Togouchi 18 Year old Japanese Blended Whisky 72 cl. Japan 43%

361 metres beneath the streets of Hiroshima lies an old railway tunnel where Togouchi lets its whisky sleep in constant cold and darkness until it's ready.

Expert Description

Togouchi 18 Year Old is a Japanese Blended Whisky, bottled at 43.8%.

The whisky comes from Sakurao Brewery and Distillery (formerly Chugoku Jozo), which has blended and matured whisky under the Togouchi name since 1990. What sets Togouchi apart is its ageing: part of the whisky matures in an abandoned railway tunnel with a constant temperature of 14°C and 80% humidity - conditions that produce an unusually soft, rounded maturation.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey and ripe pears with a light smoky aroma and a touch of old oak.

Palate

Soft and full-bodied with caramel, dried fruit and a fine, rounded spice.

Finish

Long and soft, with a last note of honey.

Specifications

Name: Togouchi 18 Year Old
Distillery: Togouchi
Region/Country: Hiroshima, Japan
Type: Japanese Blended Whisky
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 43.8%
Size: 72 CL
EAN no.: 4901903060039

Flavour Profile

Soft · Full-bodied · Sweet · Rounded

Investment Potential

Medium. Togouchi's older age-stated releases are made in limited quantities and are already harder to find than the younger core range.

Did You Know?

The railway tunnel where Togouchi ages its whisky was originally bored in 1970 by the Japanese railway company and stood empty for decades before Togouchi discovered its constant conditions were perfect for maturing whisky and shochu.

See our full range of Togouchi

Frequently Asked Questions about Togouchi 18 Year Old

Why does Togouchi age whisky in a railway tunnel?

The tunnel holds a constant 14°C and 80% humidity year-round, producing an unusually smooth, soft maturation compared to ordinary warehouses.

Does Togouchi distil its own whisky?

Historically Togouchi mainly imported already-distilled malt and grain whisky from Scotland and Canada for blending and ageing, but since 2018 the brand has also produced its own single malt at Sakurao Distillery.

Is Togouchi 18 Year Old worth it?

Yes, the long maturation and unusual tunnel ageing deliver a depth and softness hard to find in other blends at the same level.

What does the name Togouchi mean?

The name comes from the town of Togouchi in Hiroshima Prefecture, where the whisky has historically been matured.

What glass suits Togouchi 18 Year Old best?

A tulip-shaped nosing glass brings out the soft honey and caramel notes best.

When was Togouchi founded?

The brand launched in 1990 under the then-named Chugoku Jozo, today known as Sakurao Brewery and Distillery.