【New Product Launch】Kuju Distillery, Oita's Only Dedicated Whisky Distillery, Releases Third Series of Single Malt: 'Single Malt Kuju tabi#01' on July 31

Introducing the First Release of the New 'tabi' Series: 'Single Malt Kuju tabi#01'

Kuju Distillery (Company: Tsuzaki Shoji Co., Ltd., Head Office: Kuju Town, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, Representative Director: Shoji Udo) will release its new product 'Single Malt Kuju tabi#01' on Friday, July 31, as the first installment of its new 'tabi' series.

This product is the first release in the 'tabi' series, themed on 'Kuju's Journey'—a quest for the most memorable glass of whisky through new encounters that expand the possibilities of whisky craftsmanship. It marks the final chapter in the trilogy following the 'sora' and 'michi' series of the 'Single Malt Kuju' lineup.

The product will be available nationwide at liquor retailers and department stores through our authorized dealers.

It will also be sold through our operated retail e-commerce site 'Single Malt Online Store, Whisky Specialty Shop TSUZAKI' and at the Kuju Distillery SHOP space.

Online Store 'Single Malt Online Store, Whisky Specialty Shop TSUZAKI' https://www.bottles.jp/

▲ In addition to our own products, we have long sold items sourced from other distilleries and importers.

Single Malt Kuju tabi#01

New Product 'tabi#01' Features Sweet and Fruity Notes

Presented under the theme of 'Kuju's Journey,' aiming for the most memorable glass of whisky through new encounters that expand the possibilities of Kuju whisky. We express a new charm of Kuju through balanced blending.

The newly released 'tabi#01' is characterized by its 'sweet and fruity' profile, with a pronounced sweetness clearly expressed in the aroma and initial taste. The finish reveals fruity notes and soft woody aroma, fading gently. Please enjoy this 'new encounter' that expands the possibilities of Kuju whisky.

Product Information

Alcohol Content: 53% Volume: 700ml (in carton) Suggested Retail Price: 12,000 yen (excluding tax) for 700ml Release Date: Friday, July 31, 2026

In addition to nationwide sales at liquor retailers and department stores through authorized dealers,

the product will also be available on our operated e-commerce site 'Single Malt Online Store, Whisky Specialty Shop TSUZAKI'.

Comment from the Responsible Person

An individual with a unique background, transitioning from a sales role at an IT company into the whisky industry. Leveraging training experience at Chichibu Distillery and Tsunagi Distillery, they strive to enhance quality while pursuing a unique character. Hobbies include fishing and coral cultivation.

Manufacturing Manager and Blender: Yutaka Takeshii

The 'tabi' series, the third in the 'Single Malt Kuju' lineup, is themed on 'journey'—aiming to enrich the range of Kuju's flavor profile.

If 'michi' represents a single 'path' in pursuit of the house style, then 'tabi' is the 'journey' that expands its variations. Rather than expressing character directly, we aim to express a new charm of Kuju through balanced blending, using a certain amount of strongly characterized cask stocks.

Until our style is firmly established, Kuju Distillery has prioritized refining reproducibility and technical capability to consistently produce quality above a certain standard, avoiding major risks. While we may lack flashiness in both craftsmanship and products, we aim to deliver bottles that expand the possibilities of Kuju—and Japanese whisky—through our daily challenges and new encounters.

The Trilogy of the Single Malt Kuju Series

The first releases of each series in the trilogy launched under 'Single Malt Kuju'

Following the release of 'THE FIRST,' the distillery's first single malt, in April 2025, the series of single malts has now reached its final installment with the launch of 'tabi.' Going forward, we plan to sequentially expand these three series while irregularly releasing 'Small Batch※1' and 'Single Cask※2' editions.

※1 Small Batch: A limited production item created by blending a carefully selected small number of casks

※2 Single Cask: A limited edition bottled exclusively from the contents of a single cask

Let us now revisit and introduce the three series.

1. Single Malt Kuju sora

A series themed on 'the sky of Kuju,' delivering impressions inspired by the changing seasons and moments.

It provides the joy of experiencing Kuju Distillery's whisky through a diverse range of cask stocks.

Currently, 'sora2025' was released in November 2025. It expresses 'the end of summer, just as autumn's presence begins to drift in, when the sun starts to set.' Carefully blended matured casks, including peated stock. The upfront aroma features rich fruity notes of ripened fruit, followed by overlapping peat smoke, creating a sense of depth.

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2. Single Malt Kuju michi

A series themed on 'the path of Kuju,' expressing the current state of the evolving distillery while pursuing 'Kuju-ness.' Blended primarily with non-peated bourbon barrels and refill casks to pursue the house style.

Currently, 'michi RD.26' was released in April 2026. It features the aroma of green fruits and a concentrated, malty sweetness. Particularly, the green fruit notes, reminiscent of green apples and pears, are more pronounced than in THE FIRST, resulting in a vibrant and elegant taste.

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3. Single Malt Kuju tabi

A series themed on 'Kuju's journey,' inviting you to enjoy the challenges and adventures in pursuit of the ideal whisky. Rather than expressing character directly, it is expressed through balanced blending, using a certain amount of strongly characterized cask stocks.

The first release, 'tabi#01,' is characterized by its 'sweet and fruity' profile, with a pronounced sweetness clearly expressed in the aroma and initial taste, and a finish where fruity notes and soft woody aroma gently fade away.

Through these three series, we express 'Kuju whisky.'

Kuju Distillery will continue to aim to enrich lives through whisky, striving to keep producing whisky in Kuju for the next 100 years, and to share the charm of whisky and the local region with the world.

Kuju Distillery: A Small Liquor Retailer's Passion for Whisky Making

A wooden maturation warehouse consisting of four buildings. It won an award in the 'Oita Wood Excellence Architecture Award 2025.' It was highly evaluated for maximizing the beauty and practicality of wood, using universal techniques reproducible by local construction firms.

Kuju Distillery is Oita Prefecture's only craft whisky distillery established by a liquor retailer—a rarity nationwide.

Leveraging experience gained from the retail frontlines, we sincerely pursue whisky-making to create 'a glass to remember.' Located at an elevation of approximately 600m, it enjoys a cool climate despite being in Kyushu. The 'Kuju Mountain Range,' home to Kyushu's highest peak, and the 'Kuju Highlands' at its foothills, lie within the 'Aso-Kuju National Park,' a naturally rich environment. This magnificent environment has been maintained since ancient times by people preserving the satoyama landscape, including practices like 'yakihata' (field burning). Thanks to them, we are able to make whisky