Hombo Shuzo has quietly been revolutionizing their Single Malt offerings over the last several years. This is the first from their release from their new distillery at the southern tip of Kyushu. Located 50 kilometers south of Kagoshima, in the same town where Hombo Shuzo was born. The goal of the distillery was not to increase production, but to allow for diversity of spirit through experimentation in a new terroir. The new distillery is in a starkly different climate than Mars Shinshu in Nagano. Both have access to excellent quality water, but the Tsunuki distillery has much higher humidity and great temperature fluctuations, both seasonal and diurnal. Distilled between 2016-17 and bottled in 2020 at 59% abv. This small batch limited edition is a blend of both bourbon and sherry casks. Tasting notes from the distiller, "very rich and has an elegant sweetness like vanilla, maple syrup. Banana crepe, apple pie flavors give complexity to the whisky. Round and rich impression the senses. Sweetness and richness from the bourbon barrels and sherry casks lingers on the finish."