Distillery Categories
Japan
Published 01/01/0001
*It’s also worth noting that a new whisky distillery entered production in 2017 as Kurayoshi distillery however this distillery has not been listed due to the previous nefarious practices of Matsui Shuzo (details in references). The origin of Japanese whisky distillation Japanese agriculture is characterized by rice cultivation but there are two areas where the rice is too cool, northern Hokkaido and the Island of Honshu. The Japanese have grown wheat and barley here for several centuries. The first attempts to distill whisky began as early as 1870 albiet without much success. The Japanese learned to make Scottish style whisky in a manor popular since the Meiji Restoration, Japanese students were sent to other countries to study and master the new craft.
Lowlands
Published 01/01/0001
Lowland Whisky Characteristics The Lowlands region is known for producing light, delicate whiskies that are typically triple-distilled, creating a smoother, more refined spirit. These whiskies are often described as the most accessible of all Scotch whiskies. Regional Identity Lowland whiskies are characterized by: Light and delicate character Floral and grassy notes Gentle, approachable nature Clean, crisp finish Often triple-distilled Traditional Production Many Lowland distilleries traditionally use triple distillation, a process that creates a lighter, more refined spirit compared to the double distillation common in other regions.
New Zealand
Published 01/01/0001
The lion’s share of New Zealand’s whisky making tradition goes back to the Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin, which was founded in 1969. Willowbank sold their first whisky in 1974, were acquired by Seagram’s in 1991, and then sold to Fosters who halted production in 1997. The distillery was closed for good in 1997 and the stills were sent to the Fiji Islands being sold for the production of rum. The last 433 barrels were then bought by the New Zealand Whisky Company (NZWC) and are now sold under the names ‘Milford’ (single malt) and ‘Prestons’ (blend). There are also a number of other product names that infrequently find their way to Europe. From 1997 no whisky was produced in New Zealand until the Thomson Whisky Distillery was founded in 2014 by the NZWC team.
Scotland
Published 01/01/0001
The Motherland of Whisky Scotland is the undisputed home of single malt whisky - a country whose rugged beauty, cold clean waters, and generations of distillers have shaped the spirit that bears its name. From the soft rolling Lowlands to the wild Atlantic coasts of Islay and the Islands, whisky production has been interwoven with Scottish life for centuries. Today, Scotland is home to well over a hundred working distilleries, and new ones continue to appear every year. Yet, as some rise, others fall silent. The story of Scotch whisky is one of continual rebirth.
Slovenia
Published 01/01/0001
Slovenia is a very young whisky-producing nation, with activity emerging primarily in the 2010s. Unlike traditional whisky countries, its scene remains small, with only a handful of dedicated producers and a broader backdrop of established fruit brandy and spirits distillation. The country’s leading whisky producer, Broken Bones Distillery in Ljubljana, began distilling in the mid-2010s and has since gained international recognition, including awards at the World Whiskies Awards. Alongside it, newer entrants such as 2K Whisky and planned projects like Blackmill Distillery signal gradual growth and increasing ambition within the category.