At the foot of Mount Ontake, a sacred volcano, sits a distillery of quiet intensity. Here, nature is not backdrop—it’s mentor. Snowmelt feeds the mash, mineral-rich soil shapes the water. The whisky carries a volcanic heartbeat: smooth, earthy, alive. Ontake Distillery is a reminder that all great spirits come from pressure, patience, and place.

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Overview of Ontake

The Ontake Distillery is a whisky distillery located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and is owned by Nishi Shuzo, a company traditionally known for producing shochu. This distillery represents Nishi Shuzo’s venture into the world of whisky, standing out for a few reasons:

Landscape of Ontake Distilery

• Establishment and Location: 

Ontake Distillery began operations in December 2019, sitting atop a mountain overlooking Kagoshima City and the iconic volcano of Sakurajima, providing a unique and picturesque setting for whisky production .

History of Ontake

• Product Line and Goals: The distillery’s first single malt whisky was released in 2023, marking the culmination of 180 years of distilling technology and expertise. The goal for their whisky is to embody the characteristics of being clean/pure, aromatic, and full of flavor, as selected by the president of Nishi Shuzo himself .

The first edition released in 2023 –
Their whisky products include the first edition released in 2023, with plans for future editions in the coming yea’rs. The distillery emphasizes quality and craftsmanship in their whisky production, aiming to contribute to the rich tradition of Japanese whisky .

The Ontake Distillery is a notable addition 

The Ontake Distillery is a notable addition to Japan’s whisky landscape, combining traditional distilling practices with innovative approaches to create unique whisky offerings.

Anecdote of Ontake

Remarkably, the Ontake Distillery is Japan’s first whisky distillery to feature an 18-hole golf course, making it a highly exclusive destination. This integration of whisky production with a golf course underlines its ambition to offer a unique visitor experience .

Copper stills

• Shape and Size: The shape and size of the stills significantly influence the flavor profile of the whisky. Taller stills with longer necks tend to produce lighter and more refined spirits, while shorter stills yield heavier and more robust flavors. The Ontake Distillery likely tailors its still design to balance these aspects, aiming for a whisky that is clean, aromatic, and full of flavor.

• Copper Interaction: The extensive copper contact in both wash and spirit stills helps in creating a smoother and more complex spirit by reducing unwanted compounds and enhancing desirable esters and other aromatic compounds.

The Ontake Distillery, located in Kagoshima Prefecture

The Ontake Distillery. owned by Nishi Shuzo, utilizes a combination of traditional and modern distilling techniques, with its stills playing a crucial role in defining the unique character of its whisky. Here’s an   overview of the stills used at the Ontake Distillery:

Production process of Ontake

1. Wash Stills:

• Function: The wash still is used for the first distillation. It typically receives the fermented wash (the liquid produced from fermentation) and heats it to separate the alcohol from the water and other components.

• Design: Traditional copper pot stills are used, which help to remove impurities and contribute to the whisky’s character. Copper is essential as it reacts with sulfur compounds in the wash, reducing off-flavors and producing a cleaner spirit.

Modern and Traditional Techniques

• Combining Techniques: Ontake Distillery combines traditional Japanese methods with modern distilling technology. This approach allows them to produce whisky that honors their heritage while meeting contemporary quality standards.

• Innovation in Design: The distillery might incorporate innovative design elements in their stills to optimize the distillation process, ensuring consistency and quality in their whisky production.

Ontake distillery Cask

Nishi Shuzo’s commitment 

The use of these stills reflects Nishi Shuzo’s commitment to leveraging their extensive experience in distilling, gained from their long history of shochu production, to create high-quality whisky at Ontake Distillery. This blend of tradition and innovation positions the distillery to produce whisky that is both distinctive and exemplary of Japanese craftsmanship.

Nishi Shuzo

Nishi Shuzo, founded in 1845, is a well-established company located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The company has a long history of producing alcoholic beverages, primarily known for its high-quality shochu under brands like Houzan. Nishi Shuzo emphasizes the importance of agriculture, using locally sourced sweet potatoes and rice, and prides itself on its connection to the land and traditional craftsmanship.

Nishi Shuzo s history

Nishi Shuzo is renowned for its extensive history and expertise in shochu production, which has significantly influenced its whisky-making practices Nishi Shuzo specializes in sweet potato-based shochu, a staple of the Kagoshima region. 

Using locally grown sweet potatoes
This distillery emphasizes the importance of high-quality ingredients, using locally grown sweet potatoes and rice, and implements both traditional and innovative distillation techniques to produce distinctive and high-quality spirits.

“kura without a roof

An interesting anecdote about Nishi Shuzo is their “kura without a roof” 

philosophy suggests an open-air or outdoor setting, blending the distillation process with the natural environment. This approach likely allows natural elements like sunlight and fresh air to interact directly with the distillation process, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with nature