Ohishi Sherry Single Cask Whisky

Japanese single malt elegance.

Ohishi is a hidden Japanese gem nestled in the mountainous countryside, along with the banks of the Kuma River, one of Japan’s fastest flowing rivers, also known for its pristine water quality. The family-run operation was established in 1872.

It may come as no surprise that Ohishi are known first and foremost for their Sake & Shochu, but they also craft one hell of a rice Whisky. Ohishi swaps barley for rice to craft their single malts, and they grow a unique strain of rice for production called “gohyakumanishi” (5 million stones) and use koi to cultivate their crop.

The Whisky is distilled in traditional Japanese stainless steel pot stills before getting some beauty rest in ex-sherry and brandy casks, in the mountainous Japanese countryside. Being aged at such high altitudes yields an elegant Sherry symphony.

This Ohishi Sherry Cask is a blend of casks anywhere from 3 to 25 years old. Expect notes of dried tropical fruit, toasted hazelnut, golden raisins, and sweet marzipan. It’s quite the Japanese sensation too, earning itself “92 Excellent, Highly Recommended” from the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2017, and “92 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended” for the Japanese Whisky category at the USC Awards.