Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

During our visit to Takayama today, I unexpectedly stumbled upon something intriguing—Takayama Whisky. As I browsed through a local shop, the label caught my eye, and my curiosity led me to pick up a bottle of their blended whisky. Little did I know that this spontaneous purchase would open the door to discovering a fascinating whisky distillery right here in Hida Takayama.

After bringing home the bottle, I decided to look into its origins. That’s when I learned about the Hida Takayama Distillery, a relatively new player in Japan’s whisky scene. What makes it truly unique is its location—a repurposed elementary school nestled in the mountains of Takayama. The former classrooms now serve as storage for aging barrels, and the distillation takes place on the old gymnasium stage. A place of learning in the past has now transformed into a place of craft and tradition, shaping what could be the next sought-after Japanese whisky.

The distillery, established by Funasaka Sake Brewery, is still in its early stages, but it already shows promise. Their current offerings include blended whisky, but the real excitement lies in their upcoming single malt. According to their website, it’s not yet available for sale, but it’s in the works and will be released soon. Given the high-altitude climate of Takayama and the pristine water sourced from the surrounding mountains, the conditions seem ideal for whisky maturation.

Now, with my curiosity fully piqued, I’m already planning a visit to the distillery. I want to see firsthand how this whisky is produced, explore the unique setting, and perhaps get a glimpse of their single malt aging in barrels, waiting to be unveiled. It’s fascinating to witness a region known for its sake brewing now making its mark in the world of whisky.

This unexpected encounter with Takayama Whisky has turned into an exciting new exploration—one that reminds me of how travel often leads to surprising discoveries. While I haven’t sipped from the blended whisky yet, I’m looking forward to sharing it with Hiromi’s colleagues this Saturday at a farewell party. Whether this whisky will become a staple in my collection remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: my journey into Hida Takayama’s whisky-making tradition has only just begun.

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