Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch

Profile: The Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch at a glance

• The legacy lives on - Small Batch bottling from the closed Nine Leaves distillery
• A Japanese Pure Single Rum made from traditional Kokuto whole cane sugar
• Yoshiharu Takeuchi's Nine Leaves distillery only produced from 2013 to 2023
• Limited Small Batch bottling - only 929 bottles from two Pedro Ximénez sherry casks

Portrait: What makes the Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch special

Sometimes great things happen Spirits from enormous distilleries with warehouses stretching for miles. And sometimes from an idea, a small distillery – and a person who decides: “I’m just going to do it myself.” That’s exactly how the story of the Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch begins. The man behind this idea was Yoshiharu Takeuchi. In 2013, he founded the small but extremely ambitious Nine Leaves Distillery in the city of Ōtsu, Japan. His plan: to produce rum with the same meticulous care and craftsmanship usually associated with single malt whisky. A daring idea – but also quite charming. Takeuchi took the concept of "handcrafted" extremely seriously. From fermenting the Kokuto whole cane sugar to distillation and labeling the bottles, he personally oversaw every step. One could say that if anyone was keeping a watchful eye on a fermentation tank, it was probably him. For ten years, from 2013 to 2023, rum with a truly distinctive character was created. Then came the end of the distillery – at least for the time being. When the Nine Leaves Distillery closed its doors, the story could have quietly ended in the barrel cellar. But fortunately, La Maison & Velier stepped in and acquired the entire inventory. Thus, what might have been a final chapter became more of an elegant "to be continued."

And this is precisely where this Small Batch comes in. The Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch was created from two Pedro Ximénez fortified wine casks - a small cask duo that together form a limited bottling. Small but perfectly formed, as they say. The bottling also has visual character: the design is based on the traditional Japanese card game Unsun Karuta. So, whoever holds a bottle in their hand has, in a sense, a piece of Japanese cultural history – and a small chapter of modern rum history – in front of them simultaneously. In short: this rum is the result of a vision, a lot of patience, and a considerable amount of pride in craftsmanship. Or to put it another way: sometimes two casks and a good idea are all it takes to create something remarkable.

Distilled: 2020
Base: Kokuto whole cane sugar
Distillation: Pot still
Cask type: Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask
Outturn: 929 bottles
Uncolored
Unsweetened

Tasting Notes: This is how the Nine Leaves 2020 PX Sherry Casks - Small Batch tastes like

• Nose: Clear and pronounced. Aromas of raw cane sugar and dried fruit rise first. These are followed by raisins, figs, and a touch of candied orange. In the background, light floral notes and a hint of honey, as well as subtle influences from the PX sherry cask, are evident.
• Palate: Robust and structured. Dark fruits such as raisins and plums take center stage. These are joined by raw cane sugar, a touch of honey, and a light spiciness. The influence of the Pedro Ximénez casks brings a dark, wine-like sweetness that is well integrated.
• Finish: Medium to long. Dried fruit and sherry notes linger. These are accompanied by a touch of honey, raw cane sugar, and a light cask spice. The finish is warm and balanced.