Japanese Whisky

The birth and growth of Japanese whisky

Whisky making in Japan goes way back to the 1920s when the first malt distillery in the country produced the spirit. It all started when a man called Masataka Taketsuru was sent to Scotland, where he spent time at the University of Glasgow and apprenticed in a number of distilleries to learn how to make whisky. Eventually returning to Japan with a Scottish wife, he partnered with the second-most famous name in the countries’ whisky production, Shinjiro Torii. Over the next decade, the men each built their own distillery in two separate regions of Japan and nearly 100 years later, their creations still dominate the world of Japanese whisky.

The growth of whisky in Japan was much faster than what had been previously seen in Scotland. And, while the two original whisky masters of Japan were barely challenged for many years, after a while the country started seeing a boom in new makers. Japanese whisky is now known for bending the rules and pushing the boundaries of what whisky can be, resulting in unique and exciting tastes that any fan is duty-bound to experience.

Available to Buy Online

We are delighted to be able to offer a small and carefully selected choice of Japanese whiskies from both large and smaller makers. There’s something for all budgets and occasions – from the 12-year-old Yamazaki Suntory Pure Malt to the lighter Akashi Blended Whisky – and you can either start or continue your journey into Japanese whisky. Take your time sampling these excellent drinks. We prefer them either on neat or with a little bit of ice so you can really take in the carefully crafted flavours.

Treat yourself or someone special with a quality bottle from our online shop.