Love Drinks has entered the Japanese drinks sector for the first time after taking on the UK distribution for the Ikigai Collection.
The independent importer will initially focus on whisky, specifically the Kurayoshi Distillery’s ‘The Matsui Single Malt’, ‘The Kurayoshi Pure Malt’ and ‘The Tottori Blended’ ranges, which are now available to the Scottish off-trade.
Curated by BBC Spirits, the Ikigai Collection features a variety of luxury Japanese drinks including whiskies from The Kurayoshi Distillery, rums from Helios Distillery, gins from Etsu and the La Tomato, Yuzu and Okinawa liqueurs.
The Matsui Single Malt range comprises a trio of whiskies from the Kurayoshi Distillery, matured in wooden barrels and packaged to showcase Japanese culture. These include The Matsui Mizunara Cask, The Matsui Sakura Cask and The Matsui The Peated.
The Kurayoshi Pure Malt selection showcases five blended Japanese malt whiskies, which have been aged in different wooden barrels for different time periods, including Kurayoshi Pure Malt, Kurayoshi Sherry Cask, Kurayoshi Pure Malt Whisky 8 YO and Kurayoshi Pure Malt Whisky 12 YO.
The Tottori Blended Duo comprises The Tottori Blended Whisky and The Tottori Bourbon Barrel.
Samantha Burke, Managing Director of Love Drinks, commented: “The Japanese whisky sector has been one of the most exciting internationally in the last few years and there are definitely more UK consumers delving into the category, as many adapt a more discerning, quality-over-quantity approach to drinking.
“The Kurayoshi Distillery has an incredible portfolio to suit and excite all tastes so we’re looking forward to growing the brand and the enthusiasm for luxury Japanese drinks as a whole in the UK.”
