"Size Sake Retail" is set to debut the 100% rainwater-distilled Single Malt Whiskey Spirits from Spring Bay Distillery in Australia's Tasmania Island, showcasing the natural essence of the region. This marks its initial release in the Japanese market.
Size Sake Retail Co., Ltd. (Size Sake: Matudo City, Chiba), will be launching a total of seven items, including Single Malt Whiskey and Gin Vodka, from Spring Bay Distillery (SBD) located on Tasmania Island, Australia, starting from December 14, 2023 (Thursday).
Additionally, we will be offering "pre-release free tastings" at our booth during the "Whiskey Festival 2023 in Tokyo" event on December 2 (Saturday) and 3 (Sunday), organized by Whiskey Bunka Kenkyujo Co., Ltd.
*SBD Tasmanian Barley Single Malt Whiskeys, 4 items
① 『SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Apera』700ml, ALC 46% A single malt whiskey matured in Australian-produced fortified wine casks of Sherry type.
② 『SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Tawny』700ml, ALC 46% A single malt whiskey matured in Australian-produced fortified wine casks of Port type.
③ 『SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Bourbon』700ml, ALC 46% A single malt whiskey matured in first-fill bourbon barrels.
④ 『SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Solera Muscat Cask Finish』700ml, 44% An ambitious single malt whiskey that undergoes sequential maturation in various barrels inspired by the Sherry and Rum Solera systems, finishing with Muscat wine barrels.
*SBD Spirits, 3 items
⑤ 『SBD Classic GIN』700ml, ALC 46% A London Dry type gin made from a base spirit distilled three times in a pot still dedicated to gin, crafted from Australian wheat. It features Tasmanian botanicals such as Bush Pepper, Wattle Seed, and Pepperberry.
⑥ 『SBD Pink GIN』700ml, ALC 40% A pink gin created by infusing Tasmanian raspberries into the base of "SBD Classic GIN" and then adjusting the alcohol content to 40 degrees.
⑦ 『SBD VODKA』500ml, ALC 40 A vodka that prioritizes smoothness, made from Tasmanian barley and Australian wheat.
■ About Spring Bay Distillery (SBD)
Single Malt Whisky from Tasmania's Pristine East Coast
Untouched Nature, Single Malt Whisky from Tasmania's East Coast
Established in 2015, Spring Bay Distillery is a family-owned micro-distillery founded by the husband-and-wife duo, Cam Beckett with Scottish roots, and Suzy Beckett with Irish roots. Located on the untouched east coast of Tasmania, the distillery is a realization of a lifelong dream for the couple who have shared a passion for whisky for over two decades.
Spring Bay Distillery's approach to single malt whisky production involves an uncompromising commitment to quality throughout every step of the process. The raw material is 100% premium Tasmanian barley, locally malted after which it undergoes meticulous fermentation for about five days. The resulting high-quality wash is distilled to produce the new make spirit. Carefully selected barrels and the most distinctive ingredient, the endlessly transparent and clean rainwater from Tasmania's east coast, are used as 100% brewing water.
Leveraging the unique feature of being 100% rainwater distilled, Spring Bay Distillery not only produces single malt whisky but also offers a lineup of gin using local botanicals and vodka made from locally sourced barley.
■ About Tasmania Island
Located in the southeastern part of the Australian continent, Tasmania Island has an area of 64,400 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than Hokkaido or Scotland.
With a population of approximately 500,000, Tasmania leverages its rich natural environment, characterized by a mild maritime climate. In 2020, the island achieved the goal of meeting all its electricity needs through renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind power.
Situated to the south, Tasmania faces the Southern Ocean and has a unique environment with views of the unpolluted Antarctic continent, earning it the reputation of being "one of the cleanest places in the world in terms of air and water." Particularly in winter, winds from Antarctica blow, and the rain from these winds is known to be so clean that it requires minimal filtering before being sold.
■ About Spring Bay Distillery's Distillation Equipment
In 2015, a distillery was established along Spring Beach on the east coast of Tasmania. Starting with only one handmade copper pot still (1200 liters), the whisky production began, with an initial annual output of around 5000 liters.
In 2018, following recognition as one of the top four whisky and spirits distilleries in Tasmania according to The Australian Financial Review, a second distillery was constructed in Cambridge, a bit inland from Spring Beach and near the state capital, Hobart, in 2019. This second facility also introduced a Tasmanian handmade copper pot still (PETER BAILLY STILLS) with a doubled capacity of 2500 liters, aptly named "The Beast." Simultaneously, the original pot still from the first distillery was named "The Beauty" and repurposed for gin production, continuing to be utilized to this day.
In line with Tasmania's commitment to 100% renewable energy, these pot stills use steam indirectly heated by electricity. The line arm is designed to slope downward at 10 degrees, and the cooling is achieved through a shell and tube system.
The annual production capacity of the second distillery is approximately 25,000 to 30,000 liters.
Tasmanian-made 4-roller mills are used for milling, stainless steel is used for mash tuns, and three stainless steel washbacks with a capacity of 3000 liters each are employed, conducting three mashes per week with a batch size of 400kg.
A notable feature of Spring Bay Distillery is the rainwater used for fermentation, which undergoes a five-stage filtration process, including 20μm, 5μm, and 1μm mesh filters, charcoal filters, and UV filters to ensure safety.
For maturation, a three-tiered Dunnage warehousing system is adopted. With an average annual temperature of around 17°C and minimal temperature fluctuations, maturation progresses slowly, similar to the conditions in Scotland.
■ TWSC 2023 Gold and Category Award Winners
Supported by the Embassy of Australia in Japan, the Tasmanian State Government, and others, SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Tawny, entered in the TWSC 2023, received the Gold Award. Additionally, it was honored with the Best Oceaniac Whisky category award.
- JAN codes and expected in-store prices (tax included) for each product:
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SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Apera 700ml, ALC 46% JAN: 0794712820246, Expected Price: ¥14,980-
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SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Tawny 700ml, ALC 46% JAN: 0793591917894, Expected Price: ¥14,980-
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SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Bourbon 700ml, ALC 46% JAN: 0793591917832, Expected Price: ¥14,980
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SBD TASMANIAN Single Malt Whisky Solera Muscat cask Finish 700ml, ALC 44% JAN: 0754590963589, Expected Price: ¥11,980-
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SBD Classic GIN 700ml, ALC 46% JAN: 0797776945979, Expected Price: ¥5,480-
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SBD Pink GIN 700ml, ALC 40% JAN: 0793591917801, Expected Price: ¥5,480-
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SBD VODKA 500ml, ALC 40% JAN: 0793591917887, Expected Price: ¥3,580-
Links:
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Size Shuhan (サイズ酒販) Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScytheShuhan
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Whisky Festival 2023 in Tokyo: https://whiskyfestival.jp/tokyo2023/open/
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TWSC 2023 Results: https://tokyowhiskyspiritscompetition.jp/winnersresult/
*All images related to Tasmania Island are sourced from www.discovertasmania.com.au.
For inquiries about purchasing (wholesale) or detailed information on each product, please contact:
Official Japanese Distributor Size Shuhan (Size Shuhan Co., Ltd.)
Email: shuhan@scythe.co.jp
For business terms and quotations, please inquire at https://www.scythe.co.jp/corporation-contact-liquor.
Phone: 047-382-6681 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, excluding weekends and holidays) Fax: 047-382-6682
About Spring Bay Distillery (SBD) Official Japanese Distributor Size Shuhan (Size Shuhan Co., Ltd.):
Established in 2008 (founded in 2003), our company primarily deals with our own brand products of computer peripherals and products from various international manufacturers. Combining our extensive experience in trade, wholesale, and agency operations with the strong motivation of members knowledgeable in whiskey internally, we have launched "Size Shuhan." Under this banner, we aim to contribute to whiskey and spirits enthusiasts by handling products from distilleries that have not yet landed in Japan, as well as small-batch products not yet imported to Japan.
Representative: Tokuhiro Watanabe, CEO Location: 483-2 Matsuhidai, Matsudo-shi, Chiba 270-2214, Japan