The Niigata Kameda Distillery’s single malt Japanese whisky is finally on sale. Review of Ohtani Whisky Zodiac sign series “Pisces”.
This small distillery was built by renovating part of the warehouse of the Ohtani main factory, a small-scale distillery in Niigata.
Niigata Kameda Distillery’s “New Pot Peated” won the “World’s Best” award in the New Make &Young Spirits category and made its name known to whisky lovers.
１．Bottle and label photo
Ohtani Whisky Zodiac sign series “Pisces”
Ohtani Whisky Zodiac sign series “Pisces”
２．OHTANI WHISKY Zodiac sign series “Pisces”
OHTANI WHISKY Niigata Kameda zodiac sign series [Pisces] is a single malt whisky made from 100% malt distilled at the Niigata Kameda distillery.
This is our first official release that meets the definition of Japanese whisky.It has the characteristic sweetness of First Fill Bourbon casks, with a hint of ripe fruit sweetness and sourness, and the long, gentle aftertaste that is characteristic of Niigata Kameda Distillery, Please enjoy the long, gentle and ever-changing aftertaste that is characteristic of Niigata Kameda Distillery.
＜Tasting Notes
Aroma: chocolate mint, vanilla, honey toast, raisins, black tea, raspberry, melon
Taste: pistachio, lemon cake, butter, milk caramel, honey, strawberry, grapefruit
Aftertaste: smooth and sweet on the palate, with a long lasting bitter chocolate sweetnessReference: Niigata Kameda Distillery official website
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Vanilla chocolate crepe, raisins, ginger honey, smoked pineapple |
| Taste | Butter sandwich, peanut, florentine, cinnamon and condensed milk, fresh acidity |
| Aftertaste | Sweetness and acidity leave a long bitter aftertaste. |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 50% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon and sherry casks |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unknown |
| Suggested Retail Price | 10,978 yen |
| Release date | March 2025 |
3. Awards received
No awards received at this time.
4. List Price and Online Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Ohtani whisky Zodiac sign series “Pisces” |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 10,978 yen (including tax) |
4-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 15,000 yen. (*As of 3/18/2025)
4-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
There are currently no listings on Yahoo! A uctions . (*As of 2025/3/18)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We confirmed that the product was sold at a fixed price on Amazon and other online shopping sites . (*as of 2025/3/18)
4-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
BAR Shinkai” operated by this site offers the product in small quantities, such as45 mlpercup: 2,970 yen, 30 ml: 1,980 yen, and 15 ml: 990 yen.
5. Manufacturer
Niigata Small Scale Distillery Co., Ltd. is a limited liability company established by Ohtani Corporation, a major seal seller.
| Location | Postal code 950-0141 1-3-5 Kameda Kougyo Danchi, Kounan-ku, Niigata City |
| Access | 30 minutes walk from JR Kameda Station |
| Start of operation | March 2019 Distillation starts in February 2021 |
| Official HP | Niigata Kameda Distillery |
６．distillery
Niigata Kameda Distillery
Quote: Facebook
*Citation: Facebook
In 2018, three companies including Ohtani Co., Ltd. formed a team and realized a business proposal for craft whisky production presented in the “Niigata Innovation Program” organized by Nomura Securities Niigata Branch and others; the project was launched in March 2019 and the distillery was built on the premises of the main factory of Ohtani Co.
Niigata Kameda Distillery is the first company in Niigata Prefectureto produce authentic Japanese whisky where the raw material, barley, is germinated to distillation .
The distillation machine ismade by Forsyth in Scotland, and the fermentation tanks used for fermenting the wort were initially made of stainless steel and wooden, but they have now been replaced with wooden vats. Production capacity is 30,000 liters per year.
Imported malt from Scotland is used, but currently barley grown in the prefecture is used for brewing. In addition to pot stills, there are also column stills, and the company is considering producing rice whisky using rice grown in the prefecture, as well as rum.
Maturing is done in a special container, which has the effect of warm maturation? The flavor is very rich despite being a new pot, and it has attracted attention, winning the world’s highest award in the New Make &Young Spirits New Make category at the WWA, 2023.
| Location | 1-3-5 Kameda Industrial Park, Kounan-ku, Niigata 950-0141 |
| Commencement of Operations | March 2019 |
For more information about Niigata Kameda Distillery, please also see this article.
4. at the end.
The price point is low for a single malt in a distillery of this size.
It is aromatic and sweet, with a fresh acidity and a good bitter peatiness. As for the taste, it is sweet and fresh even when drunk immediately, but there are also a great many changes over time, making it a whisky that can be enjoyed over a long period of time.
Expectations are high for the future series. We will be waiting for the release with attention to how long it will be on the market.
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.
