395: Mugen Spirit’s Founder Kojin Tashiro Talks His Lover Letter From Kentucky To Japan On The Bourbon Lens

In the latest episode, Jake talks bar-side with Kojin Tashiro about Mugen Spirit's first small batch blend, the brand's approach to Japanese storytelling, and what's next for the label.

Bourbon Lens is back with a new episode, and this one takes the conversation across the Pacific. Jake sits down bar-side with Kojin Tashiro of Mugen Spirit for a tasting and wide-ranging conversation about building a whiskey brand as a genuine cultural bridge between Kentucky and Japan — not a straight Japanese whiskey play, but something more intentional.

The Introduction to Mugen Spirit

Kojin opens up about a recent trip to Japan and how it tied directly into launching Oni, Mugen’s first full small batch blend. He frames the brand’s philosophy simply:

“We’re a love letter from Kentucky to Japan.”

That framing matters, Kojin explains, because Mugen uses Japanese culture as a lens for the brand rather than forcing every release into a “Japanese whiskey” mold — a distinction he says shapes everything from label art to how the brand pitches itself to Japanese drinkers.

Bridging American and Japanese Whiskey Culture

The conversation digs into how Japanese whiskey culture actually grew out of American whiskey’s popularity in the 1980s, and why that history shapes Kojin’s approach when introducing Mugen in Japan — leading with the historic relationship between American whiskey and Japanese consumers before ever getting into flavor or proof. Jake and Kojin also compare drinking culture between the two countries, including the generational shift away from older drinkers mentoring younger ones socially through whiskey.

The Art of Blending and Creating Oni

Oni gets the deep dive it deserves: Kojin’s first full creation, first blend, and first small batch release, built from roughly 20 barrels and bottled around 117 proof. The label draws on Japanese folklore, with artwork by Japanese artist Yuko Shimizu built around layered meaning. Kojin doesn’t shy away from the word “blended,” either:

“I’m gonna make this a weapon in a good way.”

Nobunaga: A Blend of East and West

From there, the conversation moves through the rest of the Mugen lineup — Tengu, the wheated Kuko release, and Nobunaga from the brand’s shogun series. Nobunaga in particular is positioned as East-meets-West, drawing on the historical figure’s openness to Western ideas and finished in ex-Chichibu casks brought over from Japan.

The Future Aspirations of Mugen Spirit

The episode closes with Kojin looking ahead: more intentional releases, more blending experiments, a deeper presence in both Japan and the U.S., and continued direct-to-consumer drops. Asked about how people should actually drink Mugen’s whiskey, his answer sums up the brand’s whole approach:

“The right way to drink it is however you want to drink it.”

Listen to the Full Episode

The full conversation covers a lot more ground — from Kaizen and intentionality to the ultra-premium whiskey space and how Mugen is building community through Discord and direct-to-consumer drops. Watch or listen to the full episode now, and follow Mugen Spirit to catch upcoming releases and barrel picks.

Story via Bourbon Lens | Bourbon Lens News