Kurayoshi 12 Year Pure Malt 750ML

Kurayoshi 12 Year Pure Malt 750ML is a Japanese blended malt whisky bottled at 43% ABV in a 750ml bottle, aged a minimum of twelve years in ex-bourbon white oak barrels. This expression earned a Grand Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, signaling serious quality from a producer that has quickly gained international attention.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: Tottori Prefecture, Japan  |  12 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Matsui Shuzo

Production & Heritage

Matsui Shuzo, founded in 1910 in the town of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture, originally produced shochu and sake before turning its focus to whisky. The Kurayoshi 12 Year Pure Malt — "pure malt" being the Japanese industry term for blended malt — incorporates whiskies sourced from Scottish distilleries alongside Japanese-produced malt whisky, all matured for at least twelve years in ex-bourbon white oak casks. A defining element of production is the use of naturally filtered water drawn from the volcanic stone aquifers of Mount Daisen, a dormant stratovolcano in western Tottori. This mineral-rich water contributes to the whisky's notably soft and rounded character, distinguishing it from blended malts relying solely on standard water sources.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fragrant mixed nuts — almonds foremost — before giving way to a heavy, clean malt aroma. Beneath those top notes sit layers of vanilla and dried raisins, with a faint wisp of smokiness detectable on deeper inspection.

Taste: Entry is gentle and malt-forward, with vanilla and hazelnut arriving early on the palate. A subtle brininess emerges at mid-palate, adding unexpected complexity to what initially reads as a straightforward bourbon-cask profile. The balance between tart and sweet registers as particularly well-calibrated, never leaning too heavily in either direction.

Finish: The finish is soft, smooth, and moderate in length, with lingering impressions of toasted nuts and a whisper of smoke. A mild sweetness persists at the tail end, making the final impression inviting rather than demanding.

How to Drink Kurayoshi 12

This whisky drinks well neat, where its delicate nut and vanilla character comes through cleanly. A few drops of water or a single large ice cube can open the briny mid-palate notes further without drowning the softer aromatics.

• Highball: The malt sweetness and gentle smoke hold up beautifully with chilled soda water, making a refined Japanese-style highball — the traditional serve that highlights rather than masks lighter whiskies.
• Rob Roy: Vanilla and dried fruit notes pair naturally with sweet vermouth, creating a malt-driven variation on this classic cocktail.
• Penicillin: The faint smokiness provides a natural foundation, complementing the honey-ginger-lemon profile without requiring a heavily peated whisky.

Best For

• Gifting a whisky enthusiast exploring Japanese whisky beyond the major houses
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cheese course
• Building a Japanese whisky collection at the aged-statement tier
• Introducing Scotch drinkers to the Japanese blended malt style

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kurayoshi 12 taste like? Kurayoshi 12 Year Pure Malt delivers a gentle, malt-driven profile led by vanilla, toasted almonds, and hazelnut, with a subtle brininess and faint smokiness that add complexity without overpowering the palate.

How does Kurayoshi 12 compare to Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt? Both are Japanese blended malts, but Kurayoshi 12 carries a twelve-year age statement and leans heavily on bourbon-cask maturation with a nutty, vanilla-forward profile. Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt is a no-age-statement expression produced entirely from Nikka's own Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, typically offering more pronounced fruity and slightly smoky character.

Is Kurayoshi 12 good for sipping neat? Yes — its soft texture, moderate 43% ABV, and balanced sweetness make it approachable and rewarding as a neat pour, particularly for those who favor gentle, malt-forward whiskies over big, bold styles.

Where is Kurayoshi 12 made? It is produced and bottled by Matsui Shuzo at their facility in the town of Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, on the western coast of Japan's Honshu island. The whisky incorporates malt whiskies sourced from Scottish distilleries alongside Japanese-produced components.

What foods pair well with Kurayoshi 12? Grilled salmon or trout benefits from the whisky's brininess. Aged Gouda or Comté cheese echoes the nutty, caramelized notes. Almond biscotti mirrors the dominant nut character. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off both the sweetness and subtle salinity. Lightly smoked duck or chicken complements the faint smoke on the finish.

What sizes does Kurayoshi 12 come in? The standard retail size is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format internationally.

Is Kurayoshi 12 worth the price? Kurayoshi 12 positions in the mid-premium tier of Japanese whisky, offering a verifiable twelve-year age statement at a time when many Japanese producers have dropped age statements entirely due to stock shortages. Its international awards — including Grand Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition — reinforce strong value relative to other aged Japanese expressions.

Why Kurayoshi 12?

In a market where aged Japanese whisky with verifiable age statements has become increasingly scarce and expensive, Kurayoshi 12 Year Pure Malt occupies a meaningful niche. Its use of Mount Daisen volcanic stone-filtered water is not a marketing flourish — it is a measurable production variable that contributes to the whisky's distinctively soft mouthfeel. The Grand Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold from the International Spirits Challenge reflect consistent recognition from major international judging panels. For drinkers seeking a twelve-year blended malt that bridges Speyside-style approachability with Japanese attention to water quality and balance, this bottle makes a credible and well-documented case for itself.