Why Japanese whiskey is so good
Whiskey production is a relatively new craft in Japan, but the country’s distillers have wasted no time in making their mark on the industry.
Today heralded as world-class, Japanese whiskeys have won countless accolades and praise – not bad going for a country with only a handful of distilleries.
In this extract from Be More Japan, our fascinating journey through the sights, sounds, quirks and wisdom of Japan, we look at the origins of Japanese whiskey, how the Japanese drink it and what makes it so good.
Scottish origins
In 1854, armed American ships opened up Japan after more than two centuries of self-imposed isolation. The Americans brought gifts with them, including casks of whiskey.
However, it wasn’t until 1920 when chemist Masataka Taketsuru returned from studying whiskey-making in Scotland, that the brown spirit’s distilling secrets arrived in Japan. In 1923, Taketsuru helped set up the Yamazaki Distillery before later establishing his own, the Yoichi Distillery. The companies behind each one - Suntory and Nikka respectively - still dominate the Japanese whiskey industry today.
A local twist on Scotch methods
Japan’s distilleries typically adhere to Scotch methods, but the country’s distinct seasons have a significant impact on the maturation process - the cold winters slow the ageing of the spirit, while the humid summers speed it up.
A variety of casks are used in the ageing process, but the country’s indigenous lumber, most famously mizunara (Japanese oak), ages unique whiskey that’s subtle, yet strong. Unlike their Scottish counterparts, Suntory and Nikka distil a mind-boggling array of whiskies in-house, giving them great control over their products and enabling them to experiment with different whiskey-making techniques.
Japanese whiskey highballs
Japanese whiskies can either be drunk straight or on the rocks, but the most popular way to enjoy them in Japan is a whiskey highball. Three parts carbonated water and one part whiskey (cheap blends work well), highballs helped to power the spirit’s national ascent in the decades after World War II. Adding soda knocked down the high alcohol percentage, creating a refreshing beverage the country loved.
After whiskey fell out of favour in the early 1980s, being overshadowed by clear spirits like shochu (sweet potato, barley or rice liquor), it was highballs that brought Japanese whiskey roaring back in the 2000s.
The highball won’t overpower your food, making it ideal for pairing - soul foods, like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) are particularly good companies, as is yakiniku (grilled meat).
Three Japanese distilleries to visit
Yoichi Distillery (Yoichi, Hokkaido Prefecture)
Perhaps the most beautiful distillery in Japan, Yoichi is the only whiskey distillery in the world to have coal-fired pot stills.
Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery (Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture)
Kirin’s whiskey distillery sits at the food of Mount Fuji, which provides the water for its whiskey.
Yamazaki Distillery (Shimamoto-cho, Osaka Prefecture)
Founded in 1923, the Yamazaki Distillery is the oldest in Japan.
Be More Japan
Whether you're dreaming about your first journey, revisiting the trip of a lifetime or simply in love with all things Japan, Be More Japan will transport you to this fascinating country.
Dive into the thrilling and serene world of Shinto monks, street food vendors, anime characters, Okinawan centenarians, technological innovators, J-Pop megastars, ancient philosophers, onsen dwellers and so many more.
There are so many ways to fall in love with Japan. It's home to one of the world's most unique cultures: a perfectly balanced celebration of past traditions; the vibrancy of now and the need to look fearlessly into the future.
From architecture to martial arts; from ramen to robots; kawaii to Kusama; ikigai to ikebana; towering skyscrapers to shrines - Be More Japan uncovers the art and creativity behind modern Japanese living through its kaleidoscope of contrasting places, people and practices.
With beautiful design throughout and with each page alive with facts, history and inspiration, Be More Japan invites you to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life.
Find out more about Be More Japan here
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