Suntory Kioke Shikomi Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (1981 Release)

This rare pure malt from Suntory, bottled at Yamanashi, is believed to be a vatting of Hakushu and Yamazaki single malts, with approximately 90% from Hakushu. The red Japanese characters on the label translate to “Direct Fired,” referencing the distillation method used. The whisky undergoes bamboo charcoal filtration and traditional ‘Kioke Shikomi’ fermentation, a process using wooden tubs typically employed in sake production. Distilled in 1981, it is the counterpart to the Suntory 1991 Furudaru Shiage, and with the series ending in 1999, it has become increasingly scarce.