You probably don’t need any reminder, but Japan’s biggest whisky event is back this year for its 12th year. Following last year’s switch to a two-day event, this year it will be on the weekend of November 16-17. Again in Takadanobaba!
Seminars are always one of the big attractions of the event, and this year there are plenty of options. To name a few of them:
- Chichibu, Suntory, Nikka, Mars, Akkeshi
- Kavalan
- SMWS
- Glenfarclas, Chivas Regal, GlenDronach/BenRiach
- Rum & Tequila
Tickets for the seminar are going on sale via the JWRC website on September 25 at 12PM JST. The most popular seminars sell out in mere minutes, so be quick if you are interested in joining!
That’s of course in addition to the big lineup of booths we see every year. This year one of the newcomers I’m most looking forward to is Yamagata’s Yuza Distillery.
This year’s festival should be a particularly important one for many of Japan’s craft distilleries as their whiskies approach proper “whisky” age (3+ years maturity). Akkeshi in particular is slated to release their Single Malt Akkeshi in 2020, so I expect their seminar will be one of the quickest to fill up.
Advance tickets are available now via e-plus, 4500 yen for 1 day or 8000 yen for both days.
If you haven’t been before, be sure to read my report from the 2018 festival to get a better idea of what the event is all about.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Hi there! I created and run nomunication.jp. I’ve lived in Tokyo since 2008, and I am a certified Shochu Kikisake-shi/Shochu Sommelier (焼酎唎酒師), Cocktail Professor (カクテル検定１級), and I hold Whisky Kentei Levels 3 and JW (ウイスキー検定３級・JW級). I also sit on the Executive Committees for the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition and Japanese Whisky Day. Click here for more details about me and this site. Kampai!