Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review

As far as I know, and as far as I could find online, the Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky is the first whisky ever brought to market that was aged in casks made from cedar. To get a bit more specific it’s made from Japanese Cedar, also known as Yoshino-sugi.

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky

To create this whisky, the folks at Kamiki blend together malts from around the world, including Japan, to create their core whisky. The cask types and distilleries are not disclosed, but after the whiskies are blended they go into some casks created specifically for Kamiki. No word on how long the finishing process is, but its mark is definitely felt as we’ll see in the whisky review below.

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In Kamiki’s Words:

“Inspired by the timeless tradition of the region, we skillfully blend the finest malt whiskies from Japan with our reserve of malt whiskies, and mature for a second time in Japanese cedar casks, to create a perfectly smooth blend with a scent of sandalwood and a zest of green tea in the finish.

In search of the best tasting Japanese Style Whisky, we blend Kamiki at its peak flavor rather than at a predetermined ratio. As a results each small batch is unique and limited with stocks.”

Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Japan

Distiller: Undisclosed
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Cedar, possibly others.
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $80*

Tasting Notes

EYE
Amber

NOSE
Apricots, bubblegum, spirity malt, spice, banana taffy, cedar, vanilla and some light sugary sweet notes.

PALATE
Cedar, malt, apricots, spice, spirity malt, dried fruit, bubblegum and some smoke and banana taffy.

FINISH
Long -> Stale malt, smoke, chalk and cedar.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not balanced, medium body and light chalky feel.

A spicy and potent whisky that doesn’t quite come together. I like the smell of cedar, but not in my whisky; it’s something I’d love to have a candle of, but not a glass of.

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review: Overall and Score

Looking for something wholly unique? Look no further. The Aroma is light and a tad spirity with some smoke and fruity candy sweetness running through with the cedar hanging in the back and building as it opens; Palate comes through young with an almost unruly sweetness, like the Aroma the Cedar starts light but builds with each sip; Finish dives headlong into cedar and lingers like a party guest that won’t leave, but once they do you miss them a little in a Stockholm syndrome kind of way.

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky would make a great candle, but I’m not wild about it as beverage. The Cedar starts light, builds, hits a crescendo and then backs off and fades out a bit across the senses. Once it fades a bit, the whisky takes on a young spirity malt and bubblegum profile that’s less interesting but a better presentation than chewing on a plank of cedar.

SCORE: 76/100 (C)

Disclosure: This Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky* was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review $80

Nose - 76
Palate - 76
Finish - 76
Balance, Body & Feel - 76

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky Review Summary

Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky is a spicy and potent whisky that doesn’t quite come together. I like the smell of cedar, but not in my whisky; it’s something I’d love to have a candle of, but not a glass of.