Matsui Shuzo The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky 750ml

Matsui Shuzo bottles The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old in this 750ml format for markets that use the standard American bottle size, so the liquid inside is the same eight-year pure malt that made the range's reputation. "Pure malt" is Japan's term for a blended malt whisky: all-malt components, some sourced internationally, assembled by Matsui at its home in Tottori Prefecture.

Kurayoshi itself is an old storehouse town near the Sea of Japan, and Matsui leans on its greatest natural asset — spring water from Mt. Daisen, filtered through beds of volcanic stone — to bring the whisky to 92 proof. The result is a texture that feels rounded and rain-soft even at above-standard strength.

After more than eight years in white oak, the whisky shows toasted malt and orchard fruit up front, with orange zest, honey and vanilla pod behind. A sip reveals shortbread, subtle oak spice and a mineral freshness that recalls its water source, ending clean with a trace of char.

The extra 50ml over the export-standard 700ml bottle is a small practical bonus for a whisky this versatile. Keep it on hand for highballs, for introducing friends to Japanese blended malt, or as the everyday counterpart to the older Kurayoshi age statements.

• Size: 750ml
• Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
• Age or Class: 8 years old
• Origin: Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
• Producer: Matsui Shuzo
• Style/Class: Pure malt (blended malt) Japanese whisky
• Composition: All-malt blend with internationally sourced components, assembled in Japan
• Cask/Aging: More than 8 years in white oak casks
• Tasting Notes: Toasted malt, orchard fruit, orange zest, honey, shortbread, mineral freshness