Nestled in the heart of Hokkaido’s breathtaking nature, Niseko Distillery has quickly become a must-visit destination for spirit lovers. In this post, we’ll explore the distillery’s background, its commitment to quality, the immersive guided tours, and, of course, its exceptional gins and future whiskies.
- What is Niseko Distillery?
- Serious Craftsmanship: From Equipment to Ingredients
- Maturation in the Cold: A Slow, Patient Process
- Guided Tours: A Full-Sensory Distillery Experience
- Tasting Highlight: Ohoro Gin
- Limited Editions: Hakka Mint & Lavender Gin
- Tour Information
- Access
- Final Thoughts: Where Nature and Craftsmanship Meet
What is Niseko Distillery?
A Bold New Venture by the Hakkaisan Group
Renowned for their premium sake, Hakkaisan has now expanded into the world of craft spirits with the founding of Niseko Distillery. Located between Mount Annupuri and the majestic Mount Yotei, the distillery is surrounded by pristine forests and blessed with abundant snowmelt water, making it an ideal environment for distilling spirits.
The distillery itself is designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, quietly blending into the local landscape and reflecting a philosophy of coexistence with nature.
Serious Craftsmanship: From Equipment to Ingredients
Water. Barley. Yeast. Everything Matters.
At the core of Niseko Distillery is a state-of-the-art still made by the prestigious Forsyths of Scotland. With a straight lyne arm, this versatile still is designed to produce not only whisky but also high-quality gin and other spirits.
Ingredient Commitment
- Barley: Imported from Scotland, with plans for in-house malting in the future.
- Local Flavors: Experiments with local Japanese wood like chestnut and mizunara hint at future terroir-driven profiles.
- Currently, the distillery is focusing on non-peated expressions.
Wort & Fermentation
- Each ton of grain yields around 5,000 liters of wort, eventually producing about 600 liters of whisky.
- A special filtration method using barley husks ensures a crystal-clear wort.
- Fermentation takes place in wooden (Douglas fir) washbacks, using Hakkaisan’s proprietary yeast strains.
- A long fermentation time of four days allows for deep, complex aromas to develop.
Maturation in the Cold: A Slow, Patient Process
Niseko’s cool climate is ideal for slow aging. The distillery uses a variety of casks:
- American oak bourbon barrels
- Sherry casks
- Wine casks (standard and small formats)
- Shochu casks
Each cask is carefully charred using gas burners, enhancing both flavor complexity and hygiene. Casks are sourced from Ariake Sangyo in Kyushu, one of Japan’s few domestic cooperages.
Importantly, the warehouse is unheated and uncooled, relying solely on Niseko’s natural temperature shifts. Aging is progressing slowly, with a 10-year whisky as the long-term goal. The first release is still a few years away, though most spirits are already at least three years old.
Guided Tours: A Full-Sensory Distillery Experience
Niseko Distillery offers guided tours by reservation only—an intimate experience that engages all five senses.
What to Expect:
- A walkthrough of active whisky and gin stills
- Step-by-step explanations of the distillation and maturation process
- Tastings at the bar: gin or non-alcoholic options
Bar & Shop
Enjoy your tasting with a view of the still house. Offerings include:
- Ohoro Gin
- Niseko Ezo Fuji sake (by Hakkaisan)
- Uonuma Whisky
- Non-alcoholic Amazake
The shop also sells hand-crafted tableware and artisanal goods alongside the distillery’s own spirits.
Tasting Highlight: Ohoro Gin
Bottling the Spirit of Niseko
After the tour, guests can taste the flagship Ohoro Gin, named after the Ainu word meaning “to continue”—a symbol of enduring quality.
Tasting Notes:
Aroma:
- Crisp juniper, layered with gentle Hokkaido herbs and citrus
- Evokes the freshness of a forest drenched in morning dew
Palate:
- Exceptionally pure and soft
- Juniper provides a bold core, followed by herbaceous and citrus notes
Character:
- Light-bodied but expressive, ideal neat or in cocktails
- A true embodiment of Niseko’s natural purity
Limited Editions: Hakka Mint & Lavender Gin
Don’t miss the seasonal Ohoro Gin variants, available in limited quantities:
❄ Hakka Ohoro Gin
- Made with natural mint from Kitami, Hokkaido
- Refreshing, cooling menthol notes
- Stunning when served chilled or with tonic
💐 Lavender Ohoro Gin
- Infused with lavender from Furano, no artificial flavorings
- Beautiful floral character balanced by classic gin clarity
- Aromatic yet light on the finish
Both are rare, so grab them if you see them!
Tour Information
- Reservation required via the official website (ニセコ蒸留所 見学について | ニセコ蒸溜所)
- Tour fee: ¥1,000 per person
- Small group size — early booking recommended
Access
📍 478-15 Niseko, Abuta District, Hokkaido
🚕 About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Niseko Station
Final Thoughts: Where Nature and Craftsmanship Meet
Niseko Distillery represents a perfect blend of:
- Nature’s bounty from Hokkaido
- Scottish-inspired tradition in distilling
- Hakkaisan’s pursuit of excellence
With a focus on small-batch, high-quality production and an eye toward global recognition, the future is bright for this new distilling gem. As new whiskies and limited gins are released, excitement will only grow.
If you’re heading to Niseko, make this a top stop—sip the landscape, and taste the spirit of the mountains.
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