It’s not every day you can peek behind the curtain to see where the first-ever bottle of a world-renowned spirit was created. But with a little luck and some forward planning, you can do exactly that—as I did at the birthplace of Japanese whisky: Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery.
Located at the foot of Mount Tennōzan, about 30 minutes southwest of Kyoto, Yamazaki is the oldest malt whisky distillery in all of Japan. It was established in 1923 by founder Shinjiro Torii as the first venue dedicated to crafting Japanese whisky with the obsessive attention to detail that has made the spirit beloved worldwide. More than 100 years later, it remains the home for making Yamazaki single-malt whisky and other House of Suntory bottles.
Scoring a ticket to this historic site and working distillery isn’t necessarily easy. As you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ll need to factor in your whisky drinking plans early. Yamazaki Distillery can only be toured with pre-booked tickets (for about $20 USD) and you must enter a lottery for English tours hosted once per day—but the effort is well worth it.
As I was pulling up to the distillery, I instantly felt its significance. James Bowker, the global advocacy manager of House of Suntory, confirmed why I felt that way. “Every example of Suntory Whisky was first blended at these hallowed grounds, whether by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Japanese whisky; his descendants over the past century; or our current chief blender Shinji Fukuyo,” he said as we walked toward the entrance.
In late June, the building is perched amid lush green trees that cover the mountain’s base. The Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers meet nearby, creating the ideal damp climate for whisky maturation. I imagine the area must be beautiful year-round as leaves change to vibrant warm hues before being replaced by sakuras come springtime. Those changing seasons are another factor that makes Yamazaki such a special place. “The distillery holds a unique terroir unlike traditional whisky regions, which tend to have more consistent weather patterns,” Bowker explained.
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The lush scenery of Mount Tennozan.
After entering through gates made of copper that was previously used for pot stills, the tour starts in a museum that chronicles the spirit’s history. From pioneering bottles that were created under your feet to modern-day innovations that are pushing the category forward, the museum sets the tone for all the important work you’re about to see.
From there, you’ll experience each step of the whisky-making process with a trained guide who explains Suntory’s philosophy of tsukuriwake, a Japanese word that means “artisanship through diversity.” Rather than following a single process like many other distilleries, Yamazaki creates a variety of styles by utilizing different production techniques. So, taking a tour here offers the rare opportunity to see countless shapes of pot stills and cask types all under one roof.
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Find your favorites in the distilleries sleek tasting room.
After passing through the steamy sites of mashing, fermentation, and distillation, you’ll explore the area where casks are stored. Yamazaki is known for using a variety of wood types, including the rare and fragrant Japanese mizunara oak—the most highly sought-after cask variety in the world. The brand just showcased the wood with its release of Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara, the oldest whisky on the market. It’s 100 percent aged in Japanese mizunara and available to taste on site.
While not part of the tour, the Yamazaki Distillery is also the home of House of Suntory’s pilot distillery, where research and development for the company is carried out. It creates a buzzy energy in the distillery that’s juxtaposed with tranquil surroundings like a sacred Shinto shrine, bamboo forests, and trickling streams.
Rather than a gift shop with souvenirs and expensive bottles to add to your collection, the tour culminates in a sleek tasting room. You’ll find component whisky that highlights the flavor each barrel imparts alongside bottles you can only find in Japan, like the Yamazaki Story of the Distillery, released to celebrate the centennial anniversary. The collection includes some of the rarest Japanese whiskies available to consume. Each pour allows you to fully appreciate the craftsmanship witnessed firsthand—and there’s no better way to toast the end of your visit.
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