Let's make your original glassware using OEM of Kimoto Glass!
- Part 2 -

"Kimoto Glass" produces a wide variety of glasses by utilizing its manufacturing network of factories and craftsmen in Tokyo. In the second part, we will introduce the process of producing original glasses on an OEM basis.

writer：Ryoko Kuraishi／撮影：Kenichi Katsukawa

The glass produced under the double name of Suntory "Yamazaki". Each company name is engraved on the bottom.

Kimoto Glass is a manufacturer that collaborates with factories and craftsmen all over the world. Kimoto Glass's OEM business, which is supported by many manufacturers and brands, is also a reflection of the company's unique character.

We know the techniques and styles that the makers specialize in, their busy seasons, and approximate delivery dates, so we can select the best players for each design.

This is why we are able to incorporate the concepts and stories that our clients want to express directly into the glassware.

The mission of OEM is to create the client's ideal glassware.

Our past attitude of teaming up with craftsmen and factories in Tokyo to convey the world view of glass has been highly evaluated, and we have been approached by many famous manufacturers and luxury brands from all over the world, many of them under a double name.

We are proud of the fact that this is only possible with Kimoto Glass, says
the President Seiichi Kimoto.

This is "The Ultimate Peat Glass", a whiskey glass produced in collaboration with Saburomaru Distillery. After its release, it has been immediately SOLD OUT.

What is the process for the "ideal glass?"

One of their most recent efforts is an original whiskey glass for the Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama Prefecture.

While visiting sake breweries across Japan, he met Takahiko Inagaki, a blender and manager at Wakatsuru Sake Brewery, which led to an offer to create original whiskey glasses for Saburomaru.

Mr. Inagaki came to visit us with over 30 glasses, accompanied by several bartenders and other whiskey professionals.

Our showroom is equipped with a sink and a refrigerator, where you can experience the usability of the glasses while tasting drinks.

We tasted dozens of glasses with whisky professionals to determine the shapes and styles that convey smoky flavors.

Mr. Kimoto picked up key words from the tasting comments of the whiskey professionals, selected glasses that linked to the key words, and then repeated the tastings again.

Holding "The Ultimate Peat Glass" in his hand, Mr. Kimoto explains that how to rises and lingers the beverage's aroma in the glass.

The points that Mr. Kimoto focused on with the whiskey glass were the way the aroma and texture feel on the tongue, the length of the aftertaste that spreads in the nostrils and back of the throat, the speed at which it is brought to the mouth, and the feel of the whiskey in the hand.

For each of these points, the ideal balance of how the mouth of the glass expands, the shape, stem length, rim thickness, and overall curve and weight of the glass was considered.

Once the style and form are determined, a design drawing is made, and a mold is made to produce a sample.

Since a mold must be made for each sample, there are not so many OEMs who make an original from the shape.

In addition, this was the first time for Kimoto Glass to produce an original whiskey glass.

Even so, the first sample was a GO-go for "the way the aroma comes out, how it spreads in the mouth, and how it fits in the hand, just as we envisioned," as expected.

The production of original whiskey glasses was a new challenge for us, so it was a great pleasure to be able to produce something that satisfied our customers.

The role of the glass is to convey the allure and potential of the drink, and it is our life's work to work hand in hand with the makers of the alcohol and the makers of the glass to convey the world view of the drink to as many people as possible.

We want to take on the challenge not only with whiskey, but with a wide variety of other types of sake."

Experience events in collaboration with sake breweries and chefs are being held everywhere. This is a scene from an event held at NOHGA HOTEL.

OEM production procedures.

How to make original glasses by OEM

Semi-custom: Adding color and design to an existing glass (semi-custom). Full-custom: Making a mold from scratch (full-custom).

There are three types of orders.

If you want to make a glass with an original design, the only one in the world, and unique to your store, how long will it take and how much will your budget be? If so, how long will it take and how much will the budget be?

The minimum lot for a full order is 200 pieces.

The cost varies depending on the design and shape, but it takes several hundred thousand yen to make the mold, and about 100,000 yen to make a sample.

The production period is approximately six months. (*Editor's note: Prices and production periods vary greatly depending on the factory and the availability of craftsmen.

If you would like to have original glasses designed and made, it would be a good idea to make an appointment with Kimoto Glass with a rough sketch or design, and a clear budget and delivery date.

A triumpling event held at NOHGA HOTEL at Ueno, where guests experienced the compatibility of glasses with drinks and meals. The original glasses used at NOHGA HOTEL were also produced by Kimoto Glass.

We will check the rough sketch or design drawing, and if something is physically impossible, we will tell you that, but it is our job to think of a way to realize the story behind each design.

We consult with a wide range of craftsmen and factories to create the best glassware, so please try to draw your ideal glassware without thinking about what is possible or not.

Also, in the showroom, customers can narrow down their preferences from many shapes and designs while making and tasting cocktails.

Many clients, including sake breweries, wineries, and restaurants, use the showroom to taste their own drinks while selecting their glassware.

We hope that visitors to our showroom will experience the comfort and value of our glasses and gain an even deeper understanding of them.

President Kimoto hopes to enrich the dining scene by enhancing the individuality of drinks through the use of glasses.

Please visit the showroom to experience the charm of Made in Tokyo glassware!