Japan's First "Smith & Wollensky" Collaborates with Continuously Challenging Craftsmen Group "Nishi Shuzo" to Launch "S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky" Starting May 1!
Mitake Distillery, operated by Nishi Shuzo Co., Ltd., has collaborated with the US-based high-end steakhouse "Smith & Wollensky" to develop "S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky." This unique whisky, designed for pairing with steak and aged in selected sherry casks, will be exclusively offered at the Ginza store starting May 1, 2026, with plans for global expansion to other Smith & Wollensky locations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 23:09 (12h 38m after Collected)
Mitake Distillery, operated by Nishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Location: Hiyoshi City, Kagoshima Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoichiro Nishi), has realized this project through a collaboration with the US-based high-end steakhouse "Smith & Wollensky." This product was designed with steak pairing in mind, selecting specific sherry casks. It is a completely original Mitake Single Malt Whisky, both in label and content. Future plans include deployment at Smith & Wollensky locations worldwide, and prior to that, it will be offered exclusively at the Ginza store.
S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky
The unblended whisky distilled in 2019, the inaugural year of Mitake Distillery, was aged in first-fill Oloroso Solera sherry butts.
Its beautiful amber gold color, with a subtle reddish hue derived from the sherry cask, adds depth.
The aroma is rich and opulent. It spreads with a concentrated sweet and fruity fragrance reminiscent of dried apricots, caramelized apples, and prunes stewed in red wine.
The palate is smooth and silky. The dense flavor of dried fruits is gently layered with vanilla derived from the cask, forming a rich taste. The alcohol dissolves smoothly, and a pleasant, soft finish lingers, further enhancing the umami of meat dishes.
Product Overview
- Product Name: S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky
- Release Date: May 1, 2026 (Friday) ~
- Alcohol Content: 43%
- Ingredients: Malt
- Volume: 700ml
- Available at: Smith & Wollensky GINZA
About Smith & Wollensky
Since its founding in 1977, Smith & Wollensky has been a quintessential American classic steakhouse, consistently delivering unparalleled hospitality and the finest USDA Prime steaks. The beef, hand-cut daily in-house, undergoes dry-aging in dedicated aging rooms to maximize its tenderness and deep umami.
Currently, Smith & Wollensky operates 13 locations worldwide. It has 7 stores in the United States (New York, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, and three locations in the Boston area), as well as international presence in global cities such as London, Taipei, Taichung, Seoul, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur.
Its acclaimed wine list, sophisticated ambiance, and exceptional service are all designed to provide guests with a truly memorable steakhouse experience. Its achievements have been highly praised both domestically and internationally, receiving numerous prestigious awards such as Wine Spectator's "Grand Award of Excellence" and DiRoNA's "Award of Excellence" for distinguished restaurants in North America.
Official Name: Smith & Wollensky GINZA (Smith and Wollensky Ginza)
Address: Seiwa Ginza Building 12F, 5-8-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Seating Capacity: 146 seats
HP: https://www.smithandwollensky.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithwollensky_japan/
Reservations: https://www.tablecheck.com/ja/smithandwollensky/reserve/message
About "Mitake Distillery"
Mitake Distillery, operated by Nishi Shuzo, which was recognized as the SPIRITS PRODUCER TOP50 and Japan's No. 1 at the 2025 IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition), is located on a highland approximately 400 meters above sea level, overlooking Kinko Bay and Mt. Mitake (Sakurajima). This area boasts abundant natural soft water, a cool climate suitable for storage even in hot seasons, and clear air, making it an ideal place to embark on the challenge of whisky making.
Ingredients are life.
The water used is natural soft water, gushing over 1,000 liters per minute, filtered and polished over many years by the rich forests of the hills surrounding Mitake Distillery, making it optimal for whisky production. The yeast is selected from those maintained by Nishi Shuzo, and carefully chosen two-row barley and all strictly selected old sherry casks are used. Mitake Distillery's whisky is made with the many lives of Kagoshima.
The taste Mitake Distillery aims for.
Mitake Distillery's stills, both for first and second distillation, are designed with an upward-angled line arm. This design allows heavier flavor components to fall back, extracting only the "fruity and deep flavor components" that reach the top of the still.
Therefore
Keywords:
S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky
The unblended whisky distilled in 2019, the inaugural year of Mitake Distillery, was aged in first-fill Oloroso Solera sherry butts.
Its beautiful amber gold color, with a subtle reddish hue derived from the sherry cask, adds depth.
The aroma is rich and opulent. It spreads with a concentrated sweet and fruity fragrance reminiscent of dried apricots, caramelized apples, and prunes stewed in red wine.
The palate is smooth and silky. The dense flavor of dried fruits is gently layered with vanilla derived from the cask, forming a rich taste. The alcohol dissolves smoothly, and a pleasant, soft finish lingers, further enhancing the umami of meat dishes.
Product Overview
- Product Name: S&W×Mitake Single Malt Whisky
- Release Date: May 1, 2026 (Friday) ~
- Alcohol Content: 43%
- Ingredients: Malt
- Volume: 700ml
- Available at: Smith & Wollensky GINZA
About Smith & Wollensky
Since its founding in 1977, Smith & Wollensky has been a quintessential American classic steakhouse, consistently delivering unparalleled hospitality and the finest USDA Prime steaks. The beef, hand-cut daily in-house, undergoes dry-aging in dedicated aging rooms to maximize its tenderness and deep umami.
Currently, Smith & Wollensky operates 13 locations worldwide. It has 7 stores in the United States (New York, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, and three locations in the Boston area), as well as international presence in global cities such as London, Taipei, Taichung, Seoul, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur.
Its acclaimed wine list, sophisticated ambiance, and exceptional service are all designed to provide guests with a truly memorable steakhouse experience. Its achievements have been highly praised both domestically and internationally, receiving numerous prestigious awards such as Wine Spectator's "Grand Award of Excellence" and DiRoNA's "Award of Excellence" for distinguished restaurants in North America.
Official Name: Smith & Wollensky GINZA (Smith and Wollensky Ginza)
Address: Seiwa Ginza Building 12F, 5-8-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Seating Capacity: 146 seats
HP: https://www.smithandwollensky.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithwollensky_japan/
Reservations: https://www.tablecheck.com/ja/smithandwollensky/reserve/message
About "Mitake Distillery"
Mitake Distillery, operated by Nishi Shuzo, which was recognized as the SPIRITS PRODUCER TOP50 and Japan's No. 1 at the 2025 IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition), is located on a highland approximately 400 meters above sea level, overlooking Kinko Bay and Mt. Mitake (Sakurajima). This area boasts abundant natural soft water, a cool climate suitable for storage even in hot seasons, and clear air, making it an ideal place to embark on the challenge of whisky making.
Ingredients are life.
The water used is natural soft water, gushing over 1,000 liters per minute, filtered and polished over many years by the rich forests of the hills surrounding Mitake Distillery, making it optimal for whisky production. The yeast is selected from those maintained by Nishi Shuzo, and carefully chosen two-row barley and all strictly selected old sherry casks are used. Mitake Distillery's whisky is made with the many lives of Kagoshima.
The taste Mitake Distillery aims for.
Mitake Distillery's stills, both for first and second distillation, are designed with an upward-angled line arm. This design allows heavier flavor components to fall back, extracting only the "fruity and deep flavor components" that reach the top of the still.
Therefore
Keywords: