Yoichi Distillery

Yoichi Distillery: The Birthplace of Authentic Japanese Whisky

Yoichi stands as a monument to one man’s extraordinary vision. In 1934, Masataka Taketsuru — widely celebrated as the father of Japanese whisky — chose the rugged northern coast of Hokkaido to build his dream distillery. After training at Scottish distilleries in the early 1920s, Taketsuru sought a location that mirrored the harsh, maritime climate of Scotland. Consequently, he selected Yoichi for its cold sea winds, crisp mountain air, and access to pure water sources fed by melting snow.

Traditional Craftsmanship and Coal-Fired Distillation

Yoichi Distillery maintains production methods that most distilleries abandoned decades ago. In particular, the facility operates one of the world’s last direct coal-fired pot stills, a labour-intensive technique that demands constant attention from skilled craftsmen. This traditional approach generates complex, smoky character with subtle maritime influences that define Yoichi’s distinctive house style. Furthermore, the distillery produces its own heavily peated malt on-site, adding another layer of authenticity to every expression. The combination of Hokkaido’s challenging climate and these time-honoured methods creates single malts of remarkable depth and intensity.

Notable Yoichi Expressions and Releases

Yoichi has earned international acclaim through its exceptional range of single malts. Nevertheless, following the global Japanese whisky shortage, Nikka discontinued most age-statement releases in 2015. As a result, collectors now prize these bottles highly:

Yoichi Single Malt NAS — The accessible gateway to Yoichi’s bold, peaty character
Yoichi 10 Year Old — A discontinued classic showing beautiful smoke-fruit balance
Yoichi 12 Year Old — Rich sherry influence with coastal minerality
Yoichi 15 Year Old — Complex and refined, increasingly rare
Yoichi 20 Year Old — Multiple World Whisky Award winner, highly collectible

Where to Buy Yoichi Distillery Whisky in Switzerland and Europe

Wines & Spirits SA sources Yoichi expressions through authorised channels, guaranteeing authenticity on every bottle. Our specialists carefully curate both current releases and rare discontinued bottlings for discerning collectors across Switzerland and Europe. Moreover, we provide secure shipping and expert guidance to help you discover the perfect Yoichi for your collection. Explore our selection and experience the whisky that Masataka Taketsuru devoted his life to creating.

Category: Yoichi Distillery

Yoichi Distillery

Category: Yoichi Distillery

Categories

Hanyu Joker Colour Ichiro’s Malt Card 3441

Yoichi 10 ans NAS Suntory ancien/old

Yoichi 12 ans Suntory

Yoichi 15 years old Nikka Japan

Yoichi 20 ans Nikka

Headquarters

For more information

Contact phone

Category: Yoichi Distillery

Categories

Hanyu Joker Colour Ichiro’s Malt Card 3441

Yoichi 10 ans NAS Suntory ancien/old

Yoichi 12 ans Suntory

Yoichi 15 years old Nikka Japan

Yoichi 20 ans Nikka

Headquarters

For more information

Contact phone

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