Review: Maen Japanese Whisky, Complete Lineup
Shaw-Ross International Importers is bringing a new Japanese whisky to U.S. shores: Maen (pronounced “Mi-en”), which means “perfect circle” in Japanese and is evoked by the calligraphed circle presented on the label of all three expressions of the product.
While plenty of production details can be found below, little else is known about the whiskies, including the distillery/distilleries in which they are made. We’re sharing what we do know in the reviews of the full lineup below.
All three are 86 proof and bottled in 700ml screwcapped bottles.
Maen Japanese Blended Whisky – The entry level product is a blend of 20% malt whisky and 80% grain whiskey, the latter made from a mash of corn, barley, and rye. The whiskies are double pot distilled and aged between 3 and 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Innocuous on the nose and quite malty, heavy with doughy cereal grain notes. Just a hint of lemon — let’s say yuzu, even — perks up if you breathe deep along with an almond note, but otherwise the whisky’s about as straightforward as it gets. On the palate, few surprises await, the whisky showing more toasted, bready grains, touched gently with lemon peel. Gentle sesame notes pair well with the more present almond elements to give the finish a soothing nuttiness — though nothing approaching complexity. If ever a whisky felt designed for a highball, this blend is it. B / $65
Maen Japanese Whisky 8 Years Old – A very different product than the blend above, this is a blended pure malt whisky (or vatted malt) made from 100% malted barley, double-distilled, and aged in bourbon barrels for 8 years. Green and a little weedy on the nose, the grain elements taking on a more forceful, mushroomy quality. Leather and burlap notes are prominent, with ample layers of soy. Considerably more interesting on the palate, with a citrus punch that offsets some of the more austere savory qualities. Notes of vanilla cream, toasted meringue, almond butter, and just a pinch of spice. For better or worse, this could pass itself off as any young single malt Scotch, its light and lively finish offering notes of nougat and a gentle sprinkle of baking spices. B+ / $125
Maen Japanese Whisky 12 Years Old – Same as the above, just 4 years older. Similar nose, again quite savory and grainy, those mushroomy notes becoming a bit heavier and beefier. Stronger soy aromas temper any of the more fruit-forward notes from coming to the fore. On the palate, it’s definitely the most cohesive and complex whisky of the bunch, layers of toasted nuts and oak providing a chewy base over which more nuanced fruit notes come into focus: baked apples, mandarins, and ripe banana, all with a toasty underbelly that evokes pie crust. Some sweet and nutty marzipan notes emerge on the finish, plus a touch of lemon to brighten things up. As with the 8 year old, it’s very Scotch-like from start to finish. B+ / $165
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