As noted in this blog post, Gaiflow Shizuoka Distillery (静岡蒸溜所) has decided to unilaterally change bottle sizes for new releases and private cask bottlings from 700ml to 500ml.
The new bottle is surprisingly unaesthetic:
The posted reasoning for this change is “to bring as many bottles of Shizuoka whiskey to you as possible.”
Their latest United S is selling for￥7,821 compared to previous at￥9,845, which is ￥15.642/ml vs ￥14.0643/ml, so this is also an 11.2% price hike, coupled with reduced cost of materials for the bottles themselves.
The size of the out-turn has doubled from 5,000 to 10,000 bottles.
Response on Twitter was negative, with a poll gaining 645 votes, 33% of which are opposing the 500ml unification, and 62% of which are opposing it and preferring it be optional, with just 5% supporting the new bottle size:
Personally, my interest in Shizuoka distillery has been declining with time, and these kind of changes do nothing to respark it. I would prefer to see growth in the art and skill of making good whisky and an honest, up-front price hike if necessary.
