Kurayoshi is one of those names that sparks immediate debate in whisky circles, and frankly, that's part of what makes it interesting. Produced by the Matsui Shuzo distillery in Tottori Prefecture, the brand has drawn scrutiny over the years for its sourcing practices — some of the liquid in Kurayoshi expressions has historically included imported Scotch malt, blended with Japanese-distilled spirit. Whether that bothers you is a personal call. What I can tell you is that this Pure Malt Sherry Cask release, bottled at 43% without an age statement, is a genuinely enjoyable dram that delivers on its promise.
The sherry cask influence is the headline here. At £92.50, you're paying a premium that reflects both the Japanese whisky market's continued inflation and the cost of decent sherry wood. NAS releases always invite scepticism — and rightly so — but the category has matured enough that we should be judging what's in the glass, not what's on the label. Matsui Shuzo have been investing heavily in their own distilling capacity in recent years, and the Kurayoshi range has benefited from that ambition.
What to Expect
This is a blended malt built around sherry cask maturation, so expect the profile to lean rich and fruit-forward. At 43%, it's bottled at a strength that prioritises accessibility over cask-strength intensity — a conscious choice that makes it an easy whisky to sit with. The sherry influence should bring warmth and sweetness without overwhelming the malt character underneath. If you've enjoyed sherried Japanese expressions from the likes of Mars Shinshu or even some of the more approachable Yamazaki bottlings, this sits in similar territory, though with its own identity.
The blended malt designation means we're getting a vatting of single malts rather than a grain-malt blend, which typically translates to more depth and complexity than a standard blend. It's a category I think deserves more attention than it gets, particularly from Japanese producers who are increasingly skilled at marrying different malt stocks.
The Verdict
I'm giving the Kurayoshi Pure Malt Sherry Cask a 7.5 out of 10. It's a well-constructed whisky that wears its sherry influence confidently. The price point is steep compared to equivalent sherried malts from Scotland — you could pick up a GlenDronach 12 or an Aberlour A'bunadh for less — but you're paying partly for the Japanese craft and partly for market positioning. What you get is a polished, rich dram that doesn't try to be something it isn't. For anyone building out a Japanese whisky collection beyond the usual Suntory and Nikka offerings, this is worth the shelf space. It's not going to rewrite your understanding of whisky, but it will reward your attention.
Best Served
Try this one in a small tulip glass, neat, with five minutes of air before your first sip — sherry-matured whiskies often open up beautifully with a little patience. If you want to experiment, a Japanese-style highball with quality soda water and a twist of orange peel works remarkably well here. The sherry sweetness holds up against the dilution better than you might expect, and it makes for a cracking aperitif before dinner.
