Tomoe Gozen, the most feared female samurai in Japanese history, was just as as ruthless as she was beautiful. Legend says that she led as many as 1,000 soldiers on the battlefield, being a top military leader in the 13th century. Her weapon of choice was a long curved blade called a naginata, and a short dagger called a kaiken. Tomoe translates to “comma”, and is a comma-like swirl shape on Japanese family crests, a pattern that she wore on her samurai shoulder pads. Gozen is an ancient title given to women of honor.
An homage to this fierce female warrior, this specially made Japanese whisky is crafted at the Yamanashi Prefecture Distillery. Aged 8 years in Mizunara oak barrels, with transfer into a single vat for additional aging. Composed of 60% grain whisky and 40% malt. Warm gold color with notes of honey, fruit, vanilla, and oak. Exotic flavors of red apple, flan, coconut, marzipan, vanilla, and rum cake, with a medium length finish.
