Matsui Shuzo The Kurayoshi 18 Years Old

The Kurayoshi 18 Years Old cask strength in its travel-retail presentation is produced by Matsui Shuzo in Tottori prefecture and bottled at 50% from Ex-Bourbon casks. The travel-retail release shares the same age statement as the European market version but shows a distinctly darker, more oxidative flavour profile, pointing to cask variation within the range. Kurayoshi expressions have historically drawn on sourced malt as well as house production.

Leather, dark chocolate and dried fruit anchor this bottling, suggesting casks that have taken on more colour and tannin over the eighteen-year maturation period. The cask strength 50% gives warmth and structure, with the chocolate and leather notes persisting on a long, mildly drying finish. There is less fresh-fruit brightness here than in the European counterpart, giving a more contemplative, mature character. A dark and characterful 18 Years Old from Tottori.