New rules governing Japanese whisky production âlong overdueâ
11 March 2021 By Lauren Eads
Rules to regulate the production of Japanese whisky come into force on April 1, with producers no longer able to label malts blended with world whiskies as ‘Japanese’ and marking the “dawning of a new era” in the evolution of Japanese whisky.
Ian Chang, vice president Karuizawa Distillers Inc., and master blender and distiller at Komoro Distillery
Last month, as reported by
the drinks business, The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association issued a new set of labelling guidelines for Japanese whisky âin order to contribute to the appropriate selection of whisky products by consumers in Japan and abroad, and to thereby protect the interests of consumers, ensure fair competition, and improve quality.â
Japan s new Komoro Distillery will honour Karuizawa s legacy Japanese distilling company Karuizawa Distillers Inc. (KDI) has announced the opening of a new distillery in the country with whisky-making pedigree at its heart. Founded by hotel owners and husband-and-wife team Koji and Yoshie Shimaoka, KDI is named after the now-closed but world-renowned Karuizawa Distillery whose rare liquids are highly sought after. The Shimaokas dreamt of reviving whisky making locally while honouring and protecting the legacy of Karuizawa, and have pledged to make their operations as environmentally friendly as possible. At the heart of their business will be a new production facility, Komoro Distillery, which is set to open in 2022. KDI officially launched the project in a ceremony at the Komoro Town Hall on 12 December.
Distilling to return to Karuizawa
Big news just in: a team including Ian Chang formerly of Kavalan has announced the return of whisky distilling to Karuizawa in Japan. It will be based at the all new Komoro distillery with the aim to create “the best Japanese single malt whisky.”
There’s legendary whiskies and then there’s Karuizawa. Whisky from the Japanese distillery that stopped production in 2000 is probably the most sought-after in the world, with bottles changing hands for thousands of pounds. So, it’s with great excitement that we heard the news that distilling will be returning to Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture in 2022.