I was able to visit after about 3 years. Due to the pandemic, factory tours had been suspended for a long time, but they recently resumed with some conditions. Many people were looking forward to this, so it's currently very difficult to make a reservation. Fortunately, I was able to book a visit and went with my partner. The tour, guided by Mr. S, allowed us to experience the charm of Yamazaki Whisky once again. We also enjoyed whisky tasting at the counter. Although there are stricter restrictions now, we were able to try whiskies that we don't usually drink. I hope to visit again when I can.

I finally went on a tour of the Suntory factory that I had been interested in for a while. It was just a few stops away from my home, so it was very close. The factory was surrounded by beautiful scenery, and it felt like a school trip as I followed the guide around. I learned a little about the depth of whiskey, such as how the type of wood used for aging barrels can affect the taste. At the end, I enjoyed my favorite whiskey. I saw various advertising materials during the tour, and it was such a fulfilling experience that made me want to visit again.

I have visited this place countless times since my student days, but from May 2023, visits will not be possible due to construction work. Visits will resume in November, but it seems that the paid tour will be by lottery, so fierce competition is expected. This is a report on the last visit in April (I visited the Yamazaki Distillery three times in April). The Yamazaki Distillery celebrated its 100th anniversary of Japanese whiskey from 1923, with the release of a 100th-anniversary label product, a Hakushu Highball in June, and a Yamazaki Highball in August. The deliciousness and rarity of Japanese whiskey brands recognized worldwide seem to have no end. The paid tour course... Unfortunately, it was drizzling, but the scenery and air of the four seasons are always present. You can enjoy the unique charm of the sacred place, the history, tradition, and comfort of whiskey. The guide's explanations and questions make you want to listen even if you understand everything. After leaving the factory and looking at the cool waterside, we move to the tasting room. Enjoying different whiskeys from different barrels at Yamazaki and trying different tastes by adding water or making highballs... No matter what you do, no matter how you drink it, Yamazaki is truly delicious. And the best taste is inside the Yamazaki Distillery. This time, I impulsively tried the paid tasting of Yamazaki 25 and 18 years, but sadly, I usually prefer the non-vintage or 12-year-old, feeling they are more delicious. Oh, I can't wait for November! The competition rate is very high, but I will come back again!

I visited the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery to try the original sake of Yamazaki. The location is about an 8-minute walk from JR Yamazaki Station. Currently, reservations are required and they are operating with limited capacity. It can be difficult to secure a reservation, so I recommend trying on the reservation opening day. I ordered the Yamazaki 12 Year Original Component Experience Set, which allows you to compare different types of Yamazaki 12 Year. When comparing, I found that the blended Yamazaki 12 Year had the most depth and was the most delicious. Overall, it was a lucky opportunity to go with a friend who was able to secure a reservation, and I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal.

I was invited to a tour that was hard to book, and I went to visit the Yamazaki Distillery. It was my first time stepping foot in Yamazaki. The air was so fresh! They are going to start renovations from May, so it was a good timing to visit. The tour fee was 1,000 yen, and it was a rare and valuable experience. I learned about the brewing, distillation, storage process, and had a tasting at the end. The highball was amazing! I also enjoyed up to 3 drinks at the counter for a fee. I purchased a set of White Oak 18 years for 800 yen (15ml) and Yamazaki 12 years for 200 yen, both with serial numbers. Drinking alcohol in the daylight was the best.

I love whiskey so much that I finally made it to the Yamazaki Distillery. They offer tours with tastings, and there's a bar at the end. They have Yamazaki 25 year, Hakushu 25 year, and Hibiki, impressive selection. After the tasting, I ended up having 4 highballs. They also had original chocolates. It was a fun and delicious experience!

I overcame a tough reservation battle and participated in a tour of the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. I actually visited once about 10 years ago, but back then I had no interest in whiskey, so it didn't really click with me. However, I am currently quite into whiskey, so I was looking forward to it. It was raining on the 23rd. Rainy Kyoto, rainy Yamazaki... it's quite nice, I thought as I walked about 5 minutes with my friend to the Yamazaki Distillery. When we arrived, we looked around the general exhibition area and then started the tour on time. We learned about the process of making whiskey step by step. Distillation, fermentation, aging in barrels... what stood out was the weight of history. Whiskey is aged in barrels over a long period of time after being filled into them. The weight of time spent waiting for each barrel to reach its optimal state while monitoring the aging process of each one. After seeing this, you can't just casually drink whiskey anymore. The whiskey made now won't be ready to drink for at least a few years. It's an interesting and challenging drink. I was quite moved. After the tour, we had a tasting session at the guesthouse. We tasted the base spirits of whiskey aged in white oak and wine barrels. I was surprised by how different the taste and aroma were. And when we tried the finished product, Yamazaki, which is adjusted by combining these base spirits, I thought it was well done. The base spirits were delicious but felt like something was missing, so the product complements each other to reach completion. The skill of the blender who combines them well is impressive. After that, we tried various drinks at the shop and tasting corner. I chose the "Ultra-Long Aging Whiskey Experience Set." I thought it was reasonably priced, but being able to drink Yamazaki, Hakushu 18 years, and Hibiki 21 years at this price is a steal. Compared to other menu items that cost 100-300 yen, I thought it was relatively expensive. Among them, Hibiki 21 years was the most delicious. I felt a fruity freshness and a mellow taste within its smoothness. Delicious. Yamazaki 18 years had a rich flavor, hints of vanilla, and a refreshing aftertaste, which was incredibly delicious. By the way, my friend chose to drink "New Pot" and "New Make," which are the transparent liquors made in the early stages of making whiskey. I also tried it, and it was a liquid with a stimulating flavor and alcohol sensation. My impression was more of it being impressive rather than delicious. That's how I had a valuable experience. Yamazaki is a brand that is not readily available, so it's hard to buy, but when it becomes available again, I would like to gradually enjoy it straight.

I was able to make a reservation for a tour of the Yamazaki Whisky Distillery, which was the only place open despite the closure due to the virus. I was looking forward to casually tasting some whisky at the tasting counter, but there was a limit of three drinks per person. I tried the Yamazaki Distillery Limited Single Malt Whisky, which was rich and sweet with a pleasant aroma in the first glass. The 12-year-old Yamazaki in the second glass had a mellow and mature taste, although I didn't think it was worth the price. The third glass had less sweetness and a more robust aroma, which might appeal to serious drinkers. I finished without getting drunk. Overall, the experience was good, but I think the Suntory beer factory tour is better as you can taste more drinks. The souvenir shop staff were not very friendly, but the staff at the tasting counter were decent. If you go for the first time, the self-guided tour is fine, but for a second visit, I recommend taking the factory tour for a more engaging experience.

I visited the sacred place "Yamazaki". I decided to stop by and take a tour, and the goddess at the reception said, "Reservations are required, but you can go in alone," and gave me the OK! I was able to take a tour for a little while, and then I chose my favorite whiskey at the bar counter. I drank Yamazaki's 12-year and 25-year whiskies, and I was surprised by the amazing difference in color and smoothness of taste! Being able to compare by age is such a luxurious experience! I had a great experience. Thank you, goddess at the reception!

I went to Yamazaki from Umeda. It was a surprisingly long walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line's Oyamazaki Station. I thought there was nothing around, but there were unexpectedly stylish cafes and charming Italian restaurants. Walking through the impressive gates of ordinary houses, I only visited the shop today. I received a name tag at the entrance and headed to the white building on the right. The second floor serves as a small exhibition facility. I learned about the history of whiskey, bought some goods and whiskey at the shop. There are limited edition Yamazaki whiskeys, chocolates, etc. The selection of goods is a bit limited, with items like pens. Going downstairs, it was finally time for tasting at the counter. You can order a tasting set of three glasses for ¥900. My second daughter had a tasting set of Hibiki, Hakushu, and Yamazaki for ¥1400, while my daughter who loves drinking had a set for ¥1800 with Suntory natural water (all-you-can-drink) as a chaser. The grasshopper is a lightweight, so the natural water was delicious. We had a great time. On the way back, we took frequent bathroom breaks (lol). My daughters were able to taste the differences and share their impressions. I envy them. It was quite lively with foreigners and groups. Grasshopper still thinks whiskey tastes like disinfectant cotton for injections. The alcohol is too strong. Thank you for the meal.

On a certain day in February in Kyoto, the 3rd day of the trip. When planning this trip to Kyoto, in addition to the purification ceremony, there was another place I wanted to visit, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. I've been a fan of single malt for a while now, and I prefer Suntory over Nikka. Even though I regularly visit the Sendai factory to stock up, I was surprised to find out that this place existed here in Kyoto. It's technically in Osaka Prefecture, but it's only a 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, so I was surprised. I had planned to come here with a taxi driver on the first day, thinking that if it's less than 20 minutes by train, it would take about 30 minutes by taxi. However, on the day, the taxi driver said it would take about an hour, so I decided to cancel! So, I changed the plan to do some sightseeing in the city instead. There was also a purification event on the second day, so... that's why I changed the reservation to the last day. Oh, by the way, the tour here is paid, and reservations are required. Well, that's obvious. But even just using the shop requires a reservation, which shows the name value of Yamazaki. It's about a 10-minute walk from the nearest Yamazaki Station. There isn't much time left until the return flight, but unfortunately, with my two-month postoperative leg, running is not possible. Currently, I am walking as fast as I can, but it doesn't help to shorten the time!! So, I rushed through the tour without stopping, and quickly headed to the paid tasting corner. Now, for today's order: Super Long Aging Whiskey Experience Set for 1800 yen. Let me introduce the lineup: Yamazaki 18 years, Hakushu 18 years, Hibiki 21 years. Vintage bottles that are hard to come by these days for only 1800 yen!! Even if it's just 15ml, no other place would serve these for only 600 yen per glass!! First, line them up for a commemorative photo. Taste? Yes, this is a delicious taste that I want people who like it to try. The chaser is also the delicious water from the Yamazaki distillery. Even though I rushed here, I wanted to savor the whiskey slowly here. The next time, I want to come here more slowly, maybe even aiming for the paid tour. Thanks for the meal! Oh no, I'm running out of time! Hurry up!

I joined a paid tour for 1000 yen. I made a reservation over 2 months in advance. Due to the whiskey boom, this tour is quite popular, so early booking is essential. The Yamazaki Single Malt Whiskey (300ml 1466 yen) that can only be bought here is a limited edition with one bottle per person, but it sells out in the morning. To ensure you get it, you have to go to the gift shop right after it opens at 10 am, which means avoiding the first tour at 9:50 am. The tour itself was very enjoyable, with a tasting session where we could try Yamazaki whiskey with smoked TARUKUN nuts and original chocolates. The demonstration on how to make a delicious highball was particularly informative. I tried it at home right away and got much better at making it. Even if the limited whiskey is sold out at the gift shop, you can still try it at the paid tasting counter (15ml for 100 yen). Just be careful as the alcohol content is quite high, so drink in moderation.

Japan's first whiskey distillery was surrounded by bamboo. The paid tour costs 1000 yen. The pot stills were impressive and shiny. After the tour, there was a tasting session with four glasses provided: White Oak Barrel - Suntory aroma, sweet vanilla, aged over 12 years, high alcohol content but smooth to drink; Wine Barrel - less than 10 years old, weaker aroma than White Oak, taste has bitterness but great spread, rich barrel flavor; Yamazaki Non-Blend - trying hard to stand out in the shortage of original whiskey; Yamazaki Non-Age Highball - slightly sweet with a floral scent. After the tour, I visited the paid tasting corner: Yamazaki 25 years - ripe fruits, rounded and deep, I also want to age like whiskey; Yamazaki Malt 0 years - pre-barrel aging original whiskey, couldn't handle it, made me appreciate the importance of barrel aging. In the souvenir corner, due to the shortage of original whiskey, there were no special finds. The whiskey museum also displays the history from the distillery's opening, with a group photo of the members at the time, including someone who looked like Mr. Taketsuru, but with no explanation, it felt mysterious... Overall, it was an enjoyable tour.

I found the drink my cousin wanted at a nearby supermarket and brought it to him, but he couldn't open it. He asked me to drink it instead, so I had a few shots after a light beer. It had a good aroma and a nice aftertaste. Good drinks are always delicious. I'm not used to drinking much, so I felt it the next day. I probably won't be able to drink it again.

This time, I wandered in Osaka on a business trip (*^O^*) Address: 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka Prefecture. I didn't realize the address was in Osaka, I always thought it was in Kyoto. It seems to be right on the border of the prefectures. I attended a seminar on whiskey and learned about its history. The feelings of the makers are different. I realized once again that it's important to enjoy it deliciously, without just drinking it casually. Thank you for having me.

I participated in a factory tour at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. This time, I joined the Yamazaki Distillery Tour for 1,000 yen. The tour lasted a total of 80 minutes. Under the informative guidance of a knowledgeable lady, we were able to observe the actual manufacturing process including brewing, fermentation, distillation, and storage facilities. At the end, there was a tasting session. They provided ice made with Yamazaki's natural water, as well as carbonated water, allowing us to enjoy highballs. It was truly delicious. It was a delight for highball lovers. During the tasting, we were able to sample different base spirits. There were two types: White Oak barrel and Wine barrel. Blending these to create whiskey is truly amazing. At first, I thought 80 minutes was long, but it turned out to be a fun and engaging time. The lady's explanations were captivating, and I even learned some tips on how to enjoy the tasting. Finally, at the bar, I savored the whiskey. It was a memorable experience. I tried Hibiki 21 years, Hakushu 18 years, Yamazaki 18 years, and Ao, totaling 2,000 yen. I wanted to buy Yamazaki as a souvenir, but unfortunately, they were out of stock. The lady mentioned that sometimes they have it, and they are currently expanding the factory to increase production. Looking forward to the day when I can encounter it again. <Memo> - Reservations for the following month start on the 1st of every other month - Weekends are almost impossible to book, weekdays are also crowded - Register as a Suntory ID member for smooth reservation process When I thought there was nothing around Yamazaki Station, I was surprised to find cute and stylish shops scattered around. Next time, I might consider visiting after lunch as well.

【2019.8.14】I visited the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. The first director was featured in the NHK morning drama "Massan", Masataka Taketsuru of Nikka Whisky. The distillery tour (paid) at The Court requires a reservation, but you can still enjoy tasting without one. The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery has 16 pot stills, while the Hakushu Distillery has 12 pot stills and the Chita Distillery has a small grain whisky still (less than 1/10 of Chita Distillery). The Cooley Distillery in Ireland has won over 300 medals since its opening. Whiskey consumption (which is almost equivalent to production) is as follows: 1. India - about 170 million cases 2. United States - about 48 million cases 3. France - about 15 million cases 4. Japan - about 11 million cases 5. United Kingdom - about 8 million cases. The order I placed was for a 15ml glass of Yamazaki 18 year whiskey, which cost 600 yen. Thank you for the meal.

We had a drinking party with Yamazaki's high-quality plum wine. We enjoyed sashimi with tuna, horse mackerel, and squid, along with two boxes of Camembert cheese. The plum wine was indeed luxurious and worth the price of over 3000 yen. We may have had a bit too much to drink, but it was a delightful experience. Thank you for the meal!

In the afternoon, I took a train from Kyoto to visit the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. The tour, which includes a tour of the manufacturing process and tasting of rare malt spirits, allows you to experience the depth of Yamazaki single malt whiskey. The tour is extremely popular and requires reservations, but luckily I was able to secure a platinum ticket. Upon arrival at Yamazaki Station, I paid the participation fee and received a strap before starting the 80-minute tour. Before the tour began, I visited the Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which had a tasting counter, whisky library, exhibits on Suntory's founding story, and a gift shop. The tour started in the distillery with a visit to the fermentation room, where the aroma of fermentation filled the air. Next was the distillation room, where they use pot stills to distill the spirits. If you're lucky, you may even see the new spirit "new pot" being poured. The tour also included a visit to the warehouse, where the whisky barrels are stored. The atmosphere inside the warehouse was like being in a whisky forest, with strong aromas filling the air. Overall, the tour was a fascinating experience that allowed me to learn about the intricate process of making Yamazaki single malt whiskey.

Today, I visited the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery on a trip. I took a train from Kyoto Station, transferred, and got off at Yamazaki Station, which was about a five-minute walk away. Along the way, I crossed the prefectural border. The Yamazaki Distillery is located with Mt. Tenno in the background and surrounded by a good environment with plenty of water. I had a tasting, and the whiskey itself was delicious, especially when enjoyed with Yamazaki's natural water.

The other day, I participated in a tour of the Yamazaki Distillery, which I had been curious about and had reserved for a while. I learned a lot about how Yamazaki whisky is made, the barrel warehouses, and had a tasting session. Although the history of Yamazaki whisky is relatively short compared to others, it has become world-famous, and it was great to learn about it. Finally, I enjoyed a Maker's Mark soda highball, which was delicious and made with attention to detail in terms of ice and glass preparation. I will definitely visit again!