Suntory will renovate the Suntory Hakushu Distillery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and open it to the public on October 2.
Hakushu Distillery was completed in 1973, and this year marks its 50th anniversary. The company has been renovating the facility with the Corona Disaster, and now that the first phase of renovation has been completed, tours for the general public will resume in October.
Located at the foot of Mt. Kai-komagatake in the Southern Alps, the distillery is also called the “Forest Distillery” because it is surrounded by rich forests. The distillery has been renovated under the concept of “LIVE! The distillery will also provide opportunities for interaction between employees and visitors.
A “Visitor Center” will be set up at the entrance to the site. Since the Suntory Natural Water Southern Alps Hakushu Plant is located on the site in addition to the distillery, it will serve as the gateway to both plants. As if to demonstrate the importance of water passing through granite, which is indispensable for whiskey making and natural water production, granite is used for the entrance and exterior walls of the facility.
Once inside, a diorama of the entire site is on display, and original goods are available for purchase. The museum also offers tours and reception services.
Hakushu Distillery has been actively involved in preserving the nature around the distillery since its construction was completed, and the latest renovation includes a “bird sanctuary” where visitors can experience the lives of birds living in the forest. A “bird sanctuary” has been created in the renovated building to allow visitors to feel the activities of birds living in the forest.
The contents of the tours have been updated to reflect the renewal of the facility.
The “Hakushu Distillery Manufacturing Tour,” which costs 3,000 yen and takes 90 minutes, allows visitors to see the distillation building where whiskey is produced, and to taste “Suntory Single Malt Whiskey Hakushu,” “Malt Whiskey Original Sake,” and “Hakushu Mori-scented High Ball. After the tour, visitors will receive an original tasting glass.
The “Hakushu Distillery Manufacturing Tour Premium,” which costs 5,000 yen and takes 130 minutes, includes the above experiences as well as a tasting in the cellar and a tour of the grain whiskey production facilities, which have not been open to the public until now. Tasting of “Hakushu 12-Year-Old” is also available.
According to Mr. Tetsuya Arita, Suntory Hakushu Distillery’s plant manager, the company plans to complete construction of a walking trail in the bird sanctuary by April 2024, followed by the construction of a restaurant in July of the same year. Tours of the distillery are open to those 20 years of age and older, but together with the natural water factory, the distillery will be transformed into a facility that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Participation in the tour requires advance reservations and is by lottery. Applications are accepted on the distillery’s website.
Incidentally, there will also be a store in the Central House, where the tasting lounge is located, where Suntory Single Malt Whiskey Hakushu will also be available for purchase. Mr. Arita said, “We will do our best to make it available for purchase, but please understand that it is not always possible.
© Source travel watch