I had seen this range in Total Wine stores across the country, but had never had the chance to try them until the “Whisky on the Rocks” event in Las Vegas. Priced between $50 (for the “Grain Select”) and $1100 (for the 30 Year Single Grain), the majority of their line resides around $100-$150. And at that price, I was always leery of dropping that much money on something unfamiliar. But once I was able to taste through the line, and had that rare “Wow this is unique and flavorful!” moment, I knew I had to buy and review them for you. And while I enjoyed the Niigata Grain and Malt blends, it was the Okinawa side of things that really had me wowed! To better explain that, you just need to know that there are two lines in the Shibui brand, each named for the city of their main distillery source: the Niigata range and Okinawa range (which I’m reviewing).
The Niigata range includes:
• Shibui Grain Select-43% ABV, $50. A blend of Japanese and Scottish wheat grain whiskies, matured in bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak casks.
• Shibui Pure Malt-43%, $70. A blend of single malts from Japan and the Scottish Lowlands, matured in bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak casks.
• Shibui Pure Malt 10-year-old-43%, $140. A blend of single malts from Japan and the Scottish Lowlands, matured for at least 10 years in bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak casks.
The Okinawa range is all made from Thai indica rice, fermented with Okinawa's black koji, and includes:
• Shibui 8-year-old Single Grain-40% ABV, $146. Made at Shinzato Distillery and aged in manzanilla and fino sherry casks.
• Shibui 10-year-old White Oak Single Grain-43% ABV, $170. Made at Masahiro Distillery and aged in virgin European white oak casks.
• Shibui 10-year-old Bourbon Cask Single Grain-40% ABV, $170. Made at Shinzato Distillery and matured in ex-bourbon casks.
• Shibui 15-year-old Single Grain-43% ABV, $210. Made at Masahiro Distillery and matured in manzanilla and fino sherry casks.
• Shibui 18-year-old Sherry Oak Single Grain-40% ABV, $280. Made at Kumesen Distillery and matured in manzanilla and fino sherry casks.
• Shibui 23-year-old “Rare Cask Reserve” Single Grain-43% ABV, $800. Made at Kumesen Distillery and matured entirely in American ex-bourbon casks.
• Shibui 30-year-old Single Grain-43% ABV, $1100. Made at Masahiro Distillery and aged in ex-bourbon, sherry, and virgin European oak casks.
I wasn’t able to taste the 30-year Single Grain, but did taste everything else. For the money, the 10-year-olds are hard to beat, but if you have $200-$280 to get the 15 or 18, you won’t be disappointed. The ONE thing you need to know is that the koji inoculated rice imparts a big mushroom/earthy rancio tone across the entire Okinawa range. With that understood, you’ll also be greeted with beautiful notes of Madagascar vanilla beans soaked in butter cream, and exotic spices that harmonize perfectly with tropical fruits! Trust me, if you can deal with the mushroom note, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most flavorful and creamy whiskies your palates ever experienced. That’s why these Shibui Japanese Whiskies were named my “Japanese Whisky of the Year” for 2023!
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As of January 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our Special Editions are moving fast and winning awards! So, keep an eye out for our "Nobleman Rye", the White Port & Cognac finished Bourbon, and our Special Edition "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - 2023 New Orleans Spirit Competition! It won over a lot of really big names, and just goes to show that when you take the branding away, our Saints Alley whiskeys can stand on their own! Given my decades of consumer experience, you know I’m working hard with my team to bring you whiskeys that we’re all proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!