History

Matsui Shuzo is a Japanese company producing whisky in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture. Founded in 1910 and located northwest of Kyoto on the coast of Japan facing the Sea of Japan, the house has a long tradition of producing whiskies in Japan and expanding into gin and ume-shu. Kurayoshi Distillery is named after the town of Kurayoshi; the name derives from the term kurashiyoshi, meaning good life. Matsui Shuzo initially focused on blending and maturation and later became actively involved in whisky distillation with a license in 2015. Kurayoshi Distillery produces Japanese single malts in-house and participates in selecting blends by sourcing malt- and grain-whiskies from Japanese partners. The water used to proof the whisky is Mount Daisen’s mineral-rich water, naturally filtered through volcanic soil. Matsui has two Japanese copper pot stills with adjustable lyne arms for whisky production and three Portuguese alembic stills, now primarily used for gin and brandy. An important part of Matsui’s philosophy is the use of 100% Japanese-distilled whisky and a strong emphasis on blending and maturation as the core of their house style.

Production/Manufacturing

Matsui uses mineral-rich water from Mount Daisen to proof all expressions. The distillery is equipped with two Japanese copper pot stills with adjustable lyne arms for whisky production and three Portuguese alembic stills, which are now primarily used for gin and brandy. The production includes both own single malts and blended whiskies as well as pure malt and blended malts through partnerships in Japan. No ecological information is mentioned, but no additives or colorants are mentioned in any of the products, and the whisky is not chill-filtered on several expressions. The bottlings include maturation in white oak as well as various types of cask finishes, including ex-bourbon, sakura and mizunara cask, giving a wide range of flavor profiles from fruity and floral to more spicy and leathery notes.

Products/Whisky Series

• Blended Whisky 'The San-In' (Kurayoshi Distillery) – 40% ABV. A blend of Matsui’s own single malts and source grain whiskies, aged in white oak and proofed with Mount Daisen water. Notes: dried peaches in porridge oats and poached pears, with thyme, toasted bread and a touch of apricot and lime. Award-winning (SF World Spirits Competition 2020; International Spirits Challenge 2020).
• Blended Whisky 'The San-In Ex-Bourbon Barrel' – 43% ABV. A variant of The San-In in ex-bourbon oak, with a confectionery-note profile and a sweet, candy-like character. Award-winning (ISC 2021).
• Blended Whisky, 'The Tottori' – 43% ABV. Malt- and grain-blend without an age statement: up to 5 years, proofed with Mount Daisen water, not-chill-filtered; notes of malt, red apple, cocoa and a fruity finish. Recipient of Double Gold at SF World Spirits Competition 2022.
• Blended Whisky, 'The Tottori - Ex-Bourbon Cask' – 43% ABV. A blend of Matsui’s own malt and grain, aged in ex-bourbon casks and with a nose of grilled corn, cherry and arugula, followed by a spicy, warm finish.
• Blended Whisky, 'The Tottori - Sakura Cask' – 40% ABV. Aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in sakura (cherry wood) cask; notes of sandalwood, cherry blossom and cocoa powder; sweet palate with vanilla and soft tannins.
• Malt Whisky, 'Kurayoshi' 8 Year – 43% ABV. 100% Japanese-distilled malt, aged at least 8 years in ex-bourbon casks; notes of nuts, honey, toffee and spices; not-chill-filtered.
• Malt Whisky, 'Kurayoshi' 12 Year – 43% ABV. 100% malt, at least 12 years in ex-bourbon casks; notes of grain and fruit, with a lively finish of roasted apricots and hazelnuts.
• Malt Whisky, 'Kurayoshi' 18 Year – 43% ABV. Aged for almost two decades, with notes of leather and dried grains, spicy and oaky.
• Pure Malt Whisky, 'Kurayoshi 4' – 3+ years in ex-bourbon casks; 100% Japanese-distilled malt; notes of nuts, figs and vanilla; not-chill-filtered.
• Single Malt Whisky, 'Mizunara' – 43% ABV. Rested in Mizunara (Japanese sandalwood) casks; notes of candied pineapple, palo santo and dried fruit; finish with tropical fruits and spices; not-chill-filtered.
• Single Malt Whisky, 'Sakura' – 43% ABV. Rested in Sakura-cask; notes of strawberry, apple and cherry blossom; floral and fruity notes with oak tannins.
• Single Malt Whisky, 'Peated' – 43% ABV. Peated single malt; notes of leather, smoke and spices; balanced with fruit and wood.
• Non-chill-filtered selections and other curated products such as 'Sakura', Mizunara and Peated are also available as 200 ml sets and other configurations; all are non-chill-filtered and without colorants.

Note: In addition to whiskies, Matsui also produces gin and ume-shu (plum liqueur) under the Kurayoshi Distillery label, but these products are described primarily outside the whisky portfolio.