The Nagahama Distillery in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, will launch “Amahanyan Mizunara Cask Blend”—the third collaboration with Hikone’s local mascot, “Hikonyan”—on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
This third installment in the “Amahanyan” series, which began in 2025, features a blend of bourbon cask-aged spirit matured on Chikubu Island and Mizunara cask-aged spirit, resulting in a mysterious and rich flavor profile.
1. Amahanyan Mizunara Cask Blend
1-1. Product Information
◆ Concept: Two “Good-luck charms” and the red konjac from Shiga oden
The blender at Nagahama Distillery has once again been knocked out by Hikonyan’s cuteness!
There is a famous anecdote that goes: “Immediately after Ii Naotaka was led into a temple by a beckoning cat, lightning struck the tree where he had been sheltering from the rain, and he narrowly escaped disaster.”This product embodies the history and romance of two “lucky charms” the good fortune of the auspicious beckoning cat (Hikonyan) and Benzaiten—a deity enshrined on Chikubu Island and known as the goddess of financial prosperity, business success, and the fulfillment of wishes.The packaging and label feature a design of Hikonyan holding “red konjac,” a staple of Shiga-style oden from Chikubu Island. Sent with heartfelt care from Nagahama City, this is the ultimate cup of tea, brimming with history and romance.◆ Our Commitment to the Blend
For this release, we have luxuriously blended a bourbon barrel-aged spirit (Chikubushima Unblended Sake)—which exudes an elegant aroma nurtured by Chikubushima’s humid climate—with a Mizunara oak barrel-aged spirit—which possesses a deep, woody character developed in Nagahama’s aging cellars—along with carefully selected imported spirits.The result is a rich and exceptional flavor where each component’s unique character harmonizes beautifully. Why not savor this mysterious and special drink alongside Hikonyan, who holds a piece of “red konjac” from Shiga oden?
1-2. Product Specifications
| Product Name | Amahanyan Mizunara Cask Blend |
| Alcohol Content | 47% |
| Category | Blended Malt |
| Ingredients | Grain, Malt |
| Net Content | 200 ml |
| Number of Bottles | Unknown |
| Price | 2,200 (tax included) |
2. About the Amahanyan Series
“Amahanyan” is a limited-edition whisky series developed through a collaboration between “Nagahama Distillery” (Nagahama Roman Beer)—Japan’s smallest craft whisky distillery, located in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture—and “Hikonyan,” the local mascot of Hikone City. Packed with the technical expertise and playful spirit of the distillery’s signature world-blended whisky, “AMAHAGAN,” this series successfully combines a cute appearance with the authentic taste of craft whisky.
First Release: Amahanyan Sakura Cask Blend
◆ An incredibly cute appearance paired with authentic quality.
Nagahama Distillery is a craft distillery founded in 2016. Known for its distinctive base spirits and experimental barrel aging, it has released a diverse range of products to date.
This Amahanyan Sakura Cask Blend boldly combines a cute design with aromatic base spirits to strike a balance between the “depth” and “approachability” of whisky. It’s the perfect bottle “for a gift or as a treat for yourself.”This bottle was born from the desire to add more “freedom” and “playfulness” to craft whisky. It features a cute appearance paired with a robust flavor. We hope you’ll enjoy looking at it, holding it, and sipping it. Please treat it with care.
Series 2: Amahanyan Sherry & Sakura Cask Blend
◆Concept: Inspired by Hikonyan’s favorite treat, “dango”
While retaining the vibrant aroma that was so well-received in the first release, “Sakura Cask Blend,” this second release further deepens the nuances of “traditional Japanese sweets.”In fact, Hikonyan absolutely loves dango. Imagining Hikonyan happily tucking into a treat during “snack time,” we’ve boldly fused the rich sweetness derived from sherry casks with the mellow aroma of sakura casks.
Using blending techniques unique to the Nagahama Distillery, we’ve achieved a rich yet delicate flavor reminiscent of “sakura mochi.” This product perfectly balances its adorable appearance with the depth of an authentic craft spirit.
3. About Nagahama Distillery
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Located in the northern part of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Nagahama Distillery is Japan’s smallest distillery.
Nagahama Roman Beer, which began producing craft beer in 1996—the third such brewery in the Kinki region—and has continued to do so for 20 years, launched the Nagahama Distillery on its premises in 2016 and began distilling whisky.
Image source: Nagahama Roman Beer, Nagahama Distillery
Inspired by Scottish craft distilleries, the distillery is characterized by its alambic-style pot stills and ultra-fine line arms, which produce a rich, fruity spirit with a deep, grain-derived sweetness.
Image source: Nagahama Roman Beer Nagahama Distillery
In 2020, “Amahagan”—a blend of foreign malt whisky and malt from the Nagahama Distillery—achieved the remarkable feat of having three out of its four regular series bottles win awards at the WWA ( World Whisky Awards ).
Image source: Nagahama Roman Beer, Nagahama Distillery
Location 526-0056
14-1 Asahi-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture
Directions Approx. 4-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station
Approx. 4 km from Nagahama InterchangeStart of Operations 2016 Official Website Nagahama Roman Beer · Nagahama Distillery Tours Tours available. Reservations required via the website. Products Amahagan, Nagahama Single Malt
For more information about the distillery, click below ↓
長濱蒸溜所(リカマンホールディングス)｜蒸留所詳細情報酒販業最大手のリカーマウンテングループが擁する長濱蒸溜所。長濱浪漫ビールが創業20周年を記念して設立された日本一小さい蒸留所。
jpwhisky.netLastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
