Also started to sell "Ohoro Gin", which is limited to the Hokkaido area.
Niseko Distillery's aim in whisky production.
<Part 2>

This month, we introduce the Niseko Distillery, the first whisky distillery to be established in Niseko on 1 October.We take a closer look at the whisky it aims to produce.

writer：Ryoko Kuraishi　

The Niseko distillery began full-scale whisky production in March 2021.


It is brewed using British malt and Niseko Annupuri subsoil water, fermented in wooden fermentation vats and distilled in Forsyth pot stills.


The resulting spirit is then sent to the cellar.Five types of casks are used: bourbon casks, sherry casks, wine casks, hogsheads reassembled from bourbon casks and new casks.


The first cask fillings took place in May and so far around 18,000 litres (61 casks) have been prepared.


The cellar is not air-conditioned, so it is affected by the outside temperature.

The climate in Niseko is cool in summer, so the sake matures slowly.The sake is matured slowly and over time at room temperature in Niseko's natural environment.

A single larch counter serves as a tasting area.

Whisky making with a view to the next 10 to 20 years.


The aim is to produce a Japanese whisky with a well-balanced, delicate taste that will be recognised around the world.


'Whisky production has finally started, and I think we've finally entered the big preliminary stage.

I think we will finally reach the stage of production when we have something that has been matured for 10 years or so.

Within such a long institution, we would like to take on various challenges, such as malting, for example, and making wooden barrels from Hokkaido Quercus ......."

OHORO GIN is available exclusively in the province.

The first product from the Niseko distillery is ohoro GIN (standard).

The whisky is not expected to be available until 2024 or later, but the gin is being launched to coincide with the distillery's opening.


The name "ohoro gin" means "to continue" in the Ainu language, and was chosen in the hope that the first gin in the Niseko area will be loved by the local people for a long time to come.


The gin was chosen from among "many prototypes" and is a combination of 13 botanicals, including juniper berry, coriander, chamomile, angelica root, orris root, liquorice and various citrus fruits.


The addition of Hokkaido botanicals such as Japanese hacca and yachiyanagi also expresses Hokkaido's unique character.


'It has a clean, smooth attack with a solid core and a light citrus aroma.

It can be enjoyed as a cocktail base or simply enjoyed straight, on the rocks or with soda."

The shop space is lined with crafts on the theme of 'time' as well as whisky.The shop also stocks sake from the Tohoku region.

For gin, as with whisky, the emphasis is on balance and finesse.


While the regional character of Niseko is important, the botanicals were selected with quality and flavour as the primary consideration.


Of course, if there are ingredients that can be produced locally, there is a possibility that these will be used in the future.


According to Vice-President Nagumo, "It goes well with the unique cheeses carefully produced in the local Niseko town, and is recommended as a pairing".

Go to the distillery, which is richly stocked with local larch.

The distillery offers tours by reservation only (four tours a day, up to 10 people per tour).


Each tour lasts 90 minutes and the production staff will explain the distilling process and guide you through the cellar.


Tastings at the bar counter are also available (for a fee).


Next to the distilling facilities is a shop space (visitors must make a reservation), where, like the whisky, the selection is based on 'items whose value increases with the passage of time'.


Items such as hammered copperware from Tamagawa-do and sake from a Tohoku sake brewery will be available, which not only show the 'layers of time', but also the individuality and climate of each region.


Imagine the whisky that will be released three years from now, taste the gin, touch the special products and immerse yourself in the passage of time.