Nishi Shuzo’s Ontake Distillery—a distillery that never stops innovating—will begin shipping 700ml bottles of “Hioki,” a Japanese blended whisky named after Hioki in Kagoshima, starting March 23.
Ontake Distillery malt × Hioki Distillery grain. And it’s affordably priced!
Ontake Distillery, operated by Nishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture; President: Yoichiro Nishi), began shipping 700ml bottles of the Japanese blended whisky “Hioki” on March 23, 2026.
Previously available only in 1.8L bottles, this product has been added to the lineup in a new size designed for casual enjoyment at home. Now you can enjoy this harmonious blend—created from Ontake Distillery’s malt whisky and grain whisky aged at Nishi Shuzo’s Hioki Warehouse—in a more accessible format.
1. Japanese Blended Whisky “Hioki”
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2. Product Information
“A harmonious whisky born from 180 years of fermentation expertise.”
“Hioki” is a Japanese blended whisky named after Hioki City in Kagoshima Prefecture, the birthplace of Nishi Shuzo.
By combining malt whisky distilled at the Ontake Distillery with grain whisky aged at the Hioki Warehouse—the company’s headquarters—we express a whisky-making tradition deeply rooted in the land of Kagoshima.A unique, crisp finish born from Kagoshima’s rich natural environment and 180 years of fermentation and distillation expertise.
This crispness enhances food and creates a highball that makes you want to keep drinking.It features a harmonious blend of the deep, malt-derived aroma and the soft mouthfeel provided by the grain, with a gentle finish that expands the more you drink.
The refreshingly fruity aroma, combined with a subtle hint of peatiness, truly comes into its own when enjoyed as a highball.While “Hioki” has previously been available only in 1.8L bottles, we have now launched a new 700ml size with the hope that “more people will be able to enjoy it casually as part of their daily lives.”
This more accessible size makes it the perfect bottle for an evening drink at home or for sharing special moments with loved ones.Building on the traditions and techniques cultivated through shochu production, Nishi Shuzo delivers the value of a new Japanese whisky from Kagoshima.
Official Comment from Nishi Shuzo
3. Lineup
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・Product Name: Hioki
・Price: ¥4,000 (excluding tax)
・ABV: 40%
・Volume: 700ml
Shipping begins March 23, 2026
・Product Name: Hioki
・Price: ¥7,500 (excluding tax)
・Alcohol Content: 40%
・Volume: 1,800ml
On sale now since October 29, 2025
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4. Tasting Notes
Aroma: The sweetness of dried apricots is layered with the scent of caramelized apples. Nutty flavors and subtle vanilla nuances add complexity and depth. An elegant, rich aroma reminiscent of the nature of Mt. Ontake unfolds.
Taste: Upon tasting, the richness of the malt and the smoothness of the grain harmonize beautifully. The balance between fruity sweetness and the gentle, grain-derived flavor is exquisite. The complex flavors that gradually unfold on the palate are a testament to its long maturation.
Finish: Characterized by a crisp and clear finish. The refreshing aftertaste invites you to take another sip. A harmonious finish, blending the terroir of Hioki with the nature of Mt. Ontake, lingers for a long time.
5. Nishi Shuzo, Mt. Ontake Distillery
Nishi Shuzo was founded in 1845. Boasting over 170 years of history in the mountains of Hioki City, it is a long-established producer of authentic shochu, known for brands such as “ Satsuma Hozan ” and “ Tenshi no Yuuwaku.” In February 2011, the company acquired the Kagoshima Golf Resort. In 2019, it constructed a whisky distillery within the golf resort.
This marks the third distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, following Honbo Shuzo’s Mars Tsunuki Distillery and Komasa Jozo’s Kanosuke Distillery.
“Ontake” refers to Sakurajima and appears to be the island’s traditional formal name.
The distillery operates a total of two pot stills: one primary still and one secondary still.
Both feature upward-facing line arms, resulting in a fruity, deep aroma and a clean, crisp new make spirit. All barrels used for aging are ex-sherry casks.
The distillery also made headlines in 2019 with the release of ” Tsukusu, ” a craft gin created by extracting a total of 24 botanicals.
| Location | 12300 Shimofukumoto-Cho, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-0144 |
| Access | Approx. 5 minutes from the Ibusuki Skyline,Nansatsu Jukan Taniyama IC Expressway, Approx. 20 minutes by car from Kagoshima-City Approx. 40 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport |
| Start of Operations | 2019 |
| Official Website | Ontake Distillery |
| Tours | — |
| Products |
Ontake The First Edition 2023 |
4. Summary
Starting with major distillers like Nikka Frontier, craft distilleries such as Sogaini in Sakurao are now available for around 4,000 yen, and they are increasingly common even at convenience stores. I believe it is a very positive trend for us consumers that it has become easier than ever to purchase high-quality domestic craft whisky.
I highly recommend this as a whisky for everyday drinking.
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.
