Yamazaki

Japan's first full-scale malt whisky distillery, in Shimamoto, Osaka, where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet. Construction was begun in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii.

Masataka Taketsuru, who had studied at the University of Glasgow and trained in Scotland, served as plant manager from 1924. In 1929 Shirofuda (White Label), Japan's first authentic domestic whisky, was released.

Using pot stills of different shapes and sizes and a wide variety of casks, it makes many styles of spirit. The Yamazaki single malt was born in 1984, and today includes 12, 18 and 25 year olds.