Founded in 2016 by Taiko Nakamura under Gaia Flow, the Shizuoka Whisky Distillery has quickly made a name for itself in Japan’s craft whisky scene. Nestled in the mountainous Tamagawa region of Shizuoka Prefecture near Mount Fuji, the distillery blends innovation with a deep respect for local resources. Its architecture seamlessly integrates modern design with natural elements, embodying Nakamura’s vision of a distillery rooted in both tradition and forward-thinking experimentation.
A key highlight is its use of two historic pot stills: one salvaged from the legendary Karuizawa Distillery and the world’s only wood-fired direct heat still, fuelled by locally sourced timber. This unique setup enables Shizuoka to craft distinctive spirit styles, often blended in releases like Contact S. The distillery is committed to using 100% local ingredients, including Shizuoka-grown barley, a proprietary yeast strain (NMZ-0688), and pure water from an on-site well fed by underground rivers.
Maturation is accelerated by the region’s significant temperature swings, with ex-bourbon barrels playing a primary role. Shizuoka’s debut single malts, Prologue K (distilled in the Karuizawa still) and Prologue W (from the wood-fired still), gained a cult following for their contrasting profiles – Prologue W, in particular, stood out for its refined fruitiness and balance. With limited releases and a highly sought-after private cask program, Shizuoka has solidified its reputation as a producer of small-batch, terroir-driven Japanese whisky.
Today, we’ll review the Shizuoka Contact S & United S, with plans to revisit the distillery later for a closer look at Prologue K and W.
Shizuoka Contact S First Edition Review
Shizuoka’s Contact S expression blends spirits from two iconic stills: the salvaged Karuizawa still and Japan’s sole wood-fired direct heat still. Aged predominantly in first-fill bourbon barrels and quarter casks, this whisky integrates three malt varieties – domestic Japanese barley, Scottish peated and unpeated malt, and German beer malt. Bottled at 55.5% ABV, the inaugural batch was limited to 5,000 bottles and released in 2021, but is still available in the UK, usually from £150, but can be seen down to £110 on offer, or from €190 in Europe.
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose:
Neat: Aromas of toasted seeds, wood, and vanilla emerge first, followed by honey, salted butter caramel, and digestive biscuits. A delicate wisp of smoke lingers alongside subtle hints of chalk, varnish, and fresh pears, revealing the whisky’s youthful character.
With water: A touch of dust surfaces, accompanied by a pronounced bourbon-like sweetness.
Palate:
Neat: A sweet arrival quickly gives way to warming spices and a hint of citrusy sourness. The wood influence builds, bringing a touch of bitterness alongside notes of dark chocolate, burnt apple caramel reminiscent of tarte Tatin, and a subtle, earthy smoke.
With water: Peach and apricot yogurt notes emerge, complemented by a pinch of salt and a more pronounced smokiness. The spices intensify slightly, whilst the mouthfeel is creamy.
Finish:
A medium-length finish, with lingering notes of wood, dark chocolate, and a subtle kick of chili pepper.
Comments:
Despite its youthful character being evident, the Shizuoka Contact S First Edition is quite impressive. While not the best 3-year-old whisky I’ve had, it stands above many others. It offers a pleasant balance of sweetness and light smoke, though I find myself wishing for a bit more fruitiness.
Rating: 6/10
Shizuoka United S First Edition Review
The Shizuoka United S First Edition serves as the successor to the original Contact S. It showcases the combined output of both Pot Still K and Pot Still W, incorporating Japanese barley, Scottish unpeated and peated barley, and German beer malt. Released in 2022, it was bottled at 50.5% ABV with a total outturn of 5,000 bottles. It remains widely available in the UK from £115, while prices in Europe vary significantly, ranging from €125 to €200.
Colour:
Amontillado Sherry
Nose:
Neat: Earthy aromas lead the way, accompanied by light smoke and a slightly sharper profile than Contact S. Notes of buttery brioche reminiscent of French toast emerge, layered with vanilla, dried herbs, and the subtle mustiness of dusty bookshelves.
With water: The profile remains largely unchanged, maintaining its balance of earthiness, sweetness, and gentle smoke.
Palate:
Neat: Similar to Contact S, it opens with a sweet arrival before a wave of spice sets in. Notes of custard and buttery brioche take centre stage, complemented by hints of fennel, juicy peaches, and a subtle hoppy bitterness reminiscent of IPA beer. The mouthfeel is lighter than Contact S.
With water: Becomes sweeter initially, followed by a burst of lemon, a touch of olive brine, and delicate hints of sweet soy sauce, adding an intriguing umami depth.
Finish:
Short finish, with lingering notes of wood, chocolate, and a touch of spice.
Comments:
Similar to Contact S, but I find the Shizuoka United S slightly less compelling. It feels less complex and interesting, with a noticeably shorter finish. However, blending the two – about two-thirds United S and one-third Contact S – enhances the smoke and brings out a lovely maltiness, making for an enjoyable dram.
Rating: 5.5/10
We’ll taste some other Shizuoka soon-ish, with some Pot Still W (wood fired) and some Pot Still K (the ex-Karuizawa still). Bottle pictures courtesy of Whiskybase.
