Wakatsuru Saburomaru Junenmyo Rouge Japanese Whisky

Wakatsuru Saburomaru Junenmyo Rouge is a distinctive blended Japanese whisky produced by the Wakatsuru Saburomaru Distillery in the Toyama Prefecture. The Saburomaru Distillery is famously the only distillery in the Hokuriku region and is renowned for its traditional use of a cast-iron pot still, named "Zemon," which is a rarity in modern distilling. The "Junenmyo" name is an homage to a local village near the distillery once famous for its vast canola fields used for lamp oil; the whisky is intended to "warm the heart like a gentle lamp light." The Rouge expression is a carefully crafted blend of peated malt from Saburomaru and aged grain whiskies.

Spirit Description

This whisky presents a pale gold colour with warm highlights. The nose is characterized by a refined balance of gentle coastal smoke and earthy peat, followed by sweet layers of honey, malted barley, and lightly toasted grains. On the palate, it delivers a bold and impactful first impression of ashy peat and smouldering embers, which quickly mellows into smooth flavours of caramel, vanilla, and candied orange peel. The mouthfeel is notably silky with a maritime saltiness and a subtle herbal bitterness. The finish is medium-long and balanced, leaving a lingering warmth of sweet malt and refined wood smoke. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is composed of a blend containing over 50% malt whisky.