Kamiki Japanese Malt Whisky
Kamiki Japanese Malt Whisky is a 48% ABV (96 proof) whisky in a 750mL bottle — the world's first whisky finished in Japanese cedar (Yoshino Sugi) casks. Rare Japanese malt whiskies are blended with fine malts from the rest of the world, rested first in ex-bourbon and sherry casks, then finished in non-charred Yoshino cedar for up to three months, and bottled non-chill-filtered at 48% ABV. Named for Kami-iki, the "breath of God" that drifts through the Omiwa Shinto shrine, it is a 90.5-point Jim Murray Whisky Bible selection and a Chairman's Trophy winner at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: blended malt whisky
- Finish: Japanese cedar (Yoshino Sugi) casks — a world first
- Filtration: non-chill-filtered
- Awards: 90.5 pts Jim Murray Whisky Bible; Chairman's Trophy, Ultimate Spirits Challenge
The Breath of God, In Cedar and Malt
No whisky had ever touched Japanese cedar before Kamiki: the Yoshino Sugi used for the finish is the same intensely fragrant wood that built Japan's shrines, and it writes itself all over the whisky — sandalwood on the nose, forest depth on the palate, green tea on the finish. Underneath sits a silky blend of Japanese and world malts, kept at a full 48% ABV so none of the cedar's perfume gets left behind. For more, browse Japanese whisky, whisky and the Kamiki collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: sandalwood, heather honey, delicate cedar whisper, vanilla. Palate: silky — toasted caramel, Japanese plum, white pepper, soft grain sweetness. Finish: long and clean, with green tea and cool cedar.
How to Enjoy
Neat at cool room temperature to catch the full cedar arc. A single drop of spring water softens the 48% ABV and lifts the sandalwood; it also makes an unusually elegant highball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Kamiki unique? It is the first whisky in the world finished in Japanese cedar (Yoshino Sugi) casks — the second maturation gives it sandalwood, forest and green-tea notes no oak-finished whisky has.
Is Kamiki a single malt? It is a blended malt — rare Japanese malts blended with premium malts from around the world, then cedar-finished.
What does "Kamiki" mean? From the Japanese Kami ("god") and iki ("breath") — a nod to the fragrant breeze at the Omiwa Shinto shrine.
A world first in a bottle — order Kamiki Japanese Malt Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.