Sakhrani Kuri Edition Whisky Review: 'A Stroll Through the Woods'

Saturday, 09 August 2025 at 15:02

Sakhrani kuri chestnut wood finish whisky

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The Japanese Sakhrani Distillery has hit the ground running with three unique whiskies. The third of the set is the Kuri Edition, hinting at the arrival of autumn. What does chestnut wood do to the taste? You'll discover that in this review.

FAQ

What is Sakhrani Distillery?
Sakhrani Distillery is a Japanese distillery in Okinawa run by women.
Which three whiskies have already been released?
At this point, the Sakhrani Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish, the Sakura Cherry Wood Finish and the Kuri Chestnut Wood Finish have been released.
Are more whiskies coming up?
There are two more whiskies on the way: the Hinoki Cypress Wood Finish and the Sugi Cedarwood Finish whisky.

An entire season captured in a whisky

What if you could capture a whole season in a whisky by experimenting with the type of wood used? That's exactly what Sakhrani Distillery has done with their Kuri whisky.

The Japanese distillery recently entered the global stage positioning itself as a modern distillery actively experimenting with wood. Kuri, the distillery's third whisky, is not finished in oak, but in chestnut wood. This yields a rich, autumnal whisky with surprising, complex notes.

Look, Smell, Taste

Country	Japan
Distillery	Sakhrani Distillery
Color	Bronze
Nose	A strong nutty profile with earthy notes of roasted chestnuts and smoky undertones.
Palate	Rich and full, with notes of nuts, chocolate, and a hint of smoke.
Finish	Long and warming.
Age	No age statement
Alcohol content	47 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)
Bottle content	70 centiliters
Price	Approximately 90 euros

Sakhrani Kuri Edition whisky bottle pleases the eyes immediately

Before we get into the whisky, it's time to feast your eyes. The Sakhrani Chestnut Wood Finish Edition whisky comes in the same bottle as the Mizunara and the Sakura Finish Edition.

The ribbed texture of the bottle gives it a luxurious feel, creating a playful effect on the surface when light shines through it.

The labels bring variety to the brand. While the Mizunara label incorporates a light copper tint, the Sakura Finish whisky features a reddish hue that perfectly matches cherry blossom.

The Kuri whisky has a bronze tint on the label. This color perfectly matches the color of the whisky in the bottle. In some ways, the bronze tint also resonates with an impression of autumn.

Earthy, nutty notes

In the glass, the Sakhrani Kuri has reasonably thick legs or tears. This indicates that it's a somewhat creamy whisky. Humble, sweet notes of nuts (hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts) rise from the glass as the tears slowly roll back into it.

These earthy notes are accompanied by a warming tone of roasted wood, hot coffee grounds, and mocha pastries. Meanwhile, hints of vanilla and caramelized sugar pass by, tempting you to taste quickly.

The overall impression is a walk in the woods on an autumn morning - when the golden leaves, the wood, and the moss on the ground are still wet from the dew, but the sun is already peering cautiously through the trees. It's sweet, spicy, and warming all at once.

Lightly warming and... smoke?

At the first sip, the Kuri adds a tiny tingle to the palate. Notes of roasted nuts, dried stone fruits like apricots and peaches, and spices like clove and cinnamon dance across the tongue immediately. The autumnal scene that was suggested while smelling continues clearly in the mouth.

The whisky gives a slightly warming sensation, while the whisky is creamy and rich in flavor. The somewhat complex dance of flavors continues smoothly until you decide to swallow your sip.

Reaching the palate, there are some light notes of smoke in the background, although these are almost not worth mentioning. The nutty and earthy whole take the lead from the beginning and also lead the medium-length finish of the Japanese whisky.

During the aftertaste, the notes of dried fruit, spices, and lastly, the chestnuts and hazelnuts, fade away.

Conclusion Sakhrani Kuri Chestnut Wood Finish Edition Whisky Review

Sakhrani Distillery proves once again with this third whisky how strong the influence of a good cask on whisky can be. The Chestnut Wood Finish whisky introduces an earthy note over the soft whole, with nuts and coffee playing the leading roles. Now it's time for this whisky to get the leading – or supporting – role in a series, like Hibiki was in Tokyo Vice.

It's a balanced whisky with a somewhat warmer flavor profile than the Mizunara and Sakura versions but just as balanced as the other two whiskies. This is definitely a whisky everyone should try.

+ Balanced interplay of earthy notes

+ Imparts a warm autumnal feel in your mouth

+ Premium appearance without a premium price

- Not for you if you're expecting a lot of smoke