The Japan Cask Company

The Japan Cask Company specializes in the sourcing of rare Japanese whisky in casks & bottles.

We work with knowledgeable, well-connected partners in Japan to build close relationships with distillery owners who make authentic Japanese whisky.

Whisky production at independent Japanese distilleries is small by international standards, so there are a limited number of casks available making them a rarity.

Expertise & Market Access

Identification, selection & negotiation with independent distilleries throughout Japan

Sourcing of single malt whisky in bourbon, sherry, wine, chestnut & Mizunara casks

Advice on maturation periods & management of bottling & export arrangements from Japan

Administration of cask agreements & certification

Management of flow of funds for cask purchases with Japanese parties

Our objective is to grow the number of distilleries offering private casks.

Identification of independent Japanese distilleries who would be open to foreign equity participation

Japanese Whisky

The first Japanese whisky distillery was the iconic Yamazaki founded in 1923. A hundred years later most independent distilleries in Japan have only been making whisky for less than a decade.

The fickleness of Japanese drinkers over the years, Scotch & bourbon imports & the Shochu boom had led to distillery closures.

With the growing reputation internationally of Japanese whiskies initially from the ‘lost’ distilleries of Karuizawa & Hanyu, then the opening of the Chichibu distillery in 2007, was the downward trend for Japanese whisky dramatically reversed.

Today there are at least 80 single malt distilleries in Japan, with a significant number of them making high quality whisky.

Characteristics of Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky making is culturally differentiated from the more established whisky production in Scotland, Ireland & the USA.

Many distilleries grew out of their traditional sake & shochu manufacturing expertise.

There is almost no inventory exchange in Japan and this has never been part of their whisky tradition.

Japanese distilleries are proudly independent and recognised for originality and creativity.

Every Japanese distillery is unique, accentuated by remarkable geographical diversity & varying environmental conditions across Japan.

Authentic Japanese Whisky

The lack of category definition over a prolonged period has allowed producers to import whisky from outside Japan & label as Japanese whisky.

To protect authentic Japanese whisky & usher in a new era of transparency, the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association guidelines became effective in April 2024 as follows:

Fermentation & distillation must be carried out at the distillery

Aging of whisky must be in wooden casks in Japan for a minimum of three years

Bottling of whisky must take place in Japan

The Japan Cask Company will only source whisky from distilleries which adhere to these new guidelines.