instead of malted barley.

2. Okinawa’s subtropical climate accelerates maturation, intensifying oak influence in less time.

3. Masahiro Distillery traces back more than 138 years.

4. WhistlePig sources rye from both Canada and the U.S. while also distilling at its Vermont farm.

5. Madeira, Sauternes, and Port casks contribute layers of fruit, sweetness, and depth to Old World Rye.

6. Powers Gold Label helped define a bold, spice-forward Irish house style.

7. Irish single pot still whiskey is one of Ireland’s oldest whiskey traditions.

8. Irish whiskey was the world’s best-selling whiskey in the 19th century.