Nine leaves

Nine Leaves is a Japanese micro-distillery founded in 2013 by Yoshiharu Takeuchi in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Located near Lake Biwa, the distillery benefits from an exceptionally pure underground water source, filtered through volcanic rocks, giving its rums a distinctive minerality.

Takeuchi, from a family active in the automotive industry, chose to produce rum to express his creativity, drawing inspiration from the artisanal methods used in the production of single malts. He imported Forsyths stills from Scotland and personally oversaw every stage of production, from fermentation to bottling, including distillation.

Nine Leaves rums are made from unrefined muscovado sugar sourced from Okinawa. Fermentation lasts approximately four days, using various Japanese yeasts, before double distillation in pot stills.

Notable expressions in Nine Leaves include:

• Nine Leaves Clear : an unaged white rum, 50% ABV, offering powerful and fruity aromas with notes of banana, lime, mango, and baked pear.

• Nine Leaves Angel's Half American Oak Cask : a rum aged in American oak casks, offering smooth and balanced flavors.

• Nine Leaves Encrypted III : a complex blend of rums aged 1 to 3 years, matured in six different types of casks, including PX, ex-bourbon, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, offering remarkable depth and complexity.

In 2023, after ten years of operation, Yoshiharu Takeuchi decided to close the distillery. La Maison & Velier acquired the remaining stock, continuing the legacy of Nine Leaves by offering these exceptional rums to enthusiasts worldwide. Nine Leaves rums are renowned for their artisanal quality and unique aromatic profile, reflecting the Japanese terroir and the dedication of their creator.