A decade of dekantā, captured in a single bottle. To mark ten years of sharing Japan’s finest whiskies, we turned to our friends at Wakatsuru Saburomaru — a distillery with roots stretching back to 1952 — to craft something truly special.

The name Wakatsuru translates into young crane — a symbol of growth, grace, and quiet strength. Much like a whisky that matures through time and patience, dekantā has evolved: from a humble online store with just a few hundred bottles to the world’s largest Japanese whisky collection, and a destination for cask ownership.

This commemorative release is a whisky of that journey — rare, refined, and deeply personal. Limited to 195 bottles only.

Tasting Notes

On the Nose

A vivid waft of coastal smoke - briny and smouldering - rises first, carrying echoes of Islay peat laced with sea air. Beneath it, a rich sweetness unfurls: toasted marshmallow, vanilla pod, and charred coconut. Hints of orchard fruit - baked pear and yellow apple - emerge as it opens, grounded by an earthy undertone from the Toyama-grown malt.

On the Palate

A bold, oily texture delivers waves of flavour. First comes the peat: robust and maritime, with notes of driftwood embers and scorched herbs. Then, the roasted first-fill bourbon casks make their presence known - layers of crème brûlée, grilled banana, and cinnamon bark swirl with dark chocolate and cracked black pepper.

The Finish

Long and smouldering. Dry smoke lingers on the tongue, accompanied by roasted almond, sweet oak, and a flicker of grapefruit peel. A final note of granite-cooled spring water leaves a clean, mineral memory - a nod to its Shogawa River roots.

About Wakatsuru Saburomaru

Established in 1952 and tucked away in the quiet reaches of Toyama Prefecture, it’s a distillery with a resilient spirit — one that has weathered the highs and lows of Japan’s whisky journey and emerged more characterful with every passing year.

Best known for its bold, smoky style and cast iron stills (a true rarity in today’s world), the team here does things a little differently — and that’s exactly why we love them and collaborated with them on this release. From their hands-on approach to production to their quietly rebellious streak when it comes to tradition, Saburomaru whiskies are full of personality.

Now under the care of a new generation of passionate makers, the distillery continues to evolve — crafting expressions that are as distinctive as they are soulful. It’s a place where heritage and innovation go hand in hand, and where every drop tells a story.