Limited to 1,200 attendees! This incredibly popular event—which always sells out—is coming to Matsumoto!
Whisky Culture Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo;President: Mamoru Tsuchiya) has announced that it will hold the Whisky tasting event “Whisky Festival 2027 in Matsumoto” on Monday, January 11, 2027 (a national holiday) at Hotel Buena Vista (Matsumoto City).This will be the first time the “Whisky Festival” is held in Matsumoto, and the event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition to tasting seminars, the event will feature talk shows with special guests.
This event is open not only to bartenders and liquor industry professionals but also to whisky enthusiasts from the general public.
1. Whisky Festival 2027 in Matsumoto
Held for the first time in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture! The “Whisky Festival 2027 in Matsumoto,” a Whisky tasting event, will take place on Monday, January 11 (a national holiday) at Hotel Buena Vista (Matsumoto City)!
The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. At each booth within the venue, attendees can sample Whisky, gin, and other spirits, as well as purchase bottles and merchandise. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to interact directly with producers, which is one of the event’s major attractions.
During the event, talk shows featuring special guests will be held on the main stage, and tasting seminars led by an impressive lineup of instructors will take place in the seminar rooms.
This event is limited to 1,200 attendees and is open not only to bartenders and liquor industry professionals but also to the general public of enthusiasts.
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in early October, and we will announce the latest information on our official website and social media channels.
2. Event Overview
Date and Time: January 11, 2027 (Monday, a national holiday), 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Hotel Buena Vista
1-2-1 Honjo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture 390-0814
Admission Fee: 5,000 yen (tax included)
Capacity: Limited to 1,200 attendees
Details regarding the tasting seminar and special talk show are currently undisclosed.
3. Participating Companies
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. / Indori / Whisky&Co. Distillery Water Dragon / Whisky Shop & Tasting Bar Inver /Cask & Forest Co., Ltd. / Kanosuke Distillery / Kamui Whisky Co., Ltd. / Sakatsu Corporation / Suntory Limited / Single Cask Japan x Asaya Shoten / Shinzato Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Suzaki Distillery) / Shindo Distillery /Takakura Distillery / Chiyomusubi Shuzo Co., Ltd. / Tokyo Craft Liqueur · Chichibu Reiwa Shokai /Tomii Distillery / Nagahama Distillery / Niigata Kameda Distillery / Nozawa Onsen Distillery Co., Ltd. / BIRDY. / Hinogami Distillery / THE FACTORY SPIRITS /Venture Whisky Co., Ltd. / Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. Mars Whisky / Million Shoji Co., Ltd. / Yamato Trading Co., Ltd. / Yokohama Smoked Foods Co., Ltd. / Yoshida Denzai Distillery / Ryukyu Shugodensetsu
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.
