Kujira 10 Year
April 21, 2025
TL;DR: Kujira 10 Year is a grain whisky made from 100% Indica rice and aged in Virgin American Oak casks, delivering a bold, umami-rich profile with layers of butterscotch, miso, and tropical spice. Unique and expressive, it’s a conversation-starter with a sweet-savory edge unlike anything else in Japanese whisky.
Distilled in Okinawa from 100% Indica rice and fermented with black koji, Kujira 10 Year blends whisky-making with the deep-rooted traditions of awamori production. Aged in American white oak bourbon barrels, this grain whisky delivers a bold, umami-laced profile unlike anything else in the Japanese category. The use of black koji—a fermentation agent prized for its earthy depth and high citric acid—brings a distinct savory edge and tropical undertones that set Kujira apart. This is not your typical Japanese whisky: it’s robust, unconventional, and deeply Okinawan, offering a sweet-savory interplay that challenges expectations and rewards curiosity.
Flavor Camp Taste Profile
Overall Review
- Overall Assessment: 90/100
- Distinctiveness: 10/10
- Bottle Appeal: 8/10
- Value for Price: 6.5/10
- Crushable / Daily Drinker
- Cocktail Worthy
- Special Occasion Sipper
- Weird & Wonderful
- Skip It
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep Gold
- Aroma: Butterscotch and caramel lead the way, with a curious savory undertone—like light miso broth warming in the background. There’s an inviting pastry note, like a miso mochi donut, alongside hints of overripe tropical fruit and rice pudding.
- Taste & Mouthfeel: Rich and spiced, echoing the nose with more butterscotch, warming manuka honey, and layers of nutmeg, cinnamon, white pepper, and a dash of licorice. Wood spice and vanilla from the bourbon cask give it structure, while the savory-sweet balance keeps things intriguing.
- Finish: Long, spiced, and subtly sweet, with a lingering note reminiscent of rice paper or soft mochi dusted with sugar—delicate but memorable.
- Distinctiveness: This is unmistakably unique—from the rice base to the miso-sweet interplay, Kujira 10 stands far outside the bounds of typical Japanese whisky. It’s not trying to emulate Scotch or mimic Yamazaki; it’s doing its own thing. That said, the umami-forward profile and savory-sweet balance may not appeal to everyone—this is a whisky for those seeking flavor exploration over familiarity.
- Overall Drinkability & Balance: Kujira 10 offers a compelling mix of richness, spice, and umami in a silky, well-aged frame. Despite its bold flavors and slightly unusual profile, it remains well-integrated and cohesive, never tipping into chaos. It’s easy to sip slowly, and each pour feels like it reveals something new. Balanced in its boldness, it rewards an open-minded palate.
Product Details
- Distiller: Masahiro Distillery
- Type: Single Grain Japanese Whisky
- Age: 10 Years
- Still Type: Column
- Cask Type(s): Virgin American Oak
- Origin: Okinawa, Japan
- Composition: 100% Thai Indica Rice
- ABV: 43%
- # of Distillations: 2 Times
- Price: $150 - $185 (CAD)
Comments / Notes:
Rice-Based & Black Koji-Fermented: Made from 100% Indica rice and fermented with black koji, it brings a uniquely umami-rich, tropical, and slightly savory character that sets it apart from grain whiskies made with corn or wheat.
Bold & Unconventional: With flavors of butterscotch, miso, tropical fruit, and spice, Kujira 10 is decadent and layered, but definitely not your typical Japanese whisky—it leans into its Okinawan roots unapologetically.
Not for Everyone (But That’s the Point): Its distinctiveness is its strength—a whisky for the adventurous palate, offering a flavor journey that surprises, challenges, and rewards.
Food Pairing Recommendations:
Char siu pork or duck – complements the butterscotch and spice while enhancing the umami
Miso caramel tart – sweet and salty, just like Kujira’s own profile
Toasted coconut rice pudding – a nod to the tropical fruit and rice paper finish
Matcha mochi or miso butter cookies – earthy, savory sweets that complement the whisky’s core flavors
Cocktail Recommendations: Gold Rush
