Prices
Prices and stock come from each retailer's website. Check with the store before you buy.
More from this distillery: All Yamazakura whiskies and prices
About
What it is
A 21 year old blended whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo in Koriyama, Fukushima, bottled at 58%. The 963 in the name is the local postcode. Every component is at least 21 years old, combining malt and grain whisky.
Where it comes from
Sasanokawa is a sake and shochu producer dating back to the 18th century that took out a whisky licence in 1946, making it one of the older whisky names in Japan. It's best known among enthusiasts for a different reason: when Hanyu Distillery closed, Sasanokawa gave Ichiro Akuto's remaining casks a home, which is how the Card Series exists at all.
On provenance, be careful. Sasanokawa has historically used imported whisky in its blends, and a 21 year old grain component is unlikely to be its own. This bottling also predates the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard, which arrived in 2021, so it was never assessed against it. We haven't found a producer statement on composition, so treat the sourcing as undisclosed.
How it's made
Blended and bottled in Fukushima at 58%, which is unusually strong for a Japanese blend at this age. The colour and profile point to a substantial proportion of sherry cask, though Sasanokawa doesn't publish a breakdown. Sasanokawa later built Asaka Distillery in 2016 to make its own malt properly.
What to expect
Polished oak, liquorice and cinnamon, heather honey and red berries, then Bakewell tart, blackberry, vanilla and cocoa, with leathery spice on a drying finish. Twenty one years at 58% gives it real weight, and a few drops of water open it up.
How it compares
Against Yamazakura Blended, the entry bottle, this is a completely different tier. Against Hibiki 21, the Suntory equivalent has clearer provenance and a higher price. Against other Japanese 21 year olds, this is one of the more affordable ways into that age bracket.
