Yamazakura Pure Malt

Yamazakura Pure Malt is a no age statement blended malt from Sasanokawa Shuzo in Fukushima prefecture, bottled for the Japanese domestic market at 48%. The Pure Malt designation indicates an all-malt composition without grain whisky, though the blend may draw on more than one malt source given Sasanokawa Shuzo's long history of blending across its various stocks and supply relationships.

Matured in Ex-Bourbon casks, the profile is clean and approachable: citrus freshness, honey sweetness, malt extract and vanilla make up the core character, with the bourbon wood providing structure and a soft cereal warmth. At 48% it sits above the standard bottling strength, giving the malt-forward character a little more weight and persistence on the palate. A gentle, well-balanced expression that shows the Yamazakura range at its most honest and accessible.