In typically Japanese style, the industry titans behind this iconic spirit have developed world-famous craftsmanship by blending old-world tradition, and exciting innovation. But where did it all begin? And where is it all headed? Read on to find out more.

Let Us Take You Back a Century Ago...

It's the early 1900s, and budding young whisky lover Masataka Taketsuru has diverged from the family sake brewing business to begin work at Settsu Shuzu, one of the few Japanese spirit companies at the time who were investing in Western whisky immitation products. Having just avoided a year's military service, Taketsuru was sent by Settsu Shuzu President, Kihee Abe, who was impressed with the young man's tenacity, to study the art of Scottish whisky distillation and production.

The moment Taketsuru sailed from Japanese shores on July 3rd 1918, with the higher-ups of Settsu Shuzu there to see him off, has been described by some as the official beginning of the Japanese Whisky industry.

Upon his triumphant return to Japan some years later, Taketsuru was hired by Shinjiro Torii, founder of the Suntory company, to create a distinctly Japanese whisky that would appeal to local tastes.

The blend of Japanese ingredients, such as pure mountain water and unique ageing conditions, quickly set Japanese whisky apart from its Scottish counterparts.

After disagreements with Torii, Taketsuru later went on to establish his own distillery, Nikka, in Hokkaido. His contribution to the early success of Japanese whisky cannot be overstated, and today, brands like Yamazaki, Hibiki, Suntory and Nikka are household names.

The Saga Continues. . .

Japanese whisky was relatively unknown internationally until the 2000s. However, with the rise of high-end spirits and a growing global interest in premium products, Japanese whisky began to catch the attention of whisky connoisseurs worldwide.

This was further boosted in 2001 when Suntory's Hibiki 17 Year Old won the title of Best Blended Whisky at the prestigious International Spirits Challenge. Other accolades soon followed, cementing Japan’s reputation as a whisky powerhouse.

By the 2010s, Japanese whisky brands began to win numerous global awards, including those from Whisky Advocate and Whisky Magazine, making them sought-after products for collectors. A unique characteristic of Japanese whisky is the emphasis on craftsmanship and detail.

The use of Japanese oak, such as Mizunara casks, imparts distinctive flavours, making these whiskies stand out from their competitors.

What’s Next for Japanese Whisky?

The future of Japanese whisky looks incredibly bright as distillers continue to innovate. As demand for high-quality spirits grows, consumers can expect more unique finishes, such as red wine, sherry, and even local sake casks, to become more common. Alongside innovations in flavour, sustainability practices will continue to evolve, changing the whisky landscape for the better and creating more fantastic, and guilt-free, products for all to enjoy.

Key Japanese Whisky Brands in 2025

Brands like Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Nikka still dominate the market, while newer distilleries like Chichibu are creating a buzz for their innovative approaches and exceptional products. At Loch Fyne Whiskies, you can find bottlings from all these brands and more!

Shop Japanese Whisky now!