Kuju Distillery | Single Malt Kuju sora 2025 | 50% ABV | 700ml

A once-a-year single malt release arriving from the foothills of the Kuju Mountain Range in Oita.

■ About Kuju Distillery

Established in 2021 at the base of the Kuju Mountain Range in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Kuju Distillery is a young producer whose history is only beginning to unfold. Grounded by the cool, high-altitude plateau climate and pristine water filtered through the surrounding peaks, the distillery has quietly laid down its spirit. While the maturation story is in its early chapters, the quality of Kuju's new-make and young aged spirits has already captured the attention of Japanese whisky connoisseurs.

■ About the "sora" Series

"sora" (meaning "sky" in Japanese) is an annual single malt series from Kuju Distillery. The underlying theme is "The Sky over Kuju." Just as the color of the sky shifts depending on the season and the hour even when standing on the exact same ground, this series aims to express those transitions through the unique blending profile of each year's release.

As the inaugural bottling of the series, this expression captures a specific moment described by blender Mr. Takeishi: "The end of summer, just as the first hints of autumn enter the air and the sun begins to dip." While the distillery's previous release, "THE FIRST," focused on vibrant green and yellow fruit characteristics, "sora 2025" evokes an image of a "somewhat dry, dusky orange." It embodies the density of ripening fruit combined with the warmth of the earth at twilight, captured entirely within the glass.

■ Tasting Profile

This expression is a meticulous blend of multiple aged casks, including peated malt components that impart a subtle, smoky character.

On the nose, rich and ripe fruit aromas reminiscent of orange and apricot emerge first. Upon the entry, this sweet fruitiness spreads across the palate, followed closely by a slow, layered emergence of smoke from the background. The peat profile is gentle, evoking sun-baked earth and dry grass. The brightness of the fruit and the shadows of the smoke dissolve into a single landscape, giving way to a long, enduring finish.

Bottled at 50% ABV, the spirit shows no aggressive edges, presenting a more settled, harmonious, and rounded composition compared to the distillery's previous release.

■ Serving Suggestions

Begin with a small pour served neat near room temperature, allowing the layers of aroma to unfold gradually in the glass. After assessing the initial profile, add a few drops of water at room temperature. This relaxes the alcohol integration, further releasing hidden fruit elements. For a post-dinner serve, enjoying it over a large piece of ice is highly recommended; as the ice slowly melts, the smokiness softens, allowing the fruit characteristics to step forward.

■ Specifications

• Product Name: Single Malt Kuju sora 2025

• Distillery: Kuju Distillery (Oita Prefecture)

• Type: Single Malt (A blend featuring peated malt components)

• ABV: 50%

• Volume: 700ml

Note: Tasting notes represent a single assessment; flavor profiles may evolve based on storage conditions and oxidation after opening. Sale of alcohol to individuals under the age of 20 is strictly prohibited by law.