Super Premium Cherry Bourbon

[c2walker]

I came across a unique bottle of whiskey in Japan (presumably a bourbon, but not that's stated on the label) called Super Premium Cherry that I can find absolutely nothing about online. I know it's a long shot, but I was curious if anyone has heard anything about, especially those of you from or living in Japan. The label states in English (sorta): "This whisky was made in the state of Kentucky 30 years ago and was sent to Japan 25 years ago. Goodness or more...passing...of the highest tasting and the best that has both the smell become marvelous maturity this whisky ripened for 30 years or more. When you open, you might hear a little voice say 'Enjoy the History.'" 800 bottles made. 53% ABV. At the current exchange rate a bottle is about $100. I'm intrigued, but scared to spend $100 on something that a) possibly spent 30 years in a barrel and tastes like a pencil or is only 5 years old, but sat in bottles or a vat somewhere for 25 years or c) isn't bourbon or rye.

[cowdery]

For the Japanese market, there seems to be no such thing as too old, and I have tasted many exports to Japan that were, in fact, too old. So it could be 25 or 30 years old.

Nothing about this looks familiar and I have no idea how strict Japan is about truth in labeling.

And what's this 'cherry' bit? Is that just a name or has the whiskey been flavored? Who would take a 25 or 30-year-old whiskey and flavor it with cherry concentrate? Who indeed!

You're looking at a total crap shoot here. You pay your money and you take your chance.

[humchan2k]

Hi CWalker,

I speak and read Japanese fluently, which I know is random for a kid from Oregon...but I did live in Tokyo and Osaka for 4+ years. If you want to send me the details via PM, I can translate it all for you and get the most out of the info you do have. If you want further assistance, I can do my best to check Japanese sites, but just get me the details at hand and we'll go fro there.

Thanks!

B~

Edited October 16, 2012 by humchan2k

[c2walker]

And what's this 'cherry' bit? Is that just a name or has the whiskey been flavored? Who would take a 25 or 30-year-old whiskey and flavor it with cherry concentrate? Who indeed!

You're looking at a total crap shoot here. You pay your money and you take your chance.

I might have to just take one for the team and try it. I wasn't even concerned about the cherry part until now. Let's hope it's not experimental stock of Jim Beam Red Stag from the early 80's aged for 30 years!

[humchan2k]

Hi C2Walker,

Details are in your inbox

[White Dog]

Maybe "cherry" just means "awesome" to them, as in, "That hot rod is cherry!":lol:

But in seriousness, I hope there is no cherry added. And I'd drop $100 bucks on a 25-30yr Bourbon for the education alone, IF it's not flavored.

[humchan2k]

As stated to CWalker in my PM....there's no cherry in this booze. The Japanese are actually just as strict as the US about naming conventions...this stuff is labeled as "genshuu," which means "alcohol from the source" or "alcohol made with source material," it's sorta hard to completely translate it...but as far as I can tell, it's either a 25 year or a 5 year product...but the pricing leads me to believe it's 25 years....as really great whiskey is actually pretty cheap in Japan, comparitively speaking.

I still miss being able to buy Maker's Mark black wax....that stuff was my intro to great whiskey.