Founded in 1952, Kumesen Syuzo started on distilling Awamori which is a distilled alcoholic beverage indigenously made with Indica rice and unique to the Okinawa islands of Japan, also known as the Ryuku islands. Then around 1989, this innovative distillery started to age Awamori in oak barrels, creating a unique kind of ji-whisky in its own category, thus named it the Ryukyu Whisky. With 17 years maturing in bourbon casks, Meiyo 17 as a single grain whisky made entirely of rice provides a wonderful taste profile that has distinguished itself from its malt counterparts and creates a refreshing choice for adventurous spirits lovers that crave innovation.
Even though Meiyo Single Grain Whisky 17 Year Old is made from Indica rice, it is NOT a rice Wine and it is NOT Saki. It is a special, flavour rice treated like any other premium grain used in Whisky-making. The Spirit is then aged for a full seventeen years in ex-Bourbon barrels and we think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the flavorful results. If you have been following the rise of Japanese Whiskies, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot… literally.
