Yamazaki

Lore & Background

He married a Scottish girl, Jessie Roberta 'Rita' Cowan, who went to Japan with him in 1920.

Reader's Guide

Yamazaki distillery holds a foundational place in Japanese whisky history as the nation's first commercial whisky distillery. Its founding by Shinjirō Torii and the hiring of Taketsuru Masataka set the stage for Japan's whisky industry. The distillery's significance is underscored by its production of several acclaimed single malt whiskies, including the 12-Year, 18-Year, and 25-Year expressions. The 18-Year earned six consecutive double gold medals at the San Francisco Spirits Competitions between 2008 and 2013, and the 25-Year was awarded 'Best Japanese Single Malt' at the 2013 World Whisky Awards. The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 was named World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015. The distillery also features a 'Whisky Library' displaying seven thousand bottles of unblended malt whisky.

Did You Know?

• Seven thousand bottles of unblended malt whisky are on display in its 'Whisky Library'.
• Taketsuru Masataka, the first factory director, studied at Glasgow University and learned Scotch whisky production in Scotland.
• The Yamazaki 18-Year earned six consecutive double gold medals at the San Francisco Spirits Competitions between 2008 and 2013.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some people assume the distillery was founded by a Scotsman, but the facts show it was established by Suntory, with Taketsuru Masataka—a Japanese man who studied in Scotland—serving as its first factory director. Others may think Yamazaki’s founder married a Japanese woman, but he actually married Jessie Roberta “Rita” Cowan, a Scottish woman who moved to Japan with him in 1920.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

Yamazaki distillery endures not only as Japan’s first commercial whisky maker but as a symbol of cross-cultural craftsmanship—blending Scottish tradition with Japanese precision. Its continued success, reflected in awards like the Yamazaki 18-Year’s six consecutive double gold medals, proves that innovation rooted in historical mastery can create a lasting global legacy.