Nanbu Bijin Craft Distillery

Iwate Prefecture's first whisky distillery, built 2023 on the grounds of the historic Nanbu Bijin sake brewery (established 1902) in Ninohe City. Uses a Yokoyama Engineering copper pot still with carefully calibrated lyne arm angle to achieve the same 'clean and pretty' flavor profile as their acclaimed sake. Pioneering research into urushi (Japanese lacquer) wood barrels — Ninohe City is Japan's largest urushi producer. First whisky expected 2027 per Japanese Whisky regulations (3-year minimum aging). Paid tastings of maturing spirit available since December 2024. A sake-to-whisky conversion embodying terroir innovation.

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