Available in the Members Bar
A Japanese Whisky Rooted in Harmony and Innovation
In the quiet hills of Togouchi, a small town nestled in Hiroshima Prefecture, whisky rests in an unlikely sanctuary, an abandoned railway tunnel, hidden deep in the forest. Once meant for trains, the tunnel now cradles casks of aging spirit, maturing in the gentle stillness of its cool, humid air.
This is the home of Togouchi Whisky, a label by the Chugoku Jozo Distillery, founded in 1918. Originally a sake and shochu producer, Chugoku Jozo took a bold turn in the 1990s, blending imported Scotch malt and Canadian grain whiskies—then aging them in Japan. Over time, they evolved from international blends to a more distinctly Japanese expression of whisky.
After blending, the whisky is finished in ex-sake casks, which once held rich, umami-laden Japanese rice wine. This finishing step infuses the whisky with delicate notes that reflect both the heritage of sake brewing and the subtlety of Japanese craftsmanship.
One of the most inventive outcomes of that journey is the Togouchi Sake Cask Finish.
Nose: A soft, floral bouquet with notes of steamed rice, white peach, and pear. A touch of green tea and sweet oak in the background.
Palate: Smooth and clean, with flavours of lychee, vanilla custard, and rice pudding. There’s a sake-like umami richness, balanced with gentle citrus and almond.
Finish: Light and refined, lingering notes of fresh grain, white chocolate, and a whisper of cedar.
Style: Elegant and subtly complex, this whisky is an ideal crossover for both whisky and sake lovers. Best enjoyed neat or with a drop of water to open up its layers.
Togouchi’s Sake Cask Finish isn’t just a whisky, it’s a quiet story of Japanese ingenuity, told through aroma and taste. It stands apart not through intensity, but through balance, subtlety, and a reverence for both tradition and transformation. Enjoy a sip of it at the Members Bar!
