Sakurao Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review: 'Sweet vanilla and a bit of orange'

In this Sakurao Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review, we take you to the Far East, where the Seto Inland Sea begins at Hiroshima Bay. On that shore, Sakurao crafts a beautifully sweet take on the water of life. Read on to discover what you can expect from this expression.

At a place where a terrible event once etched a pitch-black page in the history books, a brighter story began in 2017: the founding of the Sakurao Distillery. The distillery occupies a unique spot on Hiroshima Bay, bordering the Seto Inland Sea.

Thanks to this singular location, Sakurao benefits from a cold wind sweeping down from the Chugoku Mountains and warm air rising off the Inland Sea. Those are just two of the many factors shaping Sakurao’s Japanese whisky, but it all starts with Taihei Yamamoto, Sakurao Distillery’s master distiller.

He uses specially tuned stills to produce a soft, silky spirit for Sakurao whisky. The liquid then matures in four different cask types: ex-bourbon barrels, new American oak, sherry casks, and Japanese mizunara oak. The two winds do the rest as the whisky rests patiently for over three years before bottling.

Although this Japanese whisky from Hiroshima has rested in a unique combination of casks, the packaging doesn’t shout about it. In fact, the box is almost entirely black. A white label carries the whisky’s name, a few details, and the distillery’s gold-toned logo.

The same goes for the bottle. No frills, just a clean label with the essentials. The bottle shape is fairly standard too, with one notable detail: instead of a traditional cork, there’s a plastic screw cap. An interesting choice.

The distillery lets the amber liquid do the talking and rightly so.

Sakurao Single Malt has a story to tell that will appeal to both seasoned whisky fans and curious newcomers. On the nose it opens with vibrant fruit, led by orange peel. There’s a malty undertone and, if you linger, a faint wisp of smoke.

On the palate, its Japanese character shines. After a velvet-soft landing on the tongue, the orange returns, this time with a splash of citrus, a touch of vanilla, and a hint of coconut. A green-apple tang brightens things up. As it develops, gentle wood tones emerge and a very mild smoke appears before the flavors fade into the finish.

You could liken Sakurao Single Malt to a soft cherry blossom: fitting, given the name. It’s balanced and elegant, though it doesn’t exactly push you to explore deeper layers. It’s a dependable whisky that delivers exactly what you expect, at a terrific price, making it a perfect introduction to Japanese whisky.

+ Excellent price for a Japanese single malt

+ A perfect first step into Eastern drams

+ Balanced from start to finish

- Not particularly challenging