PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Onikishi takes its name from a genuine piece of Japanese folklore wordplay — "Oni" for demon, "Kishi" for honorable knight — and Cherry Blossom Sakura channels that mythical "Demon Knight" persona into a whisky built entirely around one of Japan's most culturally resonant symbols: the cherry blossom. Rather than the more familiar bourbon, sherry, or mizunara oak finishes most Japanese whisky relies on, this blend rests in genuine sakura wood casks, a deliberately rare and unusual choice designed to capture the fleeting, poetic beauty of hanami season directly in the glass.
As Grapes & Grains' own review frames it, this is "as much about cultural expression as flavor, demonstrating how Japanese whisky can embody national identity through creative production methods" — cherry blossoms in Japan carry real symbolic weight around beauty, impermanence, and renewal, and the whisky is built specifically to translate those ideas into something genuinely drinkable. The Liquor Bros' own copy calls the cask choice "rare and refined, adding floral nuance and aromatic depth" to what's ultimately "beautifully balanced — sweet, floral, fruity, and lightly spiced."
Onikishi Cherry Blossom Sakura Japanese Whisky is a blended whisky finished in genuine sakura (cherry blossom) wood casks, part of the broader Onikishi series, which draws its name and mythology from the "Oni" demon and honorable "Kishi" knight of Japanese folklore. The whisky is presented as a limited-edition release, inspired by Japan's cherry blossom season. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof, 700ml.
No formal numerical critic score from a major spirits publication is confirmed for this product at this time.
Whiskybase community (extended independent review):
"I checked my notes on my experience with distillates from the Land of the Cherry Blossoms. Most were so-so, even those with 'single malt' in the title. This version is a blend, but it's constructed in such a way that it's drinkable and savoury. At first approach, the whisky is surprisingly ethereal and floral. I'd be tempted to say it's perfume-like. It smells of honey, yogurt with cherries. I don't know if it's acacia or linden honey, but it's quite pleasant. After a moment, juicy pear with vanilla appears. The overall sweetness is sweet, but not overdone — the sweetness is natural, fruity and honeyed, not sugary."
Onikishi (official tasting note):
"On the nose, Onikishi Cherry Blossom Sakura offers a delicate bouquet of soft cherry blossoms, light vanilla, and a hint of honey. The palate is silky and smooth, with layers of ripe fruit, gentle spice, and a floral sweetness, all balanced by the subtle oak influence. The finish is soft and lingering, with a faint, refreshing hint of sakura."
Nose
Ethereal and floral, with honey blossom and cherry blossom leading, joined by geranium, violet petal, and vanilla, alongside a subtle almond note.
Palate
Silky and smooth, with manuka honey and ripe fruit carrying the entry, developing juicy pear, white peach, almond cream, and lemon verbena, balanced by gentle spice and subtle oak.
Finish
Soft and lingering, closing with lemongrass, cedar, and a faint, refreshing hint of sakura — sweetly natural rather than sugary.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Blended Japanese Whisky — Sakura Cask Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 43% ABV / 86 Proof |
| Finishing | Genuine cherry blossom (sakura) wood casks |
| Series | Onikishi — inspired by "Oni" demon & "Kishi" knight folklore |
| Release | Limited edition, seasonal (cherry blossom themed) |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely distinctive, floral, novelty-driven Japanese whisky — real cultural storytelling in the glass |
| Aromas & Flavors | Cherry blossom, honey, vanilla, violet, almond, light oak |
| Bottle Size | 700ml |
Enjoy neat, on the rocks, or in a classic whiskey cocktail.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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