It’s no secret that the Chichibu Distillery has a passion for getting involved in every step of the whisky making process. Nikkan Kogyo reports that the company has recently taken on six new staff members, one of whom is being trained in the art of […]

TTB filings by California-based Tokiwa Imports reveal that, as expected, the next iteration of Akkeshi New Born will be called Foundations 2 and is peated. The label indicates “Bottled June 2018” so we’ll probably see a release in Japan in July or so. Akkeshi New […]

Five legendary Japanese bartenders have teamed up to create a new tonic essence called “Bombay Sapphire The Tonic Essence.” It’s a waterless tonic that you can add to soda water for making a gin & tonic. What is tonic essence? Yes, I did just write […]

Kagoshima-based Hamada Syuzo is the latest shochu distiller to enter the Japanese craft gin scene. On May 14 they’ll be releasing a new gin dubbed “Japanese Craft Gin Juju,” containing 7 botanicals. But they’ve only named 5 of them: Yuzu Juniper berry Chamomile Orange peel […]

Tokyo’s very own cocktail week is happening again this year. The 2018 edition of Tokyo Cocktail 7 Days is from May 18-27. Yes that’s 10 days, not 7, are you complaining? Tokyo Cocktail 7 Days works just like many cocktail weeks do around the world. […]

Suntory’s Hakushu Distillery is an easy day trip from Tokyo. In celebration of Hakushu 25 being named the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at WWA2018, this past weekend I paid the distillery another much-overdo visit. About the Hakushu Distillery In 1973, the 50th anniversary of the […]

Japan is finally getting its own international spirits competition! The “Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition” will be held for the first time ever in March 2019. Craft distilleries are popping up everywhere worldwide, and Japan is no exception. We’ve seen great ratings given to Japanese […]

I think Japan skipped spring this year. In this edition of Chuhai Watch we’ve got lots of new fruity chuhais coming soon to push you right into early summer! Suntory Kokushibori Pear is 15% real pair juice. Not a very common flavor for cocktails! It’s […]

The Coca-Cola chuhais have been officially unveiled! As Coca-Cola’s first alcoholic drinks in its 132-year history, this is one we need to watch carefully. The Coca-Cola “Lemon-Do” series is coming on May 28th. It’s an announcement we’ve been waiting for since the Coca-Cola Japan CEO dropped […]

I’m sad to report that there might not be a Yamazaki Limited Edition 2018. Suntory has announced their Western liquor summer gift collection for 2018. Notably missing from the collection: Yamazaki Limited Edition 2018. Why is that significant? Since at least 2014, the first year […]