Kyoto Miyako Distillery

About the distillery

Kyoto Miyako Distillery is Kyoto’s first whisky distillery and is located in Kyotamba-Cho in the central part of Kyoto Prefecture. The area is surrounded by mountains, and the Yura River is close to the distillery. Here, it is especially two different pot stills and the local climate that shape the site’s whisky profile.

History

Kyoto’s first whisky distillery

Kyoto Miyako Distillery is described as the first whisky distillery in Kyoto. It is located in Kyotamba-Cho, a peaceful area on the Tamba Highlands, surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Chorogatake. The proximity to the Yura River is also mentioned as part of the site’s geography and local character.

Raw materials and production

The distillery works with pot still distillation and has two different still types: a straight head type and a bulge type. The straight head type is described as a path to a spirit with a relatively clear character from the raw materials, while the bulge type contributes to a more floral and soft expression. By using both types, the range of whisky style is expanded. The location in Kyotamba-Cho is also important for production, because large temperature differences between day and night are highlighted as a driving force in maturation. In other words, it is a distillery where the equipment and the climate work together to shape the spirit.

Maturation and cask types

Maturation is described as barrel aging, and local temperature variation is a central element. Kyotamba-Cho lies surrounded by mountains, and the difference between day and night temperatures is highlighted as something that accelerates whisky maturation. It is a simple but clear approach, where the surroundings not only provide the backdrop for the distillery, but also affect how the whisky develops in the cask.

Whiskies

The current range, mentioned in the official text, includes Kyoto Whisky Nishijin-ori in both 700 ml and 200 ml bottles. In addition, Kyoto Gin and Kyoto Beer are included in the contact and product overview, but the whisky is represented by the Nishijin-ori name. The range appears narrow and clearly focused rather than large and broad, and it fits a distillery that places emphasis on local identity and a controlled development of style and expression.

General tasting profile

The whisky profile can be described as a combination of a clearly raw-material-driven style and a softer, smoother direction, supported by the distillery’s two pot still types.

floral is described as The bulged pot still type is described as contributing to a more floral and smooth spirit expression.

Visit the distillery

Public visiting access, tours, and tastings are not described in the provided text. The focus in the official text is on the distillery’s location, production, and products.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

The distillery’s values are tied to a deliberate use of two different pot still types, so that the range of the whisky can be broadened. In addition, the site and the climate are not just background, but part of the craft, because the aging in Kyotamba-Cho is highlighted as something that affects maturation. The identity is clearly local and connected to Kyoto, the nature surrounding the distillery, and a strict, technical control of the spirit’s expression.

Prices and recognitions

• Double Gold Medal (2026, Won, Kyoto Whisky Mizunara Cask)

• Double Gold Medal (2026, Won, Kyoto Whisky Sherry Cask)

Latest news

Kyoto Whisky Mizunara Cask and Sherry Cask win Double Gold at SFWSC 2026 – 2026-06-15

The distillery announces that Kyoto Whisky Mizunara Cask and Kyoto Whisky Sherry Cask have both won their first Double Gold Medal at SFWSC 2026 in the USA.