Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has secured a lucrative deal to bring its acclaimed Octave portfolio to the highly prized Japanese whisky market, partnering with one of the country’s most respected independent retailers and importers, Shinanoya.
The independent bottler, based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Shinanoya, a company whose roots date back to 1930, when it began as a local food and liquor store. Today, Shinanoya is a highly respected independent retailer, importer and bottler, renowned among whisky connoisseurs for its exceptionally rigorous private single-cask selections.
The company has also been recognised with four Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine — a landmark achievement for a Japanese whisky business.
With a network of specialist wine and spirits boutiques across Tokyo and Yokohama, flagship stores in prestigious areas including Ginza and Shinjuku, and strong relationships across Japan’s bar sector, Shinanoya offers Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky an exciting platform from which to build its presence in the Japanese market.
The partnership will initially launch 14 casks across four series, with specially curated bottlings created exclusively for the partnership. It includes the Shinanoya Series, which is a Laphroaig 2004, 22-year-old finished in an Oloroso cask with a unique, prestigious label design of a chess motif, signalling their highest-tier whisky releases, considered to be masterpieces.
Japan becomes the latest new market for Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky since the relaunch of The Octave series, which now employs 40 people and continues to expand its international reach. The announcement follows the recent UK launch of the company’s first Octave Mizunara oak cask finish, featuring a triple-cask Auchentoshan. The bottling sold out within just two weeks.
Paul Wang, International Sales Manager at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, said: “This is a really important market for us, given the sheer scale and size of the Shinanoya network that they have built.
He continued; “We’ve curated bottlings specially for this partnership, leaning into label design features that celebrate the coveted Japanese market. I am confident that the bottlings will sell well, and the smaller 200ml Japan Edition bottles, created from four of the series, will give customers the opportunity to sample these drams before selecting their favourite. This is the first time we have ever created bottles of that size for the mass market.”
The partnership will officially launch at this year’s Tokyo Whisky Festival at the International Forum in Chiyoda-ku on November 6th and 7th, when seven bottles from the series will be available for tastings including the Shinanoya Private Bottlings of Laphroaig and Craigellachie.
Yuta Akimoto, Whisky & Spirit Head Buyer for Shinanoya commented: “This has been months in the making, and we’re delighted to be moving forward with the launch of the new packaging design as we build The Octave brand in Japan. A great deal of thought and consideration has gone into the label designs featuring chess pieces and the Japanese flag. Together with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky we have also created The Gambit Series, which will allow bars to create their own private labels while maintaining a consistent visual identity that clearly identifies each bottle as a Shinanoya and Duncan Taylor Octave cask.”
The Shinanoya partnership further strengthens Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky’s growing international presence. The company’s Octave portfolio is now available in more than 60 countries, while global demand continues to drive expansion of the range.
Earlier this year, Duncan Taylor announced plans to reach an inventory of 1,000 different Octave bottlings during 2026, reflecting the continued growth of the portfolio. Since 2009, Duncan Taylor’s Octave releases have received 55 global awards, underlining the reputation the range has established among whisky enthusiasts and industry judges around the world.
