Nine Leaves, 4-casks Ex-Bourbon, 2017, Pure Single Japanese Rum (59%, 70cl)

Nine Leaves is an extraordinary Japanese rum, crafted with precision and passion by Yoshiharu Takeuchi, who founded the distillery in Otsu in 2013. From barrel handling to bottling, Yoshiharu oversaw every step of the process until the distillery closed in late 2023. Shortly after, La Maison & Velier acquired the entire stock of aging rums and the final batch of white rums, ensuring that the legacy of Nine Leaves continues.

What sets Nine Leaves apart is its remarkable raw materials: pristine underground spring water and Kokuto sugar from the Okinawa archipelago. Fermentation lasts approximately four days, followed by double distillation in Forsyth’s Scottish pot stills—one inspired by Chichibu and the other by Glenmorangie—creating a perfectly balanced spirit with incredible aromatic complexity. The rums are then aged in casks in two unique environments: a warehouse with extreme temperature variations and an abandoned mine offering high humidity and consistently low temperatures.

This particular expression, distilled in 2017 and matured in an ex-Bourbon cask, is among the first five bottlings selected by La Maison & Velier. Its label design draws inspiration from Unsun Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game dating back to the Edo period. The game’s deck consists of 75 intricately designed cards featuring suits of cups, clubs, swords, and deniers—similar to Western playing cards—but with a distinctive Japanese touch. A unique fifth suit, the guru, is marked by the mitsudomoe, a symbolic three-comma motif. Adding to the deck’s allure are dragon cards, whose value shifts depending on the game being played.

This Nine Leaves bottling is a rare and elegant tribute to Japanese craftsmanship, blending tradition, innovation, and meticulous aging for a truly exceptional rum experience.

Due to limited supplies, orders are limited to 1 bottle per customer.

Discount codes and other discounts do not apply to this product.