Matsui Shuzo The Kurayoshi Year of the Snake

The Kurayoshi Year of the Snake is a 2025 limited release by Matsui Shuzo in Tottori prefecture, part of the distillery's annual Chinese zodiac series marking each year's sign. Bottled at 43% from Ex-Bourbon maturation for the Japanese domestic market, it is presented as a single malt, distinguishing it from the multi-malt Kurayoshi blended malt expressions in the same range. No age statement is given.

Ex-Bourbon cask maturation delivers the house's familiar vanilla and orchard fruit character, lightly sweetened by the American oak with a clean, cereal-tinged finish. The zodiac-series releases are designed as collectible annual expressions rather than standard range bottlings, and the Year of the Snake presentation reflects that positioning. A soft and approachable single malt from Tottori, anchored by the light sweetness and fresh fruit notes typical of the Matsui Shuzo house style.