The Great Drams Guide to Japanese Distilleries

As regular readers of the blog here at Great Drams will no doubt be aware, we’re big fans of whisky distillery tours across Scotland, and the UK for that matter. Visiting these distilleries is not only a great way of getting some fresh air and seeing the great outdoors, it’s also a fantastic way to see how whisky is produced.

I won’t go into it too much because I’ve covered it in different blogs in the past, but each whisky region produces its own exclusive type of whisky that’s unique to the region in which it was produced. That’s why a whisky distillery tour in Campbeltown is an entirely different experience to one on Islay. The same can be said for other parts of the world too. Now, personally, I’m a big fan of Japanese whisky and as Japan is country that I feel everybody should visit at some point in their lives, what better time to talk about Japanese whisky?

If you do ever find yourself lucky enough to visit Japan, a tour around any of the country’s amazing whisky distilleries should be at the top of your itinerary of things to do.

To help make your trip that little bit more unforgettable, we’re going to present you with 3 Japanese whisky distilleries that are well worth a visit. So, without any further hesitation, here is the Great Drams guide to Japanese whisky distilleries.

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

We’re starting things off today with a look at arguably Japan’s most popular whisky distillery, Yamazaki.

Owned by Suntory, a name synonymous with Japanese whisky, the distillery was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, whom many refer to as the ‘Godfather of Japanese whisky’.

When people think of whisky in Japan, it is this Osaka-based distillery that immediately springs to mind. Situated in a stunning location at the foot of Mount Tennozan, it’s the oldest distillery in all of Japan.

The distillery produces a selection of award-winning drams, including their Yamazaki 12 Year Old, using water drawn from the fresh mountain streams located on Tennozan.

The distillery offers a wide range of experiences, including distillery tours and tasting experiences. There is even their own Yamazaki whisky library, which contains over 7,000 bottles of whisky! You’ll also get the opportunity to purchase a dram or two in the process.

As this is Japan’s oldest distillery, and arguably it’s most popular, it can get busy, so booking in advance is essential if you want to guarantee a spot on one of their many tours and experiences.

Yoichi Distillery

The second recommendation we have for you today takes you to picturesque Hokkaido, to the Yoichi Distillery.

You may remember a while back, how I wrote about Scotland’s own Rita Cowan, whom many refer to as the mother of Japanese whisky. Well, the founder of this particular distillery was Masataka Taketsuru, the man who married none other than Rita Cowan after meeting her in Scotland.

For that reason, and because the whisky produced here is so exceptional, this distillery holds a very special place in my heart.

After returning to Japan, following a brief spell at Suntory, Masataka started his own whisky company, which would eventually be known as Nikka. Suntory and Nikka are two of the biggest names in Japanese whisky and are responsible for around 80% of all Japanese whisky produced each year. Masataka would go on to open the Yoichi Distillery in 1934.

The distillery is situated in a stunning location, seeing amazing floral colours in Spring, Summer, and Autumn, while often being blanketed in snow in the heart of Winter. The pot stills here are coal-fired and many of the distillation processes remain largely unchanged in close to one century.

The distillery offers guided tours, free samples, a museum, and a tasting counter where, for a small fee, visitors can sample a selection of amazing drams, including their Pure Malt 17.

Fuji Gotemba Distillery

Finally, for the ultimate sightseeing experience, why not visit Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, while getting to sample some exquisite drams in the process?

Situated in the shadow of Japan’s Mount Fuji, lies the Fuji Gotemba Distillery, and what a treat it is. Not only is it placed in one of the most iconic locations in the world, but it also happens to be the largest whisky distillery on the planet, although some have disputed that claim. In any event, it’s pretty huge.

Japanese whisky draws a lot of inspiration from Scotland (note the lack of the letter ‘e’ in its spelling for starters), which is why whisky produced here is especially popular in the country. Because of its location, the climate is surprisingly similar to that of Scotland, so the whisky is similar. It even features its own on-site cooperage and bottling plant.

The distillery offers a number of different tours, tastings, and experiences, though be sure to allow plenty of time, as a full tour will take quite some time considering the size of the distillery itself. Much like many of Scotland’s distilleries, the distillery is also in close proximity to a number of golf courses – five to be exact, so don’t forget your putter!

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Japanese distilleriesThe Great Drams Guide

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.