A Brief History
When you think of a good whisky, most people think of Scotch whisky – perhaps Glenfiddich or Laphroaig springs to mind. Did you know however, that Japan also offers an astonishing range of single malts and blended whiskies, and that Japanese whisky has been accredited by many as some of the finest in the world? Whisky has been produced in Japan since the mid-1800s, originally as a side product by distilleries specialising in shochu (a Japanese spirit produced using potatoes or rice) and sake (a Japanese rice wine).
For the Japanese whisky empire, we have two great men to thank – Shinjiro Torii, who established the iconic Suntory beverage brand in 1899, and the ‘Father of Japanese Whisky’ named Masataka Taketsuru.
Taketsuru was a chemist, who studied organic chemistry at the University of Glasgow in the early 1900s. During his time in the country, he studied as an apprentice at different whisky distilleries. Armed with the knowledge he had acquired in Scotland, he returned to Japan and began working at Suntory for Shinjiro Torii, the legend who went on to establish the first commercial whisky distillery, the Yamazaki Distillery on the outskirts of Osaka, in 1923. To date this is still the most famous distillery in Japan. Taketsuru was not far behind though, and he ventured out in 1934 to establish his own distillery – the Yoichi Distillery – in Hokkaido. Since then, the Yoichi brand has been re-named to Nikka – perhaps the second most revered Japanese whisky brand. Together, these two brands have been awarded countless recognitions and are known across the globe for their fine whiskies.
Nowadays, there are thousands of Japanese whiskies out there – from those you can buy in liquor stores and online across the globe to special editions that will set you back thousands.
If you wish to buy any whisky during your time in Japan, the most convenient place is Liquor Mountain; there are 180 locations nationwide, and they stock plenty of popular Japanese whiskies. The Ginza 777 Liquor Mountain Store in Tokyo has an especially wide selection, including those harder to find. Please remember that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and also remember to check your national import laws regarding alcohol.
Acquaint Yourself with Japanese Whisky on a Shiki Trip to Japan:
A Luxury Private Whisky Tour, Tokyo:
On this luxury private tour, you will begin with a drink at a high up city-view bar. Next, head to try some local food nearby before stopping at a sophisticated izakaya (Japanese pub) for various food and drink samples. Then, head to a micro-distillery for a whisky tasting before making your final stop at a hidden whisky bar where you can taste even more! Your guide will be very knowledgeable about the different whiskies on offer and will be able to guide you through your tasting and help you select different whiskies to try.
Distillery Tour
If you are interested in a tour of one of the Japanese distilleries, we are also able to arrange this for you as part of your trip. From the famous Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka, to the Nikka Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, to the deep-forest Hakushu Distillery in mountainous Yamanashi – there is plenty to explore on your journey to learn about fascinating world and rich history of Japanese whisky.