Distillery
Kamiki
Kamiki is a Japanese whisky brand (blended malt) produced in the Nara area, known for final maturation in Japanese cedar (Yoshino-sugi). The most common expressions include the Original/Blended Malt, Intense Wood and Sakura Wood.
- Soni (Nara) · Nara · Japan
- 2 products
The story
The Kamiki brand is linked to Kamiki Shuzou (Kamiki Shuzo), with production and bottling activities in Soni (Nara Prefecture). The brand is promoted and distributed internationally by Yoshino Spirits; in recent years Kamiki has become known for experimental use of Yoshino cedar casks for finishing its blends.
Production philosophy
Seeking balance between local tradition and innovative maturation techniques: valuing Nara's spring waters, using selected malts (Japanese and international) and local woods to impart a distinctive aromatic character.
Territory
Soni Village, Nara Prefecture (Japan); bottling and finishing carried out in the Nara region.
Awards and recognition
Partial list of recognitions cited in commercial documentation: Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 (95 pts), LA Spirits Competition 2020 (Platinum and Best in Show), China Wine and Spirits Awards (Gold), IWSC (listed as medal), Asia Spirits Business Awards (Masters 2023).
Production method
Kamiki is marketed as a blended malt: Japanese malt components are combined with selected malt whiskies from other parts of the world, matured in oak casks (ex-bourbon) and subsequently finished in Yoshino cedar casks. Some editions undergo an additional finish in cherry wood (sakura).
Ageing
Initial maturation in used American oak barrels (ex-bourbon); secondary finishing in Yoshino-sugi (Yoshino cedar) casks. Documentation reports an initial aging period of 7 years followed by a cedar finish of about 3 months for the blended malt.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Soni (Nara)
- Categories
- Japanese whisky
- blended malt
- whisky with Yoshino cedar finish
- whisky from Nara
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- Casks and ageing vessels
- used American oak barrels (ex-bourbon)
- Yoshino-sugi (Japanese cedar) casks
- sakura (cherry) casks for some expressions
- Representative products
- Kamiki Blended Malt (Original)
- Kamiki Intense Wood
- Kamiki Sakura Wood
- Kamiki Single Malt
- Umiki (Ocean Fused Whisky)
What makes it distinctive
- Blended malt marketed as 100% malt whisky (components from Japanese and international malts).
- Finish in Japanese Yoshino-sugi cedar casks (sometimes cited as a world-first for this type of finish).
- Range includes Original, Intense Wood and Sakura Wood; typical commercial format: 50 cl, 48% ABV (for the most common editions).
- Produced and bottled in the Nara region; inspiration and ties to local spiritual heritage.