Shindo Experimental 01: Japan’s newest whisky house arrives with confidence

Japan doesn’t rush new distilleries into the spotlight. When one appears, it usually has something to say. Now, after more than two centuries of mastering saké and shochu, the Shinozaki family has turned its attention to whisky, and the result is quietly fascinating.

Their new venture, Shindo Distillery, founded in 2021 in Asakura, Fukuoka, has released its first expression. In a nod to the beginning of its story, it’s been named Shindo Experimental 01, and is a single malt that blends tradition, fermentation science, and a touch of curiosity.

Shinozaki’s background in brewing gives Shindo an unusually scientific approach to flavour. Rather than relying on a single yeast strain, the distillery treats fermentation as a playground, experimenting with multiple variants to shape a whisky that’s nuanced, layered and distinctly Japanese.

Crafted from non-peated malted barley, Shindo Experimental 01 whisky has been matured in a mix of casks that combine familiarity with intrigue: 91% ex-Bourbon, 4% new Mizunara, 4% Oloroso Sherry, and 1% refilled Scotch. It’s then bottled at 50% ABV.

“This is moreish mastery from Fukuoka in southern Japan,” says Rob Whitehead, spirits buyer at Berry Bros. & Rudd. “It shows the delicious fruits of experimental fermentation and impeccable distillation.”

While whisky may be a new pursuit at Shinozaki, patience isn’t. Alongside its brewing heritage, it’s also spent over a century in forestry, cultivating its own Mizunara oak, a tree that can take more than 100 years to mature. The result is a self-sustaining source of this rare Japanese oak, revered for its distinctive sandalwood and spice notes.

That combination of long-term thinking and experimentation runs through every part of Shindo’s story. It’s a distillery less concerned with chasing trends than with crafting something enduring.

Shindo Experimental 01 Single Malt Japanese Whisky will be available to pre-order In Bond from 30 October 2025 exclusively at Berry Bros. & Rudd, priced at £63.50 (excluding VAT & Duty). It’s limited to just 300 bottles for the UK.

Phil Huff
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