7. 四国の蒸留所(英語原本)| Japanese Whisky Dictionary
7. Shikoku region
7-1. Nisshin Shuzo Awano-Distillery
Image source: Nissin Sake Brewery Company
Established on December 30, 1948 as a comprehensive manufacturer of alcoholic beverages under the motto “Every day is a new day” while maintaining the traditional skills of a sake brewery that has been in existence since the end of the Edo period.
The company offers products using local specialties, such as “AWA GIN” made from Tokushima Prefecture-grown Yamadanishiki grade rice, “Sudachi Shochu” liqueur, and “Naruto Kintoki Satomusume” authentic shochu.
Their sake “Hisago Taikou” has won the gold medal 19 times in the National New Sake Competition, and “AWA GIN” was awarded the IWSC Silver medal.
The Awano distillery, established on March 28, 2023, will be the first whiskey distillery in Shikoku, and is expected to start sales from April 2026.
| Location |
176, Gun, Tsuchinari-cho, Awa City, Tokushima Prefecture, 771-1505, Japan |
| Access | 35 minutes drive from Tokushima Station |
| Start of operation | March 28, 2023 |
| Official HP |
Nisshin Sake Brewery |
| Tour | Undecided |
| Products | AWA GIN Hyoutaiko Sudachi Shochu Naruto Kintoki Satomusume |
Representative products of Awano-Distillery 
7-2. Ume Bijin Shuzo Co. Distillery name unknown
Established in 1916 in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, the company produces a wide range of sake, liqueurs, shochu, and gin.
The company obtained a license to produce whiskey in 2023. There are very few posts about whiskey on their website and Instagram.
Well water drawn from a water vein 30 meters underground is used to brew sake. It is assumed that the same is used for the whiskey. It is currently unknown what type of distiller is used.
| Location |
1557-2 Yawatahama, Ehime 796-0051 |
| Access | 5 minutes drive from Yawatahama IC |
| Start of operation | 1916 Whiskey production license will be acquired in 2023 |
| Official HP | |
| Visiting | Unknown |
| Products |
Japanese Sake “Ume Bijin” and “Takao”, Craft Gin “Caviar Lime” and “Citrus Bee |
Representative products of Ume-Bijin Sake Brewery 