Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

What to know

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (サントリー山崎蒸留所, Santorī Yamazaki Jōryūsho) is a whisky distillery in the Yamazaki district, roughly halfway between Osaka and Kyoto. Founded in 1923, it produces Suntory's flagship Yamazaki whiskies, which have won numerous international awards.

Surrounded by lush greenery in a tranquil area long known for its pure water—a key ingredient for great whisky—the distillery handles the entire whisky-making process from distillation to aging. A museum and guided tours are available to visitors, but advance reservations are mandatory.

The two-story Yamazaki Whisky Museum introduces the Suntory company, its founder Shinjiro Torii, and the brand's history and products. The second floor explains the distillation process with miniature models and includes English descriptions. A gift shop on the same floor sells whisky-related snacks, goods, and small bottles of un-aged whisky.

On the ground floor, a whisky library displays a wide range of whiskies in shades of brown, yellow, and gold. A cash-only tasting counter allows visitors to sample any whisky by the dram. Menus are available in English and Japanese, with prices starting from around 500 yen per dram.

The distillation process can only be seen on guided tours that enter the otherwise restricted production areas. Inside, the air changes from a sake-like aroma to whisky notes as the tour progresses. Visitors follow the whisky-making process in chronological order: mashing, fermentation in washbacks, distillation in large pot stills, and finally the warehouse where casks mature.

Tours end with a tasting session explaining the differences between single malts and how to enjoy whisky. Regular tours last about 80 minutes, while prestige tours take around two hours and delve deeper into craftsmanship with premium tastings. Tour participants can visit the Yamazaki Whisky Museum before or after their tour.