Kurayoshi 8 Year Pure Malt 750ML

Kurayoshi 8 Year Pure Malt 750ML is an eight-year-aged Japanese blended malt whisky bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750ml bottle. A 2019 Gold Medal winner at the World Whisky Awards, this expression balances Scottish malt whisky with Japanese distillate, proofed using volcanic spring water from Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: Tottori Prefecture, Japan  |  Age: 8 Years  |  Distillery: Matsui Shuzo

Production & Heritage

Matsui Shuzo, based in Kurayoshi City in Tottori Prefecture along the San'in Coast of western Japan, has been producing spirits since 1910. The Kurayoshi 8 Year is classified as a "pure malt" — the Japanese industry term for blended malt whisky — composed entirely of malted barley whiskies sourced from Scottish distilleries and blended with Japanese malt whisky produced in-house. The blend is aged for a minimum of eight years in ex-bourbon white oak barrels, then proofed with spring water that has filtered for centuries through the volcanic stone of Mount Daisen, lending a distinctively soft mineral character to the final spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Honey and vanilla cream arrive first, followed by soft oak and light orchard fruit — primarily green apple. A gentle malty sweetness sits underneath, with faint floral hints developing as the whisky opens.

Taste: The entry is lightly tart with green apple brightness that quickly gives way to toffee and pear at mid-palate. Malt biscuit and white chocolate build toward a richer center, with a subtle spice note and traces of macadamia nut adding depth. Orange peel and pink peppercorn emerge on the back palate.

Finish: Medium in length, with fruity and gently drying characteristics. Toasted oak warmth lingers alongside a fading sweetness reminiscent of strawberry jam and a whisper of violet.

How to Drink Kurayoshi 8 Year

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding approach — water opens up the floral and fruit notes considerably. A single large ice cube also works well without drowning the malt character. For cocktails, try it in a Highball, where the green apple tartness pairs naturally with chilled soda water; a Whisky Sour, where the toffee and orchard fruit notes complement fresh citrus; or a Rob Roy, where the malt biscuit and vanilla backbone holds up against sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Exploring Japanese whisky beyond the major distillery houses
• Gifting a whisky enthusiast curious about blended malt styles
• Building a comparative tasting flight of Japanese and Scottish malts
• After-dinner sipping alongside light desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kurayoshi 8 Year taste like? Kurayoshi 8 Year delivers a profile centered on toffee, green apple, and malt biscuit, with supporting notes of vanilla, pear, and toasted oak. The volcanic spring water proofing gives it a notably soft, rounded texture.

How does Kurayoshi 8 Year compare to Hatozaki Pure Malt? Both are Japanese blended malts at a similar price tier, but the Kurayoshi 8 Year carries an age statement and tends to deliver a more generous and complex palate with deeper toffee and fruit character. Hatozaki's pure malt expression is a non-age-statement release with a lighter, more overtly grain-forward profile.

Is Kurayoshi 8 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — its moderate 43% ABV and soft texture make it very approachable neat, and the eight years of oak aging provide enough complexity to reward slow sipping without requiring water or ice.

Where is Kurayoshi 8 Year made? It is produced by Matsui Shuzo, located in Kurayoshi City in Tottori Prefecture on the western coast of Japan's Honshu island. The whisky incorporates malt distillate sourced from Scottish distilleries, blended with Japanese-produced malt whisky and proofed with local spring water from Mount Daisen.

What foods pair well with Kurayoshi 8 Year? Grilled white fish benefits from the whisky's apple tartness and soft oak; mild cheeses like young Gouda mirror its toffee and cream notes; dark chocolate truffles complement the white chocolate and vanilla undertones; tempura pairs well with its light fruit and malt character; and shortbread cookies echo the malt biscuit note on the palate.

What sizes does Kurayoshi 8 Year come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml format.

Is Kurayoshi 8 Year worth the price? Kurayoshi 8 Year positions as a mid-range Japanese blended malt, and its eight-year age statement gives it a concrete maturity claim that many competitors at similar price points lack. The 2019 World Whisky Awards Gold Medal supports its standing as a well-regarded expression in its tier.

Why Kurayoshi 8 Year?

In a category increasingly crowded with non-age-statement releases, the Kurayoshi 8 Year stands out by guaranteeing a minimum of eight years in ex-bourbon oak — a transparency that adds real value. Its 2019 Gold Medal at the World Whisky Awards confirms the quality of Matsui Shuzo's blending program, which marries Scottish malt distillate with Japanese production and the distinctive soft water of volcanic Mount Daisen. The result is a whisky that straddles both traditions — carrying the malty richness and orchard fruit of highland Scotch alongside the delicate texture and refinement associated with Japanese craft. For drinkers looking to understand what Japanese blenders can achieve with international sourcing and local water, this bottling makes a compelling case.