Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat restaurant in Bishopsgate, London, includes one the Japan’s rarest ever whiskies on its bar. It’s believed Lucky Cat is one of the only venues in the UK whisky fans will get the chance to enjoy a taste of real whisky history - if they’ve got a spare couple of grand to spend on a dram, that is.
The whisky in question is the Shirakawa 1958, which is understood to be the only single malt to be released from the long closed distillery.
Uncovering this rare gem was something of a happy accident. Shirakawa closed in 2003 after six decades of production. 16 years later, Tomatin Distillery’s managing director Stephen Bremner chose to research the distillery and its owner, drinks company Takara Shuzo.
It was at Takara Shuzo’s Kurokabegura distillery where Bremner discovered Shirakawa spirit stored in stainless steel tanks. While some information about the whisky remained a mystery - such as the exact age and the casks used to mature the spirit -, it was later brought to light that the liquid had been distilled in 1958.
Speaking on his discovery, Bremner said: “Tomatin Distillery Co was bought by Takara Shuzo in 1986, but it was only in recent years that I became fascinated by the story of Shirakawa and its history of whisky production and embarked on a journey to find out more.
“When I discovered that the last remaining stock was distilled in 1958, I was astounded. It was a genuine ‘wow’ moment as I realised very quickly that what we were dealing with was extremely rare.
“Crafted in the early days of malt production in Japan, it has a distinctive flavour profile, with aromas of exotic incense giving way to grass and fruits before a hint of mint on the finish. It is truly extraordinary and conveys the evolving character of Japanese whisky, which is now acclaimed worldwide.”
In 2022, the precious liquid was bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo and then distributed by Tomatin with an RRP £25,000. Only 1,500 bottles were produced, adding to the scarcity of this already exceptionally rare whisky; indeed, it’s highly likely to be the last we’ll see from this lost legend of Japanese whisky.
Shirakawa’s profile has now been raised once again after a bottle of the 1958 was featured in the hit Netflix series ‘Being Gordon Ramsay’. In an episode centred around the Lucky Cat restaurant, construction workers raise concerns about the bar’s shelf, including the Shirakawa 1958, being knocked down during work at the busy site.
The bottle looks to have survived the ordeal and is available at Lucky Cat for £2,300 per dram.
Bremner adds: “We are incredibly honoured that Gordon Ramsay has selected Shirakawa 1958 as the pinnacle of his whisky menu at Lucky Cat. Diners who try it will be transported back to a pioneering era of Japanese whisky as they enjoy one of the rarest drams in the world.”
For more information on the incredible story behind the Shirakawa and its discovery, check out our previous article “The Secrets of Shirakawa & Japan's Rarest Whisky.”
