Long-lost Japanese Whisky Back at The Top Table After Gordon Ramsay Selection
Built in the Fukushima Prefecture, in 1939, the Shirakawa Distillery operated for more than six decades and crafted malt whisky from 1951-1969 – becoming one of the first to do so in Japan. Most of the whisky produced was used in owner Takara Shuzo’s flagship ‘King’ blended whisky brand.
In 2003, the Shirakawa Distillery was demolished, and its legacy drew to a close, until, more than a decade later, Tomatin Distillery’s managing director Stephen Bremner became intrigued by owner Takara Shuzo’s malt-making past.
After piecing together a complex trail of clues, he identified the existence of Shirakawa stock at Takara Shuzo’s Kurokabegura distillery in 2019. The spirit had been distilled in 1958, aged in cask, then transferred to ceramic jars at the distillery. When Shirakawa shut down, the whisky was put into stainless steel tanks at Takara Shuzo’s factory in Kyushu where it had lain untouched until his discovery.
Stephen said: “Tomatin Distillery Co. Ltd was bought by Takara Shuzo in 1986, but it was only in recent years that I became fascinated by the story of Shirakawa and its history of whisky production and embarked on a journey to find out more.
“When I discovered that the last remaining stock was distilled in 1958, I was astounded. It was a genuine ‘wow’ moment as I realised very quickly that what we were dealing with was extremely rare.
“Crafted in the early days of malt production in Japan, it has a distinctive flavour profile, with aromas of exotic incense giving way to grass and fruits before a hint of mint on the finish. It is truly extraordinary and conveys the evolving character of Japanese whisky, which is now acclaimed worldwide.
“We are incredibly honoured that Gordon Ramsay has selected Shirakawa 1958 as the pinnacle of his whisky menu at Lucky Cat. Diners who try it will be transported back to a pioneering era of Japanese whisky as they enjoy one of the rarest drams in the world.”
While the age and cask type cannot be fully determined, Shirakawa 1958 was crafted at a time when the distillery used predominantly Japanese malted barley and Mizunara oak casks.
The expression, which has an ABV of 49%, was bottled by Takara Shuzo Co Ltd in Japan. Just 1,500 bottles were released in 2022 and distributed worldwide by Tomatin Distillery, with an RRP of £25,000 per 70cl bottle.
