Pure Malt Zen — simple, pure, and sublime.

Matsui Shuzo Distillery was founded in 1910 northwest of Kyoto on the facing the Sea of Japan in Tottori Prefecture. Importantly, the distillery is within sight of Mount Daisen — a volcanic peak rising more than a mile above the surrounding fertile plains. This is significant because the spring water used to distill their Sake, Shōchū, and Whisky and bring it to proof has filtered through volcanic stone for eons — resulting in significant purity and a unique, soft mineral composition.

The Matsui Shuzo Distillery keeps a low profile. It’s almost enigmatic with no visitor center or direct sales. But the line Whiskies that comes out of their warehouses are very highly regarded — including ten Malts under the Kurayoshi brand and five grain Whiskies under their Tottori nameplate. All of them very popular with the discriminating dram-lovers across the Land of the Rising Sun.

Kurayoshi 18 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky is the most significant Whisky produced by Matsui Shuzo so far. It’s their top-of-the-line dram, and one of the older Malts available from any producer in Japan. It's a 100% malted barley Whisky, sourced from distilleries around Scotland, before making their way to Japan, where it is blended with Japanese Whisky, aged and cut to proof with the legendary volcanic stone filtered waters of Tottori Prefecture.

Now… a lot of producers try to dazzle the eye on their high-end Whiskies with flashy packaging. Other try to smack you in the face with smoke or sweetness to justify a higher price. Kurayoshi 18 Year Old Pure Malt is all about the zen. The bottles are the same as the rest of their products. The flavor is all about being as natural and authentic as possible. It’s almost a Whisky Haiku at 50% ABV — simple, pure, sublime.

Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu.


Smartass Corner:
Mount Daisen is regarded by some ancient religious sects in Japan as a holy mountain — including the syncretic Shugendō faith of “the path of training and testing."


*This bottle is a collector's item, we will not be able to entertain any refunds or exchanges.

**Individual orders limited to one item per person, as we wish to give everyone the opportunity to participate.

***Any kind of transit damage is insured and will be reimbursed.