Nagahama Whisky

Situated in the scenic town of Nagahama, with sweeping views of Lake Biwa, Nagahama Distillery is part of a rich tradition of craft and creativity. The story began in 1996, the same year Japan relaxed its regulations on beer production. Seizing the opportunity, the team founded Nagahama Brewery to bring high-quality, locally brewed craft beer to the region.

The brewery quickly became a favorite among both locals and tourists, thanks to its standout releases under the Roman Beer label—including the flagship Nagahama Ale and the Nagahama IPA Special, brewed with aromatic Citra hops.

Riding the momentum of Japan’s growing passion for domestic whisky, the team established Nagahama Distillery in 2016. Though it's one of the smallest distilleries in Japan—occupying just 26 square meters—Nagahama has made a powerful impression as part of the country’s new wave of innovative whisky producers.

Leveraging its beer-brewing heritage, Nagahama mashes and ferments using equipment originally designed for beer production. Distillation takes place in a compact stillroom tucked behind the brewery’s bar, complete with a glass wall that lets visitors watch the process unfold.

The distillery operates under the motto "One Batch, One Barrel"—meaning each batch of spirit fills just a single cask. This micro-scale approach allows for creative experimentation, a philosophy that defines Nagahama’s identity. The team works with a wide range of barleys—from non-peated to heavily peated—and even experiments with malts typically used in their beers.

Nagahama also boasts some of the most distinctive warehousing in the whisky world. The primary maturation site, known as the Azai Factory, is a converted school building where casks are stored dunnage-style in former classrooms. The old science lab now serves as the blending room. A secondary warehouse, located in a disused tunnel, provides a naturally cool and stable environment—ideal for long-term maturation.

From its creative use of space and ingredients to its deep roots in local craftsmanship, Nagahama Distillery exemplifies the bold, boundary-pushing spirit of Japan’s new whisky frontier.