The festival will be held in December this year as usual! Whiskey Festival 2024 in Tokyo. An outline of the event and the exhibitors as of now are introduced.
The calendar has turned to autumn, but summer temperatures are still continuing. In the midst of all this, information on a hot event to be held in winter has been released. The author has been participating in this event every year since Corona.
As of September, 103 booths have already been selected, and some distilleries will be exhibiting for the first time this year.
Outline of the event
| Venue | Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Garden Tower, 3-8-2 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0072 Belle Salle Takadanobaba Event Hall |
| Access | 5 minutes walk from Takadanobaba Station |
| Date and Time |
Limited to 1,200 people in each section |
| Price | Advance tickets 5,000 yen (tax included) Limited to 4,800 people (1,200 for each part) |
| Hosted by | Whiskey Culture Institute Co. |
2. Current Exhibitors
Exhibitors (103 companies as of September 2024)
Akashi Shurui Brewery Kaikyo Distillery / Akayane Manufacturing / Asaka Distillery / Asahi Breweries, Ltd / ePower Corporation / Igawa Distillery / Whiskey & Co. Eigashima Distillery / Eicorn Limited / Eirin Shuzo / Ethical Spirits / S.C.T. Limited / MHD Moet Hennessy Diageo / Ocean Trading Company, SCAPEGRACE / Sake Museum / Osuzuyama Distillery / Yuyama Corporation / Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery / Gakkogawa Distillery Ltd. / Kanosuke Distillery / Kamui Whisky Corporation / CAMPARI JAPAN Corporation / Kiuchi Shuzo Yasato Distillery / Kizakura Tamba Distillery / Kimura Corporation / Kirin Brewery Company, Limited / KING’s BARREL / Kuju Distillery / Ken’s Choice Japan G.K. / Kenten Jitsugyo Co. Akkeshi Distillery／Kobe Distillery／Courteau Corporation／Kokubu Group Honsha／Komaki Brewery／Cordonvale Corporation／COMPASS BOX WHISKY／Size Corporation／Sakurao Brewery and Distillery／Saburomaru Distillery／Suntory Limited／Sanyo Ltd. / Shelbourne Liquor / Japan Import System Corporation / CHOCOLATIER PALET D’OR / Single Cask Japan Co. The Scotch Malt Sales Company / Smile Corporation / Three Arrows Corporation / Three Rivers / Diageo Japan / TL Pearce Distillery / Tensei Brewery Hishida Distillery / Tokyo Craft Liqueur, Chichibu Reiwa Shokai / Toko, Koval / TORABHAIG Distillery / Nagahama Roman Beer Co. Nagahama Distillery / Minamijima Shuhan / Niigata Kameda Distillery / Nishi Shuzo Corporation Ontake Distillery / 21st Century Coffee / Niseko Distillery / Nikko Kaido Oyama Distillery / Nihon Shuyu Hanbai / Highlander Inn / BIRDY. Picture International / Hinokami Distillery / The Factory Spirits / Fukushima Kennan Shuhan / Fujikatsura Kyoi / Fuji Hokurei Distillery / Brown Forman Japan / Frontier Bussan / Helios Brewing Company / Venture Whisky Co. Ventura spirits / Bonili Japan K.K. / Hombo Shuzo K.K. / Maoi Distillery / Miyako Shokai Corporation / Million Trading Company / Meidi-ya Corporation / Maltoyama / Yabu Distillery / Yamaga Distillery / yumarrest / Yuza Distillery / Yokohama Kimishimaya / Yokohama Smokehouse Co. RUDDER LTD., THE ULTIMATE SPIRITS / Leadoff Japan K.K. / Liquors Hasegawa Honten / Liquor Mountain, Whisky Messe / Rokkousan Distillery
The craft distilleries that caught my attention this time are
- Kagoshima’s Hinokami distillery, owned by Satsuma Shuzo, a member of the Hombo Shuzo group, distills not only malt whisky but also grain whisky and has a rare cooperage in Japan.
- Nikko Kaido Oyama Distillery in Tochigi Prefecture, which produces malt whiskey with 100% sake yeast and a ginjo aroma using fermentation technology unique to a sake brewery that produces sake.
- Kobe Distillery in Hyogo Prefecture, which recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to distill whiskey using the brandy distiller “Alambic Charentes” (single distiller).
- Yabu Distillery in Hyogo Prefecture, which uses bioengineering to make and mature unrefined whiskey, under the supervision of Mr. Hosoi, former director of the Nikka Whiskey Technical Development Center, and Mr. Shimizu, a doctor of agriculture and a wine brewing technical manager.
- Komaki Distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, which uses casks made from Yakusugi cedars casks that were cut down before 1985, when Yakushima Island was designated a protected forest ecosystem area.
All of these companies are exhibiting for the first time, or may be the first time Newborn will be included in the exhibit content.
3. tasting seminars & talk sessions
Tasting seminars are one of the main attractions of the Whisky Festival. Although there is a fee for this event, it is a great value for fans and is sold out every year.
Last year’s seminar was also gorgeous, but this year there will be a whopping 8 sessions!
They will be held by the leading blenders in the Japanese whiskey industry, as well as by a splendid lineup of lecturers from overseas.
Talk sessions are held on the main stage in the venue where exhibitors’ booths are located, and are free of charge. This is another popular event where a theme is chosen and a talk is given by one of the participating distilleries.
We will introduce the details of the seminar and session as soon as they are announced.
Seminar】 【Seminar to be held
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
*Only for those who purchased admission tickets for December 7 (Sat.) [Part 1].
Title: Nikka Whisky: 90 Years of Making low whisky
Lecturer: Hiromi Ozaki (Chief Blender, Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd.)
Details: Nikka Whisky celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. During this time, Nikka Whiskey has created a wide variety of whisky, inheriting the DNA of Masataka Taketsuru. In this seminar, participants will enjoy tasting the different types of sake produced, and learn about Nikka’s history and how it will continue to produce sake for its next 100th anniversary.
Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
(2) Date and Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 12:00 – 13:00
*Only for those who purchased admission tickets for December 7 (Sat.) [Part 1
Title: Made by nature not by rules: A masterclass in sustainable and experimental whisky production
Instructor: Annabel Thomas, Founder and C.E.O. of Knocknean Distillery
Details: In this masterclass, Annabel Thomas, Founder and C.E.O. of NC’NEAN Distillery, will tell the story of her small independent organic distillery located on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. Through a tasting of their light, clear and fruity new make and four distinctive single malt whiskies, all of which are organic in orientation, we will learn about NC’NEAN’s unique and thorough approach to whisky making and how they achieve sustainable production, low Specific examples of low-energy distillation, organic barley, waste and water, and slow fermentation and yeast experimentation will be provided. Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 15:15-16:15
*Only for those who purchased tickets for December 7 (Sat.) [Part 2].
Title: Fuji Gotemba Distillery Grain Whisky Creation and Evolution
Lecturer: Mr. Jota Tanaka (Master Blender, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited)
Details: Master Blender Jota Tanaka will explain why Fuji Gotemba Distillery has pursued the creation of three different types of grain whisky under the theme of “Grain Whisky”, which is unique to Fuji Gotemba Distillery. Master Blender Jota Tanaka will explain the taste and characteristics of the different types of grain whiskey, along with valuable cask samples, so please come and enjoy the tasting. Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 16:30-17:30
(*Only for those who have purchased a ticket for the second part on December 7 (Sat.), 2024)
Title: Attraction of “Double Double” series, the highest smooth taste in Dewars’ history
Speaker: Mr. Kun Long Lee (Dewars Brand Manager, Bacardi Japan K.K.)
Details: Master Blender Stephanie Macleod will explain in detail her thoughts on the development of the series and the four-step aging process that produces the smoothness. He will also explain the special attention paid to finishing (various sherry casks, Quercus crispus casks, etc.) with tasting.
The BACARDI Japan Whisky Ambassador will be on hand to explain the products and conduct tastings. Attendance fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
(5) Date & Time: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
*Only for those who purchased tickets to the December 8 (Sun.) [Part 3
Title：Distillation and creation at the newly renovated Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries
Speaker: Shinji Fukuyo (Chief Blender and Global Suntory Spirits Whisky Quality Advisor, Suntory Limited)
Details: Yamazaki Distillery celebrated its 101st anniversary this year, and Hakushu Distillery celebrated its 51st anniversary. Please enjoy a tasting of the limited edition “Yamazaki Story of the Distillery” and “Hakushu Story of the Distillery” that will introduce the “craftsmanship” and “stories” associated with both distilleries. Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
(6) Date & Time: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 12:00 – 13:00
*Only for those who purchased tickets for December 8 (Sun.) [Part 3] admission
Title: And the baton is passed! The New Generation’s Fascinating Blending Techniques
Lecturer: Mr. James Saxon (Whiskey Maker, Compass Box Whiskey Company)
Details: Mr. James Saxon, the new whisky maker of Compass Box Whisky Company, will explain the blending process of the company’s standard series, “Core Collection”. This is the first master class to be held in Japan!
Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
(7) Date & Time: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 15:15-16:15
*Only for those who purchased tickets for December 8 (Sun.) [Part 4].
Title: Akkeshi Distillery: Challenges in the 9th Year and Future Prospects
Lecturer: Mr. Katsuyuki Tatsuzaki (Executive Officer, Distillery Manager and Chief Blender of the Akkeshi Distillery, Keten Jitsugyo Co.)
Details: Akkeshi Distillery started distilling in 2016, and this year marks the 9th season. 24 series of products have been released 4 times/year since autumn 2020, and we have already passed the turnaround point. In order for everyone to enjoy our whisky, which is nurtured in the rich natural environment of Atsugi, while preserving the traditional Scottish manufacturing process, we continue to take on the daily challenge of making it “always high quality and delicious. In this seminar, we will talk about the current situation of Akkeshi Distillery in addition to the information of new facilities such as “No.5 Matured Warehouse, Malting Building, and New Office” as “Challenges in the 9th year and Future Prospects”. Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included)
Date & Time: December 8, 2024 (Sun.) 16:30-17:30
*Only for those who purchased tickets for admission to [Part 4] on December 8 (Sun.)
Title: The Essence of Malt Whisky
Speakers: Stephen Rankin (Gordon & Macphail Director of Prestige / 4th generation of GM’s owner family) & Mamoru Tsuchiya (Representative of Whisky Culture Institute)
Details: A special seminar featuring a dialogue between Stephen Rankin of Gordon & Macphail and Mamoru Tsuchiya, President of the Whisky Culture Research Institute!
It is no exaggeration to say that the malt whisky boom began with GM’s single malt whisky. Please enjoy a rare opportunity to talk about the history of GM’s single malt whisky while enjoying the company’s old bottles, which have now become history.
Fee: 44,000 yen (tax included) *This fee is different from other seminars. Please make sure to confirm the fee for the other seminars.
How to Purchase Seminar Tickets
Please purchase a Whiskey Festival 2024 in Tokyo admission ticket for the section in which the seminar will be held first, and then tap the “Apply” button for the seminar of your choice on the digital ticket to proceed with your application. Only one ticket can be purchased per person for each seminar. Even if you have purchased multiple admission tickets, you may not purchase more than one ticket for the same seminar. In such cases, the admission tickets must be distributed to the attendees, and the person to whom the tickets are distributed must complete the purchase procedures. In addition to the course fee, a separate “CLOUD PASS” system usage fee will be charged for the purchase.
4. limited festival bottle
Another attraction of the festival is the limited-edition bottles that are raffled off each year.
Last year, four of the five limited bottles were Japanese whiskeys. We look forward to hearing more about this year’s bottles from which distilleries they will be offered!
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.
