Member-only story
“I want to create a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of Japan and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.”
- Shinjiro Torii @ Yamazaki, 1923
Uisge-beatha Na h-Alba// ウィスキー// Whisk(e)y
Assuming one begins their journey at Kyoto Station, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a 15–20 minute ride on the local JR train line and another 10 minute walk from Yamazaki Station along a picturesque path at the base of Mount Tennōzan. The distillery itself sits where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu Rivers meet, tucked within the mountainside; providing the whisky maker and drinker with a pure base for the spirit and an impeccable vantage point to witness the surrounding region.
The brick laden shrine to this new generation of whisky hides amidst endless trees between the Kyoto and Osaka prefectures, with mineral water so pristine it has attracted generations of craftsmen and entrepreneurs. Close to 100 years ago, Yamazaki beat out several competing regions as Shinjiro Torii’s chosen location for his revolutionary endeavor: craft the first domestic whisky utilizing the abundance of Japan’s natural resources.
A century later, the Yamazaki 12 yr became the first Japanese whisky to win gold at the ISC (International Spirits Challenge) in 2003 — much to the personal chagrin of Scotch lovers globally. But it’s undeniable that Torii succeeded by celebrating the spirit that inspired him, and reinventing the beloved tradition utilizing Japanese craft and superhuman discipline perfected for the Japanese palette.
The Whisky Library
As a bibliophile and Scotch-lover, the conclusion of Yamazaki distillery’s history lesson was almost too stunning to comprehend. After learning of our hero’s inspirations and disciplines, the many iterations of advertising and innovation, and consequences of politics and war on our beloved spirit; one enters an amber hue-d shrine to the over 500 year saga of whisky.
