Special seminar introducing thecharms and features of the Single Malt Yamazaki Story of the Distillery 2024 EDITION, thecraftsmanship of the Yamazaki Distillery, the stories it has spun and thethoughts of its makers. Saturday, November 9, 2024.
The Yamazaki Distillery underwent major renovations in November 2023 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of whisky production in 1923. The distillery tour was changed from the previous first-come-first-served basis to a lottery system, and an upgraded tour called ‘Yamazaki Distillery Manufacturing Tour Prestige’ was added. Whisky lovers who have been waiting for the renewal are very excited, and the lottery is still being fought fiercely.
The Yamazaki Distillery has released information on a special seminar on the “Single Malt Yamazaki Story of the Distillery 2024 EDITION”, which was released this year on a limited basis. This is a special programme for Yamazaki Club members only, with a limited number of 50 people selected by lottery.
1. Application requirements
| Application period | Wednesday, 18 September – 23:59, Monday, 30 September 2024 |
| Announcement of winners | Scheduled for mid to late October 2024 *Only winners will be contacted. |
| Participation fee | Free *Transportation and accommodation costs to the venue are not included. |
For Yamazaki Club members only (non-members can register as free members at the same time as applying).
Click here to apply.
2. ‘Yamazaki Story of the Distillery’ Special Seminar Details
| Date and time | Saturday, 9 November 2024, 13:00-16:00 (Registration starts at 12:30) |
| Venue. | Suntory Yamazaki Distillery 5-2-1, Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0001, Japan 10 min walk from JR Yamazaki Station or Hankyu Oyamazaki Station. |
＜Programme for the day＞
・Yamazaki Distillery’s commitment to whisky production
・Observation of the manufacturing process
・TastingOn the day of the special seminar, a special programme is planned with the producers of the Yamazaki Distillery.
3. About the Yamazaki Distillery
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
| Location. | 5-2-1, Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0001, Japan |
| Start of operation | 1923 |
The Yamazaki Distillery was established in 1923 as the first malt whisky distillery in Japan. It was a time when whisky was still a rare drink for the general public. “The distillery was established in 1923, when whisky was still a rarity among the general public.” With this passion, Shinjiro Torii set out to make whisky.
Shinjiro insisted on the Japanese climate. Water and the environment were particularly important. Yamazaki is a village of famous water called Minaseno, which was written about in the Manyo poetry.
The water here, loved by tea master Sen no Rikyu, was ideal for whisky production. The natural environment was also perfect.
Yamazaki, south-west of Kyoto, at the foot of Mount Tennozan, with its thick bamboo forests, is a place rich in nature, where you can feel the seasonal changes. Located at the confluence of the Katsura, Uji and Kizu Rivers, and surrounded by mountains, the area is prone to thick fog and has a mild and humid climate, which are ideal conditions for the maturation of whisky.
Shinjiro decided that Yamazaki, with its water and climate, was the only place to make good whisky, and he chose this place as the home of his whisky.
Reference: YAMAZAKI MOMENTS
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
1923 Yamazaki distillery built. First whisky distillery in Japan.
1929 First domestic whisky ‘Shirofuda’ released.
1937 “Kaku-bottle” launched.
1984 Single malt whisky Yamazaki is launched.
1992 Single malt whisky Yamazaki 18years is launched.
1998 Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 25 Year Old is released.
Image courtesy of Yamazaki Club.
See also this article for more information on the Yamazaki Distillery.
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.
