Things to do in Osaka : Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
The man who created Japanese whiskey
Suntory’s founder, Shinjiro Torii, had a passion for “creating Japanese whiskey that would suit the delicate tastes of Japanese people,” and decided to create whisky. This determination led him to take on the difficult task of producing authentic domestic whisky, something no one else had attempted at the time. The history of Suntory Whiskey and Japanese Whiskey begins with the bold challenge of this man who overcame the opposition of those around him and set out to make whisky.
However, the journey since then has not been smooth.Whiskey requires many years to mature and become a finished product.All you have to do is wait for the right time and be careful.
Even though large quantities of barley are brought into the distillery every day, Only smoke rose from the kiln (drying tower). Nothing that looks like whiskey ever comes out. The villagers saw this, “It seems that monsters called “Usuke” or “Wisuke” are kept in that building.Barley seems to be food for “Usuke”. ”, he said. At a time when no one knew that whiskey took years to age. There must have been some truth to such rumors, which cannot be laughed off at all.
Shinjiro and the distillery’s craftsmen aim to create Japan’s first authentic domestic whisky. They repeated trial and error every day. Finally, in 1929, the company released its “shiro-fuda”. However, all the effort was in vain, it was not well received by the Japanese people at the time. Although, Shinjiro did not give up. After further improvements, “Kakubi” was released in 1937. This became very popular, after that, “Old” and “Royal” were released one after another. This led to the blossoming of whiskey culture in Japan.
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A Whiskey-making utopia
Yamazaki, southwest of Kyoto, at the foot of Mt. Tenno. Shinjiro was particular about the importance of “high-quality water” and “natural environment” in whisky-making, and chose Yamazaki from among a number of potential locations. Around the Yamazaki Distillery, known as a village of water so famous that it is even mentioned in the Manyo poem, the “Rikyu no Mizu”, which has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waters by the Ministry of the Environment, still gushes out to this day. At Yamazaki Distillery, we use clean, high-quality groundwater that has been cultivated over many years as brewing water.
Surrounded by rich nature, the unique topography where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizugawa rivers converge has high humidity, making it the ideal humid environment for aging whisky. Yamazaki is truly a whiskey-making utopia.
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Diverse whiskey making
The special feature of whiskey production at Yamazaki Distillery is that it produces a wide variety of whiskeys that are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. For example, we use wooden barrel fermenters and stainless steel fermenters in the fermentation process, different sizes and shapes of distillation pots in the distillation process, and different types of barrels in the storage “aging” process. A variety of different types of unblended sake are created in all steps up to “aging”.
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Blender craftsmanship
A variety of barrel-aged whiskeys are carefully selected to suit the desired product. The blender checks the aging status of the unprocessed sake and carefully selects the combination that best suits the characteristics of the product. At times, we taste hundreds of varieties in a day, and while determining the peak of each barrel’s unblended sake, we decide which unblended sake should be used at which time. Furthermore, the blender’s job is to manage the storage of the unblended sake that will be needed in the future. Whiskey making, which takes a long time from preparation to commercialization, can be described as a “collaborative effort between blenders of the past and blenders of the future.”
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To the world and to the future
In 2003, Yamazaki 12 Years Old, a single malt whiskey produced at the Yamazaki Distillery, became the first Japanese whiskey to win a gold medal at the world’s most prestigious alcoholic beverage competition, the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2003. Since then, Suntory Whiskey has won numerous awards and is recognized as a Japanese whisky.
Over the years, many craftspeople have passed on the techniques, honed their skills, continued research, and improved and refurbished equipment to create whiskey with a wide variety of flavors. In 2013, the Yamazaki Distillery expanded its distillation kettles in order to create an even wider variety of unblended sake for the future. Suntory’s whiskey making will continue to inherit, innovate, and evolve.
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How to enjoy the distillery?
Tour Link: Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Tour
Plan1: Yamazaki whiskey museum viewing (need reservation/free)
*You cannot observe the manufacturing process.
*There will be no guidance from staff.
*Advance reservation is required.
What can we see at Yamazaki whiskey museum?
“Bottle Library”
You can experience the history of Suntory Whiskey from its founding days through numerous exhibits.Tour the exhibition area “Inheritance and Innovation, Stories of Craftsmanship”
Through a variety of exhibits, you can learn about Yamazaki Distillery’s commitment to making whiskey and the secret story behind the birth of the Yamazaki brand.
The walls lined with thousands of bottles of various spirits and whiskeys are a sight to behold. Furthermore, actual items such as pot stills and fermentation tanks that have been used at the distillery for many years are on display, allowing you to feel the spirit of whiskey making.
“Tasting Lounge”
We carry a wide selection of whiskeys, including the Yamazaki brand, limited edition products, and whiskeys unique to the distillery. By drinking and comparing various whiskies, you can feel the differences in their individuality and at the same time discover new charms of whisky.
Business hours: 10:00-16:45 (last order 16:30)
*For safety reasons, please refrain from using the facility before participating in the tour
*Please note that depending on the situation, items may be out of stock
*No soft drinks or snacks will be provided.
*As this is a food factory, for food hygiene reasons, we do not allow food or drinks to be brought into the facility.
*Drinking and driving and drinking alcohol for those under the age of 20 are prohibited by law.
*Visitors driving cars, motorcycles (including passengers), bicycles, and those under the age of 20 are not allowed to consume alcohol.
“YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY GIFT SHOP”
Gift shop is located inside the Yamazaki Whiskey Museum, carries a wide variety of products, We have a wide variety of products, including products unique to Yamazaki Distillery and international whiskeys, carefully selected glasses, and items made using Suntory whiskey aging barrels.
Why not enjoy a rich moment at home?
Distillery limited whiskeys and some domestic whiskeys may be out of stock due to unstable availability and fluid inventory.
Business hours: 10:00-16:45
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Plan2:Yamazaki Distillery Manufacturing Tour (Paid, Japanese)
*You can observe the manufacturing process.
*Guidance will be provided by staff.
*Yamazaki Whiskey Hall is also available.
*Advance reservation is required.
*Paid tasting available
*Souvenir included
*This tour is based on a lottery system.
At first, we will explain the flow of the malt whiskey manufacturing process using videos and whiskey ingredients. Visitors will be able to see the manufacturing site where Suntory Single Malt Whiskey Yamazaki is created, and experience with all five senses the aroma and temperature that can only be felt at that location. You will see the actual manufacturing process and experience the whiskey making process at Yamazaki Distillery. A must-see is the creation of various types of unblended sake at each stage! In the storage room, we will explain how we use various barrels to store (age) distilled malt spirits. Take a close look at the manufacturing process from preparation to aging. Please experience the attention to detail in the construction.
You can use the audio guide app (free) that guides you through the manufacturing process. (English translation, Spanish translation, Korean translation, Chinese translation) If you wish to use it, please install it on your smartphone before coming to the venue.
At the tasting, enjoy “Suntory Single Malt Whiskey Yamazaki”, rare “Malt Whiskey Unblended”, and “Yamazaki Highball”and more. After the tour, you can take home the “Yamazaki Original Tasting Glass” as a souvenir. After this tour you can also visit Yamazaki whisky museum and have more experience of Yamazaki whisky.
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