The Kobe Distillery in Hyogo Prefecture has announced the release of its first single malt whiskys, “KOBE WHISKY SINGLE MALT 1st edition” and “KOBE WHISKY SINGLE BOURBON CASK 1st edition.” Shipments will begin sequentially starting in November 2026.
It has been 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.The Kobe Distillery, which revived the stills that had fallen into disuse due to the earthquake and began producing whisky, has created its first Japanese whiskys using carefully selected unpeated malt and two types of yeast—whisky yeast and ale yeast. These whiskys were crafted by a small, elite team through repeated trial and error.
1. KOBE WHISKY SINGLE MALT 1st Edition
1-1. Product Information
⚫︎Kobe Single Malt Whisky, crafted in a setting rich in nature
The malt is made from Nijo barley, which features large grains and a high starch content. Additionally, by using two types of yeast—whisky yeast and ale yeast—the aroma, complexity, and body are enhanced.
To further enrich the flavor and achieve a fruity profile, the mash undergoes a lengthy fermentation process of approximately 70 hours under meticulous time management.
Distillation in copper stills removes any off-flavors, resulting in a strong, rich, and flavorful spirit.
For aging, we primarily use bourbon barrels, along with sherry and sakura barrels. The result is a whisky that is distinctive yet full-bodied, with a vibrant aroma.
⚫︎Aiming to become a new specialty of Kobe
Kobe Distillery’s first single malt whisky.
From the very beginning of production, the distillery has upheld the goal of “creating a new specialty product for Kobe.”
We continue to produce this whisky with a deep love for the city of Kobe and a strong desire to help people both in Japan and abroad learn more about Kobe.And in 2026, a whisky bearing the name “Kobe” was finally born.
This is a bottle we truly hope everyone who loves their hometown of “Kobe” will enjoy.
1-2. Product Specifications
| Product Name | KOBE WHISKY SINGLE MALT 1st edition |
| Alcohol Content | 47% |
| Type | Single Malt whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles | 2,000 bottles |
| Price | 14,300 yen (tax included) |
2. KOBE WHISKY SINGLE BOURBON CASK 1st Edition
2-1. Product Information
⚫︎A single, carefully selected cask aged for 3 years in Kobe
The defining feature of a single cask is that it is bottled without being blended with whisky from other barrels.
Furthermore, since “KOBE WHISKY SINGLE BOURBON CASK 1st Edition” is cask-strength, it has a high alcohol content and a robust flavor, allowing you to directly enjoy the unique character of the cask.During aging, a few percent of the whisky evaporates each year as “angel’s share,” so not all of the raw spirit placed in the cask can be bottled; consequently, quantities are limited.
For this release, we have carefully selected a single cask (Cask No. 11) that has matured in a bourbon barrel, resulting in a particularly aromatic and flavorful spirit.
While the character of the barrel itself is mild, the richness of the spirit is complemented by notes of vanilla, honey, and banana.This is a special, one-of-a-kind whisky—a flavor you’ll never encounter again.
⚫︎Aiming to become a new specialty of Kobe
Kobe Distillery’s first single malt whisky.
From the very beginning of production, the distillery has set the goal of “creating a new specialty product for Kobe.”
We continue to produce this whisky with a deep love for the city of Kobe and a strong desire to help people both in Japan and abroad learn more about Kobe.And in 2026, a whisky bearing the name “Kobe” was finally born.
This is a bottle we truly hope everyone who loves their hometown of “Kobe” will enjoy.
2-2. Product Specifications
| Product Name | KOBE WHISKY SINGLE BOURBON CASK 1st Edition |
| Alcohol Content | 59% |
| Type | Single Malt whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Number of Bottles | 200 bottles |
| Price | 19,800 yen (tax included) |
3. What is Growth Stars Co., Ltd.?
Parent company of Kobe Distillery
| Company Name | Grow Stars Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Business Activities | Manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages; import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages; export and sale of marine products, agricultural products, livestock products, soft drinks, and processed foods, Import and sale of alcoholic beverage production equipment; design, manufacture, and sale of alcoholic beverage supplies |
| Address | 706 Daiwa Jisho Sannomiya Building, 3-1-2 Isobe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0084 |
Founded in Heisei 27 with trade agency services as its primary business, the company mainly handles the export of food and beverages and the import of packaging materials.
4. About the Kobe Distillery
“Fruit & Flower Park,” a roadside station in Kobe surrounded by nature. Although it bears the name “roadside station,” it is actually a multi-purpose entertainment complex that includes a hotel, hot springs, a swimming pool, and an amusement park. As the name suggests, flowers and fruits are cultivated on the premises, and the Kobe Distillery is located within the Bride’s House, a section of the complex.
The Kobe Distillery was established with the goal of creating a new specialty product for Kobe. It obtained distilling licenses for whisky and brandy in 2022 and began operations on October 14, 2022.
Surrounded by mountains, the area experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and features a humid natural environment, making it ideal for aging whisky.
The distillery is equipped with pot stills dedicated to whisky and distillation equipment dedicated to brandy. In addition to bourbon and sherry casks, the distillery will also use Japanese oak varieties such as Mizunara and Sakura for aging.
 Image source:Kobe Distillery official website |
 Image source:Kobe Distillery official website |
The distillery has two primary stills and one secondary still.
Lastly: 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.
