Green
Woody
Notesbarleychestnutclary sagemizunara oakoaksandalwoodsmokewhisky
Tags
#smoky
Style
unisex
Rare mizunara oak, used in Japanese whisky barrels, imparts an unusual sandalwood/pineapple undertone to the “water of life” maturing within. This eau de parfum blends the effect of mizunara oaked whisky with the furry, malty smell of chestnut for a moreish, warm experience. Don’t be fooled by the shape of the bottle — this whisky is only for spritzing, not sipping!
In only this life,
let me drink up.
And in lives to come,
I'll be perfectly content
as a bug, a bird.
- Ōtomo no Tabito
この世にし
楽しくあらば
来む世には
虫に鳥にも
我らはなりなむ
- 大伴旅人
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
The register is unhurried and companionable: conversation continuing after the glasses have been cleared, with toasted grain and smoky wood still hanging in the air. Its chestnut warmth gives the whisky accord a tactile softness, while the green edge keeps the mood from becoming overly sweet.
How to wear
Cool autumn and winter weather suits its warm malt, chestnut and smoky woods. Start with one or two sprays on skin: its strong projection calls for restraint indoors. Allow the opening room to settle before adding more; the stated wear time is roughly six to eight hours, with skin-dependent variation.
Who it’s for
For those drawn to spirit-inspired perfumes, smoky woods and toasted, nutty accords rather than sugary gourmands. Mizunara oak and sandalwood provide the woody focus, while clary sage adds a green contrast to the whisky and malt.
Release year
2025
The nose
Anh Ngo created Japanese Whiskey and is credited as the perfumer for d’Annam’s Memories of Japan collection. Here, the composition interprets Japanese whisky through mizunara oak, malted barley, chestnut and smoky woods.
Collaborators
Nick Hoang served as creative director, shaping the fragrance’s concept alongside perfumer Anh Ngo. The wider Memories of Japan collection also credits Kazuki Yamamoto as cultural advisor and Keita Sato as poetry curator, supporting its cultural and literary framework.
d'Annam’s story
d’Annam is a Vietnamese fine-fragrance house exploring Asian cultures through scent. Guided by calmness, delight and respect, it works with local creatives to turn cultural references and personal memories into emotional narratives rather than attempting to represent an entire culture in a single perfume.
Japanese Whiskey’s concept
Japanese Whiskey belongs to Chapter 2: Memories of Japan, a nine-fragrance tribute to Japanese culture. Its concept captures the lingering impression of a final sip of single malt: aged mizunara oak, toasted grain and a trace of smoke. A poem by Ōtomo no Tabito, celebrating the pleasures of drinking in this life, supplies its literary counterpoint.
Extra info
Japanese Whiskey was an Independent-category finalist at the 2026 Art and Olfaction Awards. Its 150 ml bottle is notably larger than the 50 ml bottles of the other eight fragrances in Memories of Japan, with a shape reminiscent of a spirits decanter.
Featured in edits and sample packs
Clean & Serene Sandalwoods
Also featured in
Italian AuraSandalwood Gifts
Notesbarleychestnutclary sagemizunara oakoaksandalwoodsmokewhisky
Tags
#smoky
Style
unisex
Rare mizunara oak, used in Japanese whisky barrels, imparts an unusual sandalwood/pineapple undertone to the “water of life” maturing within. This eau de parfum blends the effect of mizunara oaked whisky with the furry, malty smell of chestnut for a moreish, warm experience. Don’t be fooled by the shape of the bottle — this whisky is only for spritzing, not sipping!
In only this life,
let me drink up.
And in lives to come,
I'll be perfectly content
as a bug, a bird.
- Ōtomo no Tabito
この世にし
楽しくあらば
来む世には
虫に鳥にも
我らはなりなむ
- 大伴旅人
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
The register is unhurried and companionable: conversation continuing after the glasses have been cleared, with toasted grain and smoky wood still hanging in the air. Its chestnut warmth gives the whisky accord a tactile softness, while the green edge keeps the mood from becoming overly sweet.
How to wear
Cool autumn and winter weather suits its warm malt, chestnut and smoky woods. Start with one or two sprays on skin: its strong projection calls for restraint indoors. Allow the opening room to settle before adding more; the stated wear time is roughly six to eight hours, with skin-dependent variation.
Who it’s for
For those drawn to spirit-inspired perfumes, smoky woods and toasted, nutty accords rather than sugary gourmands. Mizunara oak and sandalwood provide the woody focus, while clary sage adds a green contrast to the whisky and malt.
Release year
2025
The nose
Anh Ngo created Japanese Whiskey and is credited as the perfumer for d’Annam’s Memories of Japan collection. Here, the composition interprets Japanese whisky through mizunara oak, malted barley, chestnut and smoky woods.
Collaborators
Nick Hoang served as creative director, shaping the fragrance’s concept alongside perfumer Anh Ngo. The wider Memories of Japan collection also credits Kazuki Yamamoto as cultural advisor and Keita Sato as poetry curator, supporting its cultural and literary framework.
d'Annam’s story
d’Annam is a Vietnamese fine-fragrance house exploring Asian cultures through scent. Guided by calmness, delight and respect, it works with local creatives to turn cultural references and personal memories into emotional narratives rather than attempting to represent an entire culture in a single perfume.
Japanese Whiskey’s concept
Japanese Whiskey belongs to Chapter 2: Memories of Japan, a nine-fragrance tribute to Japanese culture. Its concept captures the lingering impression of a final sip of single malt: aged mizunara oak, toasted grain and a trace of smoke. A poem by Ōtomo no Tabito, celebrating the pleasures of drinking in this life, supplies its literary counterpoint.
Extra info
Japanese Whiskey was an Independent-category finalist at the 2026 Art and Olfaction Awards. Its 150 ml bottle is notably larger than the 50 ml bottles of the other eight fragrances in Memories of Japan, with a shape reminiscent of a spirits decanter.
Featured in edits and sample packs
Clean & Serene Sandalwoods
Also featured in
Italian AuraSandalwood Gifts