Indiana and Japan Collide in World Whiskey Society’s Awamori Cask-Finished Rye Whiskey

On Thursday, The World Whiskey Society expanded its catalog with a 12-year-old Indiana rye whiskey finished in ex-awamori casks, a technique that the brand claims is a first.

Distilled from long-grain Indica rice in Okinawa, Japan, awamori combines the floral palate of sake with the higher-proof bite of shochu. The regional spirit is typically stored in clay pots but sometimes matures in Japanese oak barrels.

These were the barrels that the WWS ultimately recruited for its latest whiskey, which first spent 12 years maturing in American oak casks. The whiskey, likely sourced from MGP, is composed of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. According to the brand, classic rye notes of black pepper, cinnamon, caramelized sugar and honey play off subtle Japanese influences of brine, toasted coconut and ripe mango.

The final product was bottled at 48% ABV and limited to a run of just 356 bottles. Those in search of this transpacific collaboration can find the expression for pre-order online at $169.

“We’re constantly seeking new ways to experiment with finishes, so when the opportunity to obtain rare ex-Awamori casks presented itself, we seized it and pushed our limits,” Alex Kogan, World Whiskey Society CEO, commented in a news release. “This marks the first time rye whiskey has been finished in these exceptional casks, proving that embracing innovation can lead to valuable insights and remarkable discoveries.”

In keeping with the brand’s usual tricks, the bottle is topped off with an elaborately on-theme cork. A silver gargoyle — possibly an homage to the onigawara of Japanese folklore — can be spotted perched menacingly above its liquor dominion. Past bottlings from the WWS have leaned even harder into these kinds of motifs; its port-finished Japanese single malt is topped off with a bronze samurai mask, while its western-inspired Wyatt Earp whiskeys are corked with firing cylinders filled with mock bullets.

(Photo: The World Whiskey Society)

The WWS was brought to market in 2020 by Alex and Irina Kogan. Its stated goal — to “scour the globe far and wide” in search of unique distillers — has already resulted in some fantastic spirits. We were particular fans of its Doc Holliday 7-Year Bourbon, brimming with gobs of apple butter, char, toffee and cherry cola.

For display’s sake, we’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the 10-year-old bourbon housed inside a towering glass unicorn decanter.

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