Shibui Sherry Cask Japanese Whisky

This Shibui single grain 15-year-old Japanese whisky is made by the Masahiro Distillery and matured in casks that previously contained fino and manzanillo sherries.

I recently reviewed Shibui’s Pure Malt Japanese Whisky and found it to be a delightful drink, though not cheap. This sherry cask matured single grain 15-year-old is about three times the price, so ought to be outstanding.

Who or What is Shibui?

Shibui isn’t a distillery but rather is an importer of Japanese whiskies who say that their sample room contains hundreds of cask samples from Japan, from which they choose only the finest to put on the market in the USA. The word Shibui, they say, means ‘Understated, classic coolness. Timeless.’ Used as a slang word, it roughly translates, apparently, as ‘old school cool.’

Shibui Sherry Cask Japanese Whisky

This particular Shibui whisky is made in Okinawa at the Masahiro Distillery, which has been in business since 1883, not too long after the very first Japanese whiskies started to be made in about 1870.

When we talk about single-grain whiskies we usually think of Scottish whiskies made with malted barley, although the ‘single’ refers to the distillery, not the grain. So a single-grain whisky can contain more than one grain. In the case of this Shibui, though, it does contain only one grain: 100% Premium Indica Long Grain Rice. Normally rice would be used to make the Japanese rice wine, saké, but there’s no reason you can’t make whisky from it too.

The whisky is double-distilled in a stainless steel pot still, and although it says that it’s aged in ex-fino and ex-manzanillo sherry casks, it would be interesting to know the process. Is it aged first in fino sherry casks and then in manzanillo sherry casks, or is some aged in one, some aged in the other, and then the two are blended?

Tasting Shibui Sherry Cask Japanese Whisky

The whisky is 43% ABV (86 proof). The color is rich, dark and nutty brown, and as soon as you nose it you know you’re in for a treat. There’s a mix of vanilla creaminess, honey sweetness, the lushness of chocolate, and some fruity spiciness too. There are also some fresh and floral notes, and some oakiness as well. It’s one of those whiskies you simply want to go on sniffing

Tasting it, the whisky doesn’t disappoint. It’s less floral but still creamy, with some tropical fruit zestiness, and those nutty tastes that are typical of sherry. There’s some rum-like coconut on the finish. Expensive? Yes. Outstanding? Absolutely.

Buying Shibui 15-Year-Old Sherry Cask Matured

You can find this whisky on Drizly, or to find your nearest stockist visit the Shibui website.