Description

Ohishi Whisky is imported by the Georgia Royal Collection Inc. out of South San Francisco, California. The spirit is distilled and bottled at Ohishi Distillery located near the fast-flowing Kuma River in Japan. Unlike other whiskeys which have their production techniques firmly rooted in the Scotch single malt tradition, Ohishi utilizes malted and unmalted rice in lieu of malted barley. Rice can’t be malted in the same way as barley, so “malted” in this context often refers to rice inoculated with kome-koji, a mold also used in sake production. Specifically, gohyakumanishi rice is married with mochi rice in the mash bill, with the former grown while using koi fish as a form of chemical-free weed eradication.

Tasting Notes: Ohishi Whisky
Vital Stats: 42.9% ABV (85.8 proof), no age statement, distilled using malted and unmalted rice, available around $70-80 per 750 ml bottle.

Appearance: Mahogany. Medium legs. Darker than expected given the very dark green bottle.

Nose: Very warm, high alcohol presence. Much like a very young single malt. Notes of brown sugar and dried flowers.

Palate: Sweet on the front end, floral progressing through the finish. Flavors of black licorice candy and spiced gumdrops. A hint of clove. The finish is quite floral, somewhat reminiscent of some Speyside malts and high-rye bourbons. Medium burn. Bright and warm throughout the finish.