Komoro Distillery to Release Its First Single Malt in November
Nagano's Komoro Distillery is releasing its first single malt, KOMORO ORIGIN, in limited quantities, three years after its first distillation.
A new name is joining the world of Japanese whisky. Komoro Distillery in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, has announced that it will release its first single malt, KOMORO ORIGIN, in limited quantities from 7 November 2026. It arrives after more than three years of maturation since the first distillation on 20 June 2023.
A distillery at the foot of Mount Asama, around 910 metres above sea level
Nagano is a mountainous prefecture in central Honshu, to the north-west of Tokyo. Komoro Distillery stands at the foot of Mount Asama, an active volcano, at an altitude of around 910 metres. According to the distillery, the clear air, the large seasonal temperature differences and the pure water gradually give the spirit in the cask its character. Yet the distillery does not simply leave things to nature. At each stage, from fermentation and distillation to maturation and quality control, it has checked the daily changes as it searches for the aromas and finish unique to this place.
The “three years” matter. Under EU rules, a spirit cannot be called whisky unless it has been matured in casks for at least three years. In Japan, too, the voluntary standard of the industry body requires at least three years of cask maturation in the country for the label “Japanese whisky”. This release is therefore also a milestone: the first time this new distillery can put its name to a full-fledged single malt.
A maker carrying on the philosophy of Dr Jim Swan
Production is led by Ian Chang, master blender and distiller. His foundation is the thinking of the late Dr Jim Swan, known for his work in building distilleries around the world: respect for nature, a scientific perspective, and trust in the instinct that comes from long experience. Chang says this bottle is not only a first single malt but the beginning of a long journey. It is the first step in a challenge to make a whisky that truly reflects the nature of Komoro.
Details of the flavour, the bottle design and the sales method have not yet been announced. They are due to be revealed gradually on a dedicated website ahead of the release.
How to enjoy it in Europe
As this is a limited first release, it is not yet clear whether it will reach Europe or in what quantities. If you are interested, it is worth keeping an eye on the distillery’s official social media accounts and dedicated website for tasting notes and sales information. The first bottle from a new Japanese distillery often draws attention from collectors as a sign of what the distillery is aiming for. If you do get hold of one, try a small amount neat first. Then add a few drops of water and compare how the malty sweetness and aromas typical of a young spirit open up. You could also compare how a young Japanese malt matured in the cool climate of the highlands differs from a Scotch of the same age, which is part of the pleasure of this particular bottle.
Sources
- PR TIMES, “Three years after the first distillation in 2023: Komoro Distillery’s first single malt, KOMORO ORIGIN, is born”
Sources
This article was written by The Sake Wire editorial team, summarising the public sources listed above. Images are our own.
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