Mugen Spirit Shogun Nobunaga 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Prime Barrel Pick #162

Mugen Spirit is redefining American bourbon through the lens of Japanese folklore, artistry, and storytelling. During an exclusive private tasting in a Louisville speakeasy hosted by Mugen co-founder Kojin Tashiro, The Prime Barrel selected two standout casks—none more compelling than this extraordinary release of Nobunaga.

Nobunaga begins with a meticulously aged 15-year, 8-month-old Kentucky bourbon that was revealed to be BuffTurkey.  This marks the sixth BuffTurkey selection from The Prime Barrel and is unlike any other.  What truly sets Nobunaga apart is its journey.  After a long maturation, the bourbon was finished in an ex-Japanese whisky barrel from Chichibu, Japan.  

This cask has lived multiple lives:

• Originally aged Kentucky bourbon
• Shipped to Japan and filled with Chichibu blended whisky
• Emptied and returned to Kentucky
• Refilled by Mugen Spirit with 15+ year Kentucky bourbon

The result is a true full-circle maturation story, rarely seen and even more rarely tasted.

Nobunaga is cask strength at 121.2 proof, balancing bold Kentucky character with delicate Japanese-inspired nuance.  With precision barrel finishing of just over 7 months, Nogunaba imports flavor notes from world whisky, including distinct fruit, dried flower, and Swedish baking spice, while preserving the integrity of the aged bourbon. 

Nobunaga is the ultimate love letter from Kentucky to Japan.  Only five barrels were produced by Mugen Spirit, the rarity driven by the extreme difficulty of sourcing and repatriating ex-Japanese whisky barrels back to the United States.  Add Nobunaga to your top shelf and experience bourbon from a barrel that quite literally traveled the world to reach your glass.

Barrel Details:

• Barrel:  1 of only five barrels of Nobunaga produced
• Distilled:  2009 in Frankfort, Kentucky
• Age:  16 years (15 years, 8 months in original cask, additional 7 months in ex-Japanese whisky cask)
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
• Proof: 121.2 proof

Tasting Notes:

Nose:  Opens with classic caramel and vanilla notes, then blossoms into baked orchard fruit, cardamom spice, and dried wild flowers

Palate:  Refined and integrated with sweet vanilla and caramel leading the way before transitioning to soft, rounded baking spice, gentle cinnamon warmth, baked apple, and a lift of cardamom

Finish:  Gently drying and tea-like with light tannic structure and warm honeyed cinnamon

Behind the Name:

Oda Nobunaga was a masterful strategist and a ruthless daimyo who brought Japan to the brink of unification by sword and gun.  In 1582, on the verge of achieving complete unification, he was betrayed.  He committed honorable seppuku in the face of defeat.  This event led to his successors finally unifying Japan and ushering in peace.