Asaka Distillery

Historie

Historie

笹の川酒造 (Sasanokawa Shuzo) is based in Fukushima and has a long history as a sake brewery dating back to 1710. The company received a whisky license in 1946 and is thus the oldest existing whisky brand in the Tohoku region. In 1946 the whisky license was granted, and since then the company has experienced various phases: in the 1980s it also became a major player in northern Japanese whisky, known for Cherry Whisky and other names such as TOA and Ichiro’s Malt. After a period of challenges in the whisky sector, certain stocks from TOA were later acquired and contributed to the development of Ichiro’s Malt as a cult whisky.

In 2014, YAMAZAKURA was revived—a whisky born from an open, collaborative aging process in the warehouses—and launched as part of the portfolio. In 2016, the ‘Asaka Distillery’ was moved and restarted in a traditional stone cellar with whitewashed walls. This is the only region in Tohoku that produces a sacred, locally-made whisky – and it is through the Asaka Distillery that these unique conditions continue to develop the whisky’s character.

An important part of the history is also the water- and landscape-based environment: Lake Asaka and the Asaka Canal, and the area around Koriyama, have played a major role in the development of the distillery. In 2016, the Asaka Canal was registered as Japan Heritage site under the name The Canal That Ensured the Future …, reflecting the long-term connection between culture, infrastructure and whisky production.

Produktion / Fremstilling

Produktion / Fremstilling

The distillery uses pot stills and mash tuns as part of its production process and places great emphasis on the climate's influence on maturation and flavor development. Whisky production here is not mass-produced; the site emphasizes creating a unique, distinctive character through the environmental conditions of the Asaka district – cool winters, hot summers and pronounced temperature fluctuations that affect maturation in wooden casks. Whisky here is generally not chill-filtered and has natural color in some products – reflected in released editions (for example, Zodiac bottling).

There are concrete plans and descriptions for the 2025 whisky fade projects for the owner scheme: four first-fill bourbon casks and a peated malt signal (50 ppm) that will be cask-in at 63.5% ABV in some original-malt proportions. The aging plan is five years, and by 2030 it is expected that batches will be ready for bottling – two casks at cask-strength without water and two casks with water (50%) to highlight the Asaka Distillery's aromas.

Produkter / Whisky-serier

Produkter / Whisky-serier

• YAMAZAKURA JAPANESE SINGLE CASK WHISKY – 安積 巳ラベル

• Type: Japanese single cask whisky (the label indicates single cask as well as malt-base)

• ABV: 50%

• Volume: 700 ml

• Distilled: 20.06.2017; Cask in: 21.08.2017; Bottled: 12.12.2024

• Number of bottles: 235 units

• Characteristics: Un-chill-filtered, no added color (natural color)

• Price: 15,400 JPY (incl. tax) + COD fee

• Description: A Japanese single-cask whisky from the Asaka Distillery with a clear malt base and a mature, high profile that communicates the 2017 distillate and 2017 cask.

• 干支ボトル (Zodiac Bottle) – YAMAZAKURA JAPANESE SINGLE CASK WHISKY 安積 巳ラベル

• Vintage: 2024 release, single cask with 50% ABV, 700 ml, 235 bottles, non-chill filtered, no artificial color.

• Distillery: ASAKA, Distilled: Jun 20, 2017; Cask in: Aug 21, 2017; Bottled: Dec 12, 2024

• 2025 Whisky Oprationer / Whisky Kubiner – Udlæg til ejerordning

• First Fill Bourbon Barrels: 4 casks

• Peated Malt: UK-origin malt, Crisp’s Laureate variety, 50 ppm

• Asaka-distilleriet Peated Malt Original wort: Alc 63.5% i cask

• Planned: Cask-in in sept 2025

• Allocation: 2 bottles per 1 “口” owner, 4 bottles per 2 “口” owner

• Price: 30,000 JPY per “口” (including shipping and all costs)

• Andre bemærkninger

• Whisky produced by the Asaka Distillery and station-ageing in the Asaka-district’s climate – focused on a unique character and craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Besøg / Oplevelser

Besøg / Oplevelser

• Factory tours: Free courses and paid premium courses are offered by advance booking.

• Free course: Held every Wednesday from 13:30–14:30; Limit: 5 people; Inquiries require advance registration by phone or via contact form.

• Premium course: A paid course is held monthly (other months may switch to a lottery). Price: 11,000 JPY per person; Includes a tour of the guest room, an introduction to the distillation process, separator exercise, hand-filtration (your own whisky blend), tastings of a range of rare whiskies and a shop visit. Number of places: 6 by lottery; Maximum 2 people per application.

• Booking: Applications via a dedicated form; drawings and results are communicated by email; cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the event.

• Important notes: Visits are reservation-based; full confirmation will be sent by email and phone if there is any discrepancy; safety and hygiene during the visit require advance registration.

Filosofi

Philosophy

• Wind and climate as the artists of flavor: The distillery focuses on the character of the Asaka Plain, where the cold winds from the mountains and the hot climate through the seasons shape aroma and texture in the aged casks. The whisky expressions derive their unique identity from this climate and aging in derived casks, giving a distinct "wind-driven" character.

• Preserving traditions and respect for nature: The distillery combines old-fashioned methods with modern practices and emphasizes the use of local rice and raw materials. There is an emphasis on craftsmanship and an honest approach to production – without unnecessary processing – to preserve authentic flavor and experience over time.

• History and a forward view: The story of YAMAZAKURA and the Asaka Distillery shows a long continuity and a passion for whisky that spans generations and the tests of time. The aim is to produce whisky as part of a life philosophy around "wind and time" and slow maturation – something that cannot be rushed but must develop in peace and quiet."}