Kurayoshi Pure Malt 750ML

Kurayoshi Pure Malt 750ML is a Japanese blended malt whisky bottled at 46% ABV in a 750ml format by Matsui Shuzo in Tottori Prefecture. This expression earned a Gold medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Category Winner Gold at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards, establishing it as one of the more decorated entry points into the Japanese malt whisky category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Tottori Prefecture, Japan  |  NAS (minimum 3-year aging)  |  Distillery: Matsui Shuzo (Kurayoshi Distillery)

Production & Heritage

Matsui Shuzo operates the Kurayoshi Distillery in the city of Kurayoshi — a name derived from "kurashiyoshi," meaning "good living" in Japanese. The distillery sources 100% malted barley whisky, including malt from Scottish distilleries, which is blended and matured at the Kurayoshi facility in ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of three years. A distinguishing element in the production process is the use of volcanic stone-filtered water drawn from nearby Mount Daisen, one of Japan's most revered peaks, which contributes to the whisky's characteristically soft and clean profile. It is important to note that "Pure Malt" in Japanese whisky terminology indicates a blended malt — a vatting of single malts without any grain whisky — rather than a single distillery product.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a softly savory malt character, giving way to sherried dried fruit — raisins and figs prominent — layered over sweet oak and a subtle floral barley note. A gentle honeyed vanilla thread ties the aromatics together.

Taste: The palate entry is smooth and malt-forward, with balanced sweetness from raisin and honey meeting a mid-palate wave of toasted nuts, cinnamon spice, and vanilla pod. A touch of fresh fruit sharpness adds welcome acidity, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying, while faint earthy peat lingers beneath the surface.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with a warm, slightly bittersweet quality. Lingering notes of dried fig, toasted almond, and gentle oak tannins slowly fade into a clean, malty close.

How to Drink Kurayoshi Pure Malt

At 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, this blended malt rewards neat sipping or with a few drops of water to open the sherried fruit notes. It also performs well in a traditional Japanese highball, where the malt backbone holds up against carbonation. Try it in a Mizuwari — the Japanese method of whisky and still water over ice — where the clean Mount Daisen water influence shines through. A Rob Roy benefits from the sherried raisin notes pairing naturally with sweet vermouth. It also works in a Whisky Sour, where the dried fruit sweetness and fresh acidity create a balanced, rounded cocktail.

Best For

• Exploring Japanese blended malt whisky beyond the major distillery houses
• Gifting a whisky enthusiast who appreciates award-winning Japanese expressions
• Building a Japanese whisky highball at home with a higher-proof, malt-rich base
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Japanese and Scotch blended malt styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kurayoshi Pure Malt taste like? Kurayoshi Pure Malt has a sherried, malt-driven profile with prominent notes of raisin, dried fig, toasted nuts, vanilla, and honey, supported by balanced acidity and a touch of earthy peat. The overall impression is smooth and approachable with enough complexity to reward attentive sipping.

How does Kurayoshi Pure Malt compare to Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt? Both occupy a similar entry-level Japanese malt price tier and share soft, fruity profiles, but Miyagikyo is a single malt produced entirely at one distillery, while Kurayoshi Pure Malt is a blended malt that incorporates imported Scottish malt whisky matured in Japan. Kurayoshi tends toward sherried dried fruit and nut notes at a higher 46% ABV, whereas Miyagikyo leans more toward orchard fruit and delicate floral qualities at 45% ABV.

Is Kurayoshi Pure Malt good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46% ABV provides enough body and intensity for neat drinking without excessive alcohol heat, and the layered malt, fruit, and spice notes reward slow exploration.

Where is Kurayoshi Pure Malt made? Kurayoshi Pure Malt is blended and matured at the Kurayoshi Distillery, operated by Matsui Shuzo in the city of Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, on the San'in Coast of western Honshu, Japan. The distillery uses volcanic stone-filtered water sourced from Mount Daisen.

What foods pair well with Kurayoshi Pure Malt? Grilled unagi (freshwater eel) complements the whisky's sweet oak and honey character. Aged Gouda or Comté cheeses echo the nutty, caramelized notes. Dark chocolate with dried fruit mirrors the sherried raisin profile. Teriyaki-glazed chicken matches the balance of sweetness and savory malt. Roasted almonds or walnuts amplify the toasted nut flavors on the palate.

What sizes does Kurayoshi Pure Malt come in? Kurayoshi Pure Malt is available in a standard 750ml bottle at 46% ABV; a 700ml format at 43% ABV is also produced for certain international markets.

Is Kurayoshi Pure Malt worth the price? Kurayoshi Pure Malt positions as an accessible, mid-range Japanese blended malt that punches above its price tier in competition results — including a 93-point score from Whisky Advocate and multiple SFWSC medals — making it a strong value proposition for drinkers seeking quality Japanese malt whisky without the premium single malt price tag.

Why Kurayoshi Pure Malt?

In a Japanese whisky market where allocation shortages and rising prices have pushed many expressions out of reach, Kurayoshi Pure Malt delivers a consistently available, competition-proven blended malt at a reasonable price point. Its 93-point Whisky Advocate score and 2024 World Whiskies Awards Category Winner Gold place it in serious company. The use of Mount Daisen volcanic water and ex-bourbon cask maturation in Tottori's coastal climate give the whisky a regional character distinct from the more commonly encountered Highland-influenced Japanese malts. For anyone building a Japanese whisky collection or simply seeking a versatile, well-made malt whisky with genuine depth, this expression delivers documented quality rather than marketing hype.