Takamine Whisky Tasting Event
I first tasted this whiskey at a very large event with hundreds of others. Hands down, Takamine 17 was “The Best in Show” Join us... Thursday, May 8th, 5:30pm. Read on...
May 8, 2025
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Takamine Tasting Event
THURSDAY May 8, 5:30.
Featuring – Rare Japanese Whiskey – Takamine 17 Y.O.
I first tasted this whiskey at a very large event with hundreds of others. Hands down, Takamine 17 was “The Best in Show”. And, judging by how quickly it became impossible to find, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. So when by some fortune a few additional cases of Takamine 17 surfaced from the whiskey gods, I didn’t hesitate to bring in what I could to Federal.
With generations of experience as sake makers, armed with unmatched Koji fermentation expertise, the Shinozaki family began distilling shoju in 1979. After nearly twenty years honing their skills in shoju distillation, Shinozaki Distillery set their sights on creating a Koji-fermented whiskey.
Koji fermentation is a process where a special mold is sprinkled on the barley to accomplish what normally occurs during malting. Like malting, this mold produces enzymes that break down starches and proteins into sugars and amino acids, making the whiskey more flavorful.
This Koji-fermented 17-year-old whiskey is all pot-stilled barley. It is a one-time micro-batch release aged in refilled American white oak casks. It is bottled at natural cask strength, non-chill filtered with no added color and comes in at 43.5% ABV.
Tasting Notes: My recommendation is to wait a few minutes before nosing to let some of the alcohol dissipate. The palate is where things really begin to shine as notes of coconut, banana bread, dates, tobacco, vanilla, and buttery oak subtly intermingle. The mouthfeel is silky smooth and the finish is long and rewarding – for me evoking the memory of Fruity Pebbles flavored milk. Like many other whiskey’s one is rewarded as you continue to sip, and your palate adjusts.
The Bottom Line: Takamine 17 is an extraordinary whiskey that is ideal for whiskey geeks who are looking for something different and exclusive. I know I am going to pick up a second bottle!
$249.99 (only 18 bottles available)
Brand ambassador Jake Tennenbaum will present the whiskey along with three other fine Takamine whiskies.
8-Year: $95.99 Special tasting price 89.99
17-Year: $249.99 Special Tasting Price $229.99
20-Year: $299.99. Pre-order only
26-Year: $499.99. Pre-order only
David Kreiss
Discounted pricing good through Saturday, May 10.
Free delivery in Boston Metro for orders over $200.
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- The Dumbarton Distillery, 31.1%
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From the Vault: Compass Box - Hedonism MMXVI-C
For our first whisky offer of the fall season, we thought it would be cool to give you access to an older release of Compass Box’s signature Blended Grain Scotch Whiskey, Hedonism.
October 23, 2024
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For our first whisky offer of the fall season, we thought it would be cool to give you access to an older release of Compass Box’s signature Blended Grain Scotch Whiskey, Hedonism.
Hedonism was the first whisky Compass Box brought to market in 2000 under the tutelage of master blender and founder John Glaser. While John left Compass Box this past May, we are fortunate to have a few bottles of his 2016 release in the cellar.
Hedonism is known for its vanilla cream, toffee, and coconut notes. In addition to just being delicious, this flavor profile makes Hedonism a great gateway whisky for the curious bourbon drinker.
The particulars for this blended batch:
The single grains are between the ages of 14 and 29 and bottled at 43% with no chill-filtration and no caramel coloring. All were aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and represent the following distilleries:
The main difference between single grain and single malt is that a single malt can only be produced from malted barley. Single-grain scotch whisky is made by one single distillery using any cereal from malted or unmalted barley, rye, wheat, and corn. Single” refers to the distillery, not the number of grains used. Another difference is grain whiskies are often distilled using column stills instead of pot stills, which are required for distilling single malts.
You will like the price, $114, the same as it was on release seven years ago in 2017. This price is good through the end of October, so get a bottle while the gettin’ is good!
Free Delivery in the Greater Boston area on orders at least $200,
Delivery in the rest of the state at standard FedEx rates
Sorry, we can’t ship of state
David Kreiss
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Free Delivery on Orders of $199 or more in Greater Boston
Fedex Delivery in Mass $20
Sorry, we cannot ship spirits out of state.
