Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
[ https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/ ]
If you’re a whisky fan, this distillery is certainly worth a visit! The train ride to Yamazaki from Kyoto is around a 40 min train ride and beautiful, and the town is lovely and quaint. The distillery is a short walk from the train station, and not too challenging. We visited in April 2019 and the weather at this time was perfect.
The collection of whiskies in the visitor centre is enormous, and reaches beyond Japanese whiskies to a very large international collection. If you’re not too familiar with the science behind your glass of single malt, the visitor centre also gives a good outline on how whisky is made and everything that goes into it.
There are whisky tastings that you can try (paid for) of some Japanese whiskeys that are no longer available for purchase. We also managed to buy some whisky to take home that is only available for purchase directly at the distillery.
As you may be able to tell, we collect single malt whiskies, and Suntory is one of our favourite makers. The spirits in the top photo in order are: Roku Gin (made by Suntory), Hibiki Whisky, The Hakushu whisky, The Yamazaki whisky, The Chita whisky, and a Yamazaki single malt 12yr which is only available from the distillery.
The Yamazaki and the Yamazaki single malt 12yr are the whiskies made at this distillery in particular.
All in all a great trip and well worth our time.
