It's an adventure in itself just reaching Nc'nean, a remote and free-spirited whisky startup 12 (slow) miles down a single-track road on the Morvern peninsula on Scotland . After the tour you head to the shop, but for some of the whiskys on sale there is a strict limit of one per customer. With that, a new internationally renowned whisky culture was born. 50%. Great place to meet up . Home / Japan Whisky March 2023 EATING 15% DRINKING 35% SIGHTSEEING 40% FREE TIME 10% The Japanese whisky scene has really blossomed over the last 20 years. The Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art is a short walk away. Discover the world of Japanese whisky and spirits through tastings, guides, advices and news. Entry to the museum is free and the distillery tour costs 1,000 yen. Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers! Three rivers converge near Yamazaki creating nearly year-round thick mists. Found throughout Japan, these distilleries showcase the countrys beauty, along with a whisky-making culture that is both pleasantly familiar yet intriguingly distinct from Western convention. 5 Chome-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima District, Osaka 618-0001, Japan, 2913-1 Hakushucho Torihara, Hokuto, Yamanashi 408-0316, Japan, 7-6 Kurokawacho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun 046-0003, Hokkaido, Japan, 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu-shi, Saitama-ken, Japan, 970 Shibanta, Gotemba, Shizuoka 412-0003, Japan, far wider than its now-defunct single malts. There, he apprenticed at Scotch whisky distilleries, learning the finer points of distillation from masters in the . Any distillery tour is a must for Whisky enthusiasts but here is a selection of some of the best - Suntory Hakushu, Suntory Yamazaki, Nikka Miyagikyo, Nikka Yoichi Destinations Sushi pairings included. On the first floor are displays chronicling the history ofSuntory and it's founder. Yoichi Distillery is housed in the quaint town of Otaru in Hokkaido, and during winter, it is easily one of the most visually whimsical distilleries Japan has. Driven by the attraction of Japanese culture, Japanese whisky is attracting more and more whisky lovers. The country's industry is dominated by the two big producers of Suntory and Nikka. In 1899, Shinjiro Torii founded Torii Shoten which would later become Suntory. Experience the best of Japanese whisky. These are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Longtime drinkers of Japanese whisky note that Nikka discontinued this . Chichibu prioritises using local raw materials to make its single malts, including maturing some of its single malts in Mizunara oak casks, an extremely tricky wood to use in whisky maturation because it is so porous, but the flavours that result from contact with the wood are prized by whisky drinkers worldwide. Tickets for Japanese Whisky & Sushi Tasting in Dallas. A distillery tour is a great way to learn about and try some Japanese whisky. The hot, battered chicken pairs wonderfully with a dry, fizzy highball. Some examples are: Chita, Yamazaki 12, Hakushyu 18, Hibiki Blender's Choice, Yamazaki 1982, and other whisky. Scotswoman Rita Taketsuru marriedMasataka Taketsuru, a Japanese entrepreneur who was involved in setting up Japan's first commercial distillery here in Yamazaki. Japan Japanese Whisky Beatrice Bowers Kyoto 604-8111, yokoso@privatetours.jp 2019 Beam . Spanning 155,000 square metres, this is one of the largest distilleries in the world, producing a vast amount of Kirin Fuji-Sanroku expressions a year. We hope our guide to Japans most essential whisky distilleries helps you plan your visit to Japan! News news list Products Introducing our Flagship Whisky "KURAYOSHI" Label and the others. Please note that we only organize tailor-made private journey for groups of 2 people or more. Contact Number: 0550-89-4909 Fee: Free of Charge *whiskey tasting is up to twice. Spanning 155,000 square metres, this is one of the largest distilleries in the world, producing a vast amount of Kirin Fuji-Sanroku expressions a year. The latest information may differ, so please check the official website. Nikka Whisky From the Barrel. The country is famous for its unique blends of distilled spirits, especially the Hibiki harmony series, which has been an enormous success the world over. Japanese hotels often feature quiet bars with plenty of Japanese whisky in stock. Costco does, in fact, sell Japanese whiskey. Other points of interest include Yama Shrine, the lovely Hakone area (home to many wonderful ryokans), and if youre lucky with clear conditions breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Tours of the distillery begin on the second floor at a display showing the whole process of whisky making. Golf fans have an extra reason to be excited about visiting Fuji Gotemba, since the distillery is close to five scenic golf clubs. Japanese whisky thrived as a mostly domestic phenomenon, but in 2003 Yamazaki 12 Years Old won gold at the ISC (International Spirits Challenge). The Suntory Distillery in Yamazaki near KyotoJapanese Whisky Museum at the Yamazaki Distillery. Contact us to plan or begin brainstorming your trip to Japan. And if youre interested in some of Japans other most notable beverages, make sure to see our guides to drinking sake and shochu in Japan. Hakushu Single Malt Japanese Whisky, 43% Alc./Vol. Despite only arriving on the whisky playing field comparatively recently, Japan has some of the very greatest malts in the world. However there are currently ten distilleries working in the country. ABV: 51.4%. Today, Akuto is well-known across Japans whisky landscape, since the Chichibu Distillery, while still relatively small, has a reputation for experimentation that has earned fans across the world. Japan is home to some of the most diverse accommodation options in the world, blending centuries-old architecture with modern luxury. Here is a list of the best Japanese whiskey under 100 for you to try out! The whisky selection will be different each day, depending on availability. The brewing establish a base for whiskey and brandy production. The Japanese whisky industry was born at the Yamazaki Distillery, so it's only appropriate for it to be the first step on any Japanese whisky tour. In nearly a century, Japanese production has continue to improve and Japanese whisky is today recognized as one of the best whiskies in the world. Also, there are exhibits on the processes involved in distilling whisky including the tasting and blending. The specialist in Japanese Whisky. In Japanese, nabe (pronounced "nah-beh") simply means pot. The history of Shinshu is closely linked to that of Hombo Shuzo, a company founded in 1872 in Kagoshima and originally producing shochu, but which over the years diversified until it obtained a license to distil whisky in 1949. The tour heads first into the mashing and fermentation building where huge vats of wood or stainless steel hold the fermenting liquid. This set of five 3cl samples demonstrates how utterly astonishing some of these whiskies are. When not bound to her keyboard, she moonlights as a Niffler for novels and can be found en route to bankruptcy at your nearest bookstore. Pine nuts lead into a long finish that's smooth yet complex. Often covered in snowfall during winter, or surrounded by floral colors in spring, tours of Yoichi showcase production facilities that, in many cases, have been unchanged since its founding in 1934 and are still used today. In general, Japanese single malts are more likely to be made in Japan. Nikka claims domestic sales of its whiskey went up 50% due to the TV show. One place you can be sure of getting a taste of some Japanese whisky, though, is the Whisky Museum at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. There is a broad spectrum of Japanese whiskies on the market. Within Japan the TV drama Massan which aired in 2014-15 and was a fictional account of the story of whisky in Japan. He loves them all. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates. The Yoichi Distillery is owned by the famous Nikka company, and was founded by another godfather of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, who also helped to establish the Yamazaki Distillery. The Yamazaki distillery tour is well-known. Be aware that this popular distillery can be fully booked, so reservations are highly recommended. Tours have audio guides in English, Chinese, and French, and include tastings. Founded in 1923, this is Japan's first commercial distillery and, along with several breweries, was built in Yamazaki to take advantage of the quality of the local water. All in all, it's an excellent starting point for those wishing to explore the category of Japanese whisky. The lesser-known Mars Shinshu distillery is Japan's highest altitude distillery, located in the Southern Alps. It was founded by Shinjiro Torii, and the company later was named Suntory. Here is an A-Z glossary of Japanese food words and phrases. Nabe ryori (pot cooking) has become a generic term for meals cooked in a pot - vegetables, meat and noodles or rice cooked at the table in. Best Japanese Whiskey under 100: Quick Summary. 20%. The warehouse where casks of Suntory Whisky sit and age before being blended, The tasting hall where tour members learn about the work of tasters and blenders who create Suntory whiskys, Yamazaki Whisky Museum www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/facility5 Chome-2-1, Yamazaki Shimamoto-choMishima-gunOsaka 618-0001Tel: 075 962 1423. 2. Highlights. This tour can be adjusted and modified to suit your traveling preferences. For a purview into Japans smaller distilleries, pay a visit to Chichibu. After the famous Hanyu Distillery closed in 2000, Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the original owner, bought the remaining casks and continued his familys legacy by establishing the Chichibu Distillery in 2007. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Average Price. The tours are in Japanese, but when there are foreign guests some English is spoken, however a free audio guide in English is available and it gives a clear, detailed description of everything you see on the tour. English language tours are only available by audio devices provided at the distillery. Next you pass through the distillery with huge copper stills and an oppressive heat and theoverpowering smell of whiskey. Furthermore, it seems that demand is starting to exceed supply. Today, Nikka operates out of a second distillery as well. Japanese Whisky & Sushi Tasting Event. Mount Fuji overlooks this Kirin-run distillery in Shizuoka, so if you wanted to take a day trip to see Fuji-san, this is a worthy pitstop to refuel. The Mars Shinshu distillery is Japan's highest altitude distillery. Tours during winter may be canceled due to heavy snow. Tours are in Japanese, but the experience is worth it regardless. ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2022 "The Matsui Sakura Cask" received 97 points, the highest score under the Japanese Whisky category. The debut performance of an unreleased single, possibly off his debut album, possibly! Explore the heart and soul of Japan through curated experiences and gain deeper insight into Japanese culture. Guided tours are available in Japanese only and requires a . Learn More Specialty Tours Our specialty tours are small escorted group tours that include the same travel style as our popular escorted tour packages. Japanese whisky is much older than people often realise, with the first malt distillery producing spirit in 1923. Whisky fans from across the world have taken note, and distillery visits offer whisky enthusiasts a way to simultaneously experience Japan while indulging in its proud whisky tradition. Please fill in the details below. Stay up to date with all our Nikka news, review, and more right here. Like its sister blend, Suntory Hibiki, Toki is a Japanese malt and grain whisky. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Yamazaki Distillery tour offers the full Yamazaki single malt whisky experience. It has a strong aroma of oak and a punchy finish that calms down after a bit of time breathing in the glass. For myself, not a whisky drinker, this was the least interesting part of the tour, but I was most certainly in the minority. Basic information Yamazaki. Suite 14 137-139 High Street Beckenham, BR3 1AG London, United Kingdom. The Whisky produced by this distillery has grown in prominence since its founding in 1934 and recent years has seen it take it's place at the very head of the table in terms of reputation. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. In 1923, Shinjiro Torii opened Japan's first distillery in Yamazaki. Several Japanese whisky producers have started to take some brands off the market as production has not kept pace with demand. Hole-in-the-wall bars all over the country pride themselves on their whisky lineup and are a great place to build your taste profile. Find Limited design bottles for Duty-Free Shops. These simple, refreshing drinks are a must for the hot Japanese summers. "Stay Home & Drink Together" Secret of Japanese Whiskey Online Tour; Guide Interview in Japan Watch on Cancellation policy 7 days or more Full refund 3~6 days 20% 2~2 days 50% 0~1 days Non-refundable Kenji was such a fantastic host! But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. The site is so large that it incorporates its own bottling plant and cooperage. Type of accommodation *----Holidays rentals private homesMid-range 3-4 starsLuxury 4 stars or moreA mix of everythingAccommodation not required, Travel plan and purpose *----AdventureNatureCultureRomanceFamily & FriendsLuxury, Tell us about your ideal trip (The more you tell us, the better we can assist!) LP12429. Shirakawa Distillery was one of the pioneers of Japanese malt whisky production, but the whisky was never bottled as a Single Malt. *, Sanjo-dori Takakura-Higashiiru But it is only from 1960 that the production of malt whisky, entrusted to Kiichiro Iwai, starts in Yamanashi in the . Located in Nagano Prefecture, between the southern and central alpine ranges, the Hombo Shuzo distillery is at 798 meters above sea level the highest in Japan. Pricing may vary according to the services chosen, the category of accommodation and seasonality (Cherry blossoms, Golden Week, Koyo ). The home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery. The colder alpine climate is ideal for distillation. Put on your headphones and click the play button to begin your 13-minute tour. Parked at the base of Mount Tennozan in between Osaka and Kyoto, this storied destination offers visitors more than just a tour of its premises when they arrive. Available from our online shop are limited edition and rare bottling's from this distillery as well as the favourites. The Suntory Distillery in Yamazaki near Kyoto Japanese Whisky Museum at the Yamazaki Distillery The home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery. As the popularity of its whisky grows, an increasing number of beverage-loving travelers are designing trips around visits to the various Japanese whisky distilleries located throughout the country. The website might use cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. The museum has two floors of exhibition space as well as a shop and a tasting counter. Huge wooden tanks called "washbacks" where the initial fermentation of making whisky takes place, A variety of different stills in the distillery section of the Yamazaki Whisky Distillery. The History of Japanese Whisky. It is a little cooler here but the aroma is again strong. 43%. Sign up for our newsletters to have the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox every week. Fake Japanese Whisky On the chilly northern island of Hokkaido, the Yoichi Distillery stands west of the city of Sapporo. It's located on Honshu between the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, at the foot of Mount Tennozan. Taste the Japanese Whisky born in vast nature. Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour: the home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery. Framed by scenic forests and valleys of the Japanese Alps, the Hakushu Distillery looks like a fixture implanted from a fairytale. Hibiki Suntory Whisky Japanese Harmony. The Suntory Yamazaki distillery is where all the magic began some 90 years ago. Remarkably, the very first Japanese distillery was opened in Osaka. After Masataka Taketsuru left Suntory he decided to open his own distillery modeled after the distilleries of Scotland. Japan is home to a handful of distilleries scattered around its various islands. Please note: On the odd occasion, we do need to make changes to Tasting Sets, so contents of the set are subject to change. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a light well-crafted Japanese whisky that's both accessible and authentic. We will visit 2 ~ 3 liquor shops and a bar to enjoy sampling/buying/drinking Japanese Whisky with whisky guide in English. 70 Masuyacho, Nakagyo-ku 2 component whiskys and a 2 single malt whiskys to be enjoyed at the end of the tour. $41.34 (35.95) You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Please note that most tours are not conducted in English. Otokoyama where three rivers meet. 25 talking about this. Kyoto Fushimi Hidden Route Hiking & Japanese Soba Noodle Lunch; Cycle Around Kyoto Hidden Gems & Gion NightWalk; Kyoto Gion Night Walk & Japanese whiskey bar; Japanese whiskey tasting; relaxed and educational in the heart of Kyoto Geisha district; Private bar . As of May 2022, you can purchase Yamazaki 12 Year from the Whisky Exchange starting at $166.69. 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Between the cities of Osaka most distilleries offer tours and the company later was named.... As the favourites chosen, the Japanese Alps, the `` whisky Library is! Cookies and privacy settings in detail on our websites and the services chosen the... To the museum is free and the services we are able to show or cookies..., Uisuki has been increasingly under threat was later renamed Nikka different external services like Google Webfonts Google!