Kujira Inari Ryukyu Whiskey
Kujira Inari Ryukyu Whiskey is Okinawa's rice-whiskey revolution in a bottle: a 92-proof (46% ABV), 750mL no-age-statement vatting from Masahiro Distillery, distilled from 100% Indica rice with the black koji unique to Okinawa, non chill-filtered with no added color. "Inari" is the god of rice cultivation in Japanese mythology — a fitting name for a whiskey whose soul is rice. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: no age statement — vatted from hand-picked casks
- Distillery: Masahiro Shuzo (Masahiro Distillery), Okinawa, Japan (founded 1883)
- Production: 100% Indica rice; black koji; subtropical maturation; non chill-filtered, no added color
Rice, Not Barley — Okinawa's Own Whiskey
Ryukyu whiskey is not Scotch-adjacent: it descends from awamori, Okinawa's centuries-old rice spirit, made with black koji mold found nowhere else. Masahiro — one of Okinawa's oldest and largest distilleries, founded in 1883 — matures this rice distillate in oak under the subtropical Ryukyu climate, which pushes wood interaction far faster than a Scottish warehouse ever could. The result sits in its own category, and for Japanese whisky explorers it is the most distinctive pour on the shelf.
Tasting Notes
The nose shows apples, pears, and tropical fruits with hints of spice. The palate carries delicate oak, figs, nuts, and butterscotch; the finish is sweet and long, with a fruity-herbal scent and a woody texture.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tumbler to meet it on its own terms, or with a splash of water to open the tropical fruit. It works beautifully in a highball — soda lifts the pear and citrus. Pair with sushi, Okinawan rafute pork, or aged cheddar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ryukyu whiskey?
Whiskey distilled in Okinawa (the Ryukyu Islands) from rice — descended from awamori — rather than the barley of Scotch or the corn of bourbon.
Who makes Kujira Inari?
Masahiro Shuzo (Masahiro Distillery) in Okinawa, Japan, founded in 1883.
What does Inari mean?
Inari is the god of rice cultivation in Japanese mythology.
Is Kujira Inari chill-filtered or colored?
No — it is non chill-filtered with no added color.
Explore more Kujira whiskies and the full Japanese whisky collection. Rice whiskey this distinctive is hard to keep in stock — order Kujira Inari online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.