Tokyo News Agency, publisher of “TV Guide” magazine, will release “Japanese Craft Whiskey Reading Book” on April 2 (Tue.).
Japanese whiskey is highly regarded as one of the world’s five major whiskey producing regions (Scotch, Irish, American, Canadian, and Japanese). Recently, a number of high-quality small distilleries have been established one after another, attracting the attention of whiskey fans and investors around the world.
This book introduces Japanese craft whiskeys made with great care at small distilleries such as Venture Whiskey, which produces “Ichiro’s Malt” and not by major breweries, along with their distilleries.
This is a must-have book for beginners and enthusiasts alike, bringing together in one volume the unique appeal of Japanese craft whiskey from a variety of perspectives, in which the characteristics of the Japanese climate and the production process are more clearly expressed.
Reference: PR TIMES, Tokyo News Press, Inc.
Product Information
Release date: April 2, 2024 (Tuesday) *Some areas may have a different release date.
List price: 1,980 yen
Specifications: A5 size, soft cover, 128 pages
Publisher: Tokyo News Tsushinsha
Publisher: Kodansha
Available for pre-order at bookstores nationwide and online.
Major craft whiskey distilleries and representative brands featured in the book
All links are to articles on our website.
| Distillery Location | Distillery name | Main Brands |
| Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture | Chichibu Distillery | Ichiro’s Malt |
| Kamiina, Nagano | Mars Shinshu Distillery | Komagatake |
| Tonami, Toyama | Saburomaru distillery | Saburomaru |
| Akashi, Hyogo | Eigashima distillery | Eigashima |
| Miyazaki Prefecture Kodu | Ozuzuyama Distillery | OSUZU |
| Jomi, Yamagata | Yusa distillery | YUZA |
| Shizuoka, Shizuoka | SHIZUOKA Distillery | Shizuoka |
| Hioki, Kagoshima | Kanosuke Distillery | KANOSUKE |
| Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima | Sakurao Distillery | SAKURAO |
| Koriyama, Fukushima | Azumi Distillery | YAMAZAKURA |
| Nagahama, Shiga | Nagahama Distillery | AMAHAGAN |
| Minami-Satsuma, Kagoshima | Tsunuki distillery | Tsunuki |
| Atsugishi, Hokkaido | Atsugishi Distillery | Atsugishi |
etc.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
