This Is the Birthplace of Japanese Whisky-and It's Just 30 Minutes From Kyoto

"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."

"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."

Yamazaki Distillery sits at the foot of Mount Tennōzan, about 30 minutes southwest of Kyoto. Established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan and remains the production site for Yamazaki single-malt and other House of Suntory bottles. Tours require pre-booked tickets (about $20 USD) and entry into a lottery for English-language tours. The distillery occupies a site where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers converge, creating a humid climate favorable for whisky maturation. The changing seasons and local terroir contribute to unique maturation characteristics. Every example of Suntory whisky is first blended on these grounds.

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