- Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025
- Participation fee
- Entrance waiting line
- Introduction of brands sampled
- 1st cup: Shinanoya Meadowside 25 Years Sherry Butt Marriage
- 2nd cup: Shinanoya Purple Haze Cuban Rum 1993
- 3rd cup: ACORN Komagatake 2018-2024 6th year
- 4th cup: Comaspi Romero & Sons #80
- 5th cup: Comaspi Romero & Sons #22
- 6th cup: Single Cask x Asaya Shoten Glen Elgin 2009 15 years
- 7th glass: Chichibu Whiskey Festival 2023 Dornoch 2019-2024 5 years
- 8th cup: Rudder×WHISKYFIND Ben Nevis 1997-2024 27 years
- 9th glass: Whiskey Sponge Springbank 24 Years
- 10th cup: MYAOI GIN Hiroshima
- 11th drink: Shinanoya Glenfarclas 2010-2023 Bar Ko
- 12th glass: Water Dragon Dry Gin
- 13th cup: Water Dragon New Pot
- 14th cup: Water Dragon Newborn aged for 10 months
- 15th cup: MYAOI Embrese-moi
- 16th cup: JINBOCHO GIN SHOT STORY
- 17th cup: Nagahama The FIFTH BATCH
- 18th cup: Tsunuki 2025Edition
- 19th cup: ePower Secret Islay 15 years
- 20th glass: Tatsumi Distillery Osmanthus Gin
- 21st Cup: Miaojiam Shiki Cooley 2002 20
- 22nd Cup: Compagnie Dessent Jamaica 5 Years
- 23rd Cup: RUM NATION Jamaica 5 Years
- Impressions
- Purchased product introduction
- Finally
- YouTube
Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025
This time, I participated in Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025, the first whiskey event of 2025, and I would like to introduce you to the event.
The event was held on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
Participation fee
Tickets are only sold in advance; there are no same-day tickets.
Tickets go on sale around November, but they don't sell out right away, but I get the impression that the number of tickets decreases and is almost sold out one to two weeks before the event.
So I think it's a good idea to buy it as soon as it's convenient.
Entrance waiting line
We arrived at Fukiage Hall, the event venue, around 10:45.
Doors opened at 11:00, but there were already more than 500 people, and I heard that the first people in line had been in line since 3:00.
I was able to enter the venue around 11:10.
Introduction of brands sampled
Now, I would like to introduce all the brands that I drank this time.
1st cup: Shinanoya Meadowside 25 Years Sherry Butt Marriage
Although it is a blended bottle, it has become a hot topic on social media due to its cost performance of about 20,000 yen for 25 years.
I felt the bitterness and astringency of the sherry barrel at the front.
I couldn't get the blended taste after a short time, so I think I'll need to drink it at a bar later.
It was also released in 1937, but I couldn't get a hold of it even in 25, so I didn't sample it this time.
I think I'll try this at a bar later.
2nd cup: Shinanoya Purple Haze Cuban Rum 1993
It's not whiskey, it's rum.
This is a Cuban rum that has been aged for 30 years.
Outturn is a small number of 120 bottles, so even if I couldn't buy it, I wanted to drink it.
There was coffee, brown sugar, and slightly tropical elements behind the ethereal atmosphere.
There were parts that didn't really feel like Purple Haze, but I was able to drink it anyway, so it's OK.
3rd cup: ACORN Komagatake 2018-2024 6th year
This is a private bottle released at ACORN's booth to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the store Whiskey Plus.
The white grape-like fruitiness and the ginger-like nuance from the second half to the aftertaste were impressive.
4th cup: Comaspi Romero & Sons #80
Image right
It's not whiskey, it's rum.
There is no ethereal taste, you can feel the brown sugar and the tropics, giving the impression that you are drinking long-aged rum.
5th cup: Comaspi Romero & Sons #22
Image left
This is also rum, not whisky.
This is a bottle that has the taste of an old, long-aged Speyside wine.
It's true that the tropical elements have a rustic feel and are a little far from the rum-like impression, but the brown sugar taste in the latter half still feels like rum.
I think it's an interesting book.
6th cup: Single Cask x Asaya Shoten Glen Elgin 2009 15 years
It has green apple, herbal flowers, and a ginger-like freshness and stimulation from the second half on the finish.It's delicious, so I'd buy it.
Or rather, I bought it.
Since there were few outturns, I thought there was a possibility that I wouldn't be able to buy it in the latter half of the event, so I decided to buy it right away.
7th glass: Chichibu Whiskey Festival 2023 Dornoch 2019-2024 5 years
Last year's Chichibu Whiskey 2024 event limited bottle.
This is the bottle that I thought was the most delicious among the ones released last year, and I would have bought it if possible. .
I was not selected in the lottery and was unable to purchase it.
I drank it again, and it was a very delicious bottle with passion fruit on the palate and a tropical impression on the finish.
This year's ``Chichibu Whiskey Festival 2025”, so we are looking forward to the event-limited bottle.
8th cup: Rudder×WHISKYFIND Ben Nevis 1997-2024 27 years
This is a bottle of Ben Nevis distilled in 1997, which is one year different from 96, which is called a winning year.
It is said that the grassiness comes out around 97 or 98, but this one gave me a tropical impression, similar to 96.
Personally, I like bourbon barrels, so if this was a bourbon barrel, I would have definitely bought it.
9th glass: Whiskey Sponge Springbank 24 Years
I think there are many people who don't like it because it has a bit of a sulfur element.
The bonito stock and soy sauce gave it an impression of soba soup, and a slight strawberry flavor typical of Bank.
Personally, it was one that I didn't dislike.
10th cup: MYAOI GIN Hiroshima
I met with X's followers, or should I say YouTube viewers, and received some Hiroshima-limited MYAOI gin.
The botanicals are very reminiscent of Hiroshima, so it was a really interesting drink.
11th drink: Shinanoya Glenfarclas 2010-2023 Bar Ko
The sherry had a nice texture, and I could feel the strength of the far class and it was delicious.
I had the impression that Farclas, which has a short age, had a harsh alcohol attack and was difficult to drink, but this one, which has been aged for about 13 years, had no alcohol attack and its goodness shined through.
The price is 30,000 yen per bottle, which is high considering its age, but I think it's a good buy.
I would like to keep an eye on the other 2010 distilled fur classes.
12th glass: Water Dragon Dry Gin
It's not whiskey, it's gin.
This was a bottle with a strong citrus flavor.
Gin soda and gin tonic seemed to go well with the hot weather.
13th cup: Water Dragon New Pot
I got a strong impression of lactic acid.
14th cup: Water Dragon Newborn aged for 10 months
It's said to be a bourbon style, but I didn't feel the spiciness or sweetness of bourbon, and I got the impression that it had a stronger taste from the barrels in which the Newpot I drank earlier had been aged.
The distillery is located in Mishima and can be reached in just over 10 minutes on foot from the station.
The Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi does not stop at Mishima Station, but some Hikari and Kodama trains do, so it's relatively easy to access, so I'd like to visit it next time.
15th cup: MYAOI Embrese-moi
It's not whiskey, it's gin.
A gin that uses white peach as a botanical.
Last year in December 2024, “Whiskey Festival 2024 in Tokyo'But I've had it before and I'm not sure whether to buy it or not, so I decided to try it again.
It was delicious, so I think I'll buy it again.
16th cup: JINBOCHO GIN SHOT STORY
Jimbocho is a town of used books.
This is a gin that smells like books.
It certainly gave the impression of being papery, as was the case with the Hiroshima I received earlier, but I thought gin was interesting because it allowed you to create something completely different.
17th cup: Nagahama The FIFTH BATCH
I got the impression that the taste of honey and sherry were noticeable.
I've probably never drunk Nagahama's single cask before, so I don't know the characteristics of the original sake itself. .
When you drink something that has been vatted, it has a characteristic that makes you think it's Nagahama, and I felt that again this time.
18th cup: Tsunuki 2025Edition
This is one that was recently released.
I think it comes together beautifully with a hint of peat and a hint of fruit.
Tsunuki's single cask has a banana-like element, and I think this is also appearing in the official product.
They say it's getting better every year, and I think it's even more delicious than the 2024 Edition, so I'm looking forward to seeing it continue to evolve next year.
19th cup: ePower Secret Islay 15 years
It's a secret Islay, but the contents are Ardbeg.
It had the powerful feel typical of Ardbeg and the peat iodine was still there, so it really gave the impression that it was Ardbeg 15 years old.
I think this is a delicious bottle of Ardbeg from Bottler's. .
Ardbeg has a very high level of official perfection.
So, to be honest, considering the official extension of Ardbeg 15 years, Ardbeg TEN would be better due to the price difference. .
20th glass: Tatsumi Distillery Osmanthus Gin
Tatsumi Distillery is a very popular distillery and it is difficult to purchase normally, but Whiskey Lovers Nagoya has a booth set up where you can drink it.
As the name suggests, I could really feel the nuances of Osmanthus.
I think I like Osmanthus because I use Muji Osmanthus bath salts at home, so I think I'll try collecting Osmanthus-based gins.
21st Cup: Miaojiam Shiki Cooley 2002 20
Coolie is an Irishman who is known as the year of success in 2002.
The citrus nuances like orange and the creaminess were well expressed.
It costs 60,000 yen per bottle, but it's delicious, so I'd buy it if I could afford it.
22nd Cup: Compagnie Dessent Jamaica 5 Years
It's not whiskey, it's rum.
It was aged for 5 years, but it was full of ester aroma, brown sugar, and rum-like elements.
I've only had short-ripened rums that are about 7 or 8 years old, but even 5-year-old rums have this kind of flavor.
23rd Cup: RUM NATION Jamaica 5 Years
This is also rum, not whisky.
It is also aged for 5 years in Jamaica.
This one didn't have an ester scent, and you could really feel the brown sugar and fruit.
The price is around 7,000 yen, so I learned that you can get this kind of flavor even at this price.
Impressions
I think the excitement and lineup was befitting the first whiskey event of 2025.
No matter what genre you look at, there will be a large number of booths, from new Japanese distilleries to major companies, Scotch importers, bottlers, and bar booths, and I think it's an event that everyone from beginners to intermediates to advanced can enjoy.
Last year, there was no water for sale, so I had to go to a convenience store after drinking the first bottle of water that was offered to me, but this year it was on sale, so I think the problem has been improved.
I also think that over the years I have become more concerned about the crowds, especially at the Japanese whiskey booth. .
Purchased product introduction
I purchased several bottles for this event, so I would like to introduce them to you.
1st: ACORN Komagatake 2018-2024 6th year
I was able to purchase it after tasting it, and I liked the white grape-like nuances, so I bought it.
The same goes for the Whiskey Plus Ikebukuro store, and you can also purchase it online, so we hope to continue to support you.
2nd bottle: Single Cask x Asaya Shoten Glen Elgin 2009 15 years
I tried it and it was delicious, so I bought it.
I ordered this on the day of the event, and although the event was on Sunday, it arrived on Tuesday, so I'm grateful for the extremely fast delivery.
I was glad that I had one that could really taste the green apple.
We look forward to future releases.
3rd bottle: Whiskey Nagoya 2025 Saburomaru Boso Rum Cask Finish
This is a limited edition bottle for the Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025 event.
There was a preliminary lottery, and I was able to win and purchase it.
Saburomaru's blended whisky.
This time it's a rum cask aged in rum barrels from the Boso Oigura Distillery in Chiba Prefecture.
Last year 2024 also had a grappa cask finish, so I think it is unique to use rare barrels for event-limited wines.
I've been liking rum lately, so I'm going to enjoy drinking it.
4th bottle: Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025 Togouchi Bourbon Barrel
This is a limited edition bottle for the Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025 event.
There was a preliminary lottery, and I was able to win and purchase it.
Sakurao is produced at the Sakurao Distillery and aged in a storage room on the premises, while Togouchi is released after aging in a tunnel.
Inside a tunnel is a special environment.
Depending on the season, the humidity can reach 100%, and it is characterized by the natural addition of water, which absorbs a lot of water and easily lowers the alcohol content.
Zara says that other single cask releases from Togouchi are less than 50% aged for 5 years.
However, this one is aged for 4 years, but I think it's an interesting one because it is made in Togouchi and has a high alcohol content of 57%.
There were three Japanese whiskeys that were entered into the preliminary lottery: Saburomaru Blended, Asaka, and Togouchi, and two of them were chosen, showing off how lucky we are to start the new year.
The lottery for Whiskey Lovers Nagoya seems to be a real lottery, so some people win three bottles, while others lose all of them, so it's like a real game of luck.
I am very grateful that I was able to win both of them.
By the way, Saburomaru's Blended and Sakurao won last year as well, so we hope to see you again next year.
However, advance lottery and advance payment are fine, but you have to pick it up on the same day. .
There is no cloakroom or shipping booth at the event venue, so you will have to carry it with you once you receive it.
A full bottle of whiskey is 700ml, and if you include the weight of the bottle, it weighs over 1kg, so it's a pain to keep carrying it to events. .
In addition, since I buy them during events, I end up with 3 or 4 of them, and I have to carry a weight of about 3kg to 4kg with me all the time.
My biceps will be sore the next day, so I think it would be helpful if the event-limited bottles could be delivered.
5th bottle: Tatsumi Distillery Tachibana Gin
This is a limited edition bottle for the Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2025 event.
Alcoholic beverages such as Tatsumi Distillery's gin are quite popular, and are as difficult to purchase as whiskeys such as Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, and Taketsuru.
However, Whiskey Lovers Nagoya sells it only at events, so you can purchase it.
This time's botanical is citrus, so it's a citrus-based gin.
I haven't opened the bottle yet, but I think gin soda would go well with citrus fruits, so I'm going to enjoy drinking it.
Finally
It was a great event and I hope to be able to participate again next year.
From now on, events will be held almost every month: Chichibu Whiskey Festival in February, Whiskey Station Hamamatsu in March, Whiskey Harbor Kobe and Whiskey & Spirits Festival in Yokohama in April, Barshow in May, and Whiskey Talk Fukuoka in June.
I hope to participate in as many whiskey events as possible.
Also, if you participate, I would be happy to introduce you in a video.
YouTube
