Niigata is known in Japan for its “Three White” treasures, i.e. snow, rice and sake, and a naturally blessed environment for pure water source. Shinobu means “Forbearance” in Japanese as it is how the distiller’s spirit should be when making quality whisky. Ken Usami, the master distiller of Shinobu Distillery, took the sourced liquid streams, carefully blended them and finished everything in casks of Mizunara—a coveted Japanese oak that imparts delicate notes of sandalwood and spice into matured spirit.