The history of Japanese whisky
Some may be surprised to learn that Japanese whisky production started as early as 1870. Back then, the pharmaceutical wholesaler Shinjiro Torii imported spirits from the West to Japan. After he had become successful creating a brand of port wine, he set out to invent a Japanese whisky for the Japanese people. He built the first distillery in Yamazaki, a suburb of Kyoto, which was famous for its excellent water quality.
To execute his plan, Torii hired the chemist Mastaka Taketsuru who had studied the art of whisky distillation from the best master distillers in Scotland in the years prior. Torii’s enterprise first carried the name Kotobukiya and was later renamed Suntory. Taketsuru left the company in 1934 to create his own brand with the name Dainipponkaju –known today as Nikka.
For a long time, Japanese whisky didn’t manage to cross the borders of the country. One reason for this was that Japanese distillers were still gaining experience when it came to distilling; the other reason was Western prejudice. The idea that a Japanese whisky in a Scotch style could exceed a Scottish whisky in quality, structure or aroma seemed absurd.
Fortunately, the international perception changed abruptly when Nikka won the title of “Best of the Best“ at the Whisky Magazine’s Awards with its 10 year old Yoichi single malt in 2001.
How does Japanese whisky taste?
Due to its history, Japanese whisky is produced after the Scotch model. Even the decision to build Yoichi on Hokkaido was made due to the fact that the terrain was similar to the Scottish landscape.
Compared to many international whiskies, one important difference exists when it comes to the production of blended whiskies. In contrast to international practices, Japanese blended whiskies never come from multiple producers. Instead, each company owns multiple distilleries where each compound is produced.
What Japanese whisky brands should you know?
Suntory
Suntory released the first Japanese single malt whisky. For a few years, the brand has been winning international top prizes – especially with its Yamazaki whiskies. In 2014, the company acquired Beam, Inc. and therefore brands like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Canadian Club, Laphroaig and the Japanese brands Hibiki and Hakushu.
Nikka
After Nikka won the title “Best of the Best” at the Whisky Magazine’s Awards, the brand has gained international popularity. In many competitions, Nikka has been able to assert itself against traditional Scotch whiskies. Today, the company produces in eight different distilleries.
Togouchi
Togouchi is a whisky brand produced by the Japanese distillery Chugoku Jozo. The company is known for importing distilled whiskies from Scotland – only the maturation and the blending of the whiskies is done in Japan. That’s how Togouchi gives a special Japanese touch to traditional Scotch whiskies.
Japanese whisky at Gustero
We at Gustero want to offer you a large assortment of high-quality whiskies. That’s why we also offer premium whisky from Japan, besides hundreds of Scottish, Irish and American whisky brands. Discover pure malts from Nikka, single malts from Suntory or delicious blended malts from Togouchi!
