Kuju "The First" Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

Kuju's inaugural single malt represents the realization of founder Shoji Utoda's ambition to make whisky in his native Oita Prefecture. A longtime whisky retailer who trained at Chichibu, Utoda helped finance the project through corporate bonds purchased by bartenders, liquor retailers, and other investors. When pandemic restrictions prevented Scottish engineers from installing the Forsyths equipment, local shochu equipment specialist Hirano Shoten completed the work using the manufacturer's plans and remote guidance. Distillation began in February 2021. The First is made entirely from unpeated malted barley and local underground spring water, with fermentation conducted over four days in Douglas fir washbacks to encourage lactic acid fermentation. Double distillation takes place in Forsyths copper pot stills fitted with straight heads and gently descending lyne arms, a configuration selected to produce Kuju's bold style of spirit. Matured for a minimum of three years in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, this limited release introduces the distillery's own single malt at its full cask strength of 58% ABV. All production, from milling through bottling, takes place at Kuju. Released without an age statement, The First is non-chill filtered and bottled without added coloring.