Hida Takayama Distillery(Takayama)

history

A distillery with a story that connects the past, present and future

The former Takane Elementary School is located in the lush Takane area, overlooking Mt. Norikura to the north and Mt. Ontake to the south. It has been watching over children since it opened, but in 2007 it was closed due to a decline in population. However, this school is a treasure to the local people. Even after it was closed, the school is regularly cleaned, and the messages written by the children on the blackboard on their “last day of elementary school” have not been erased for many years and are still preserved to this day. Guided by the “feeling to protect treasures” that dwells in the area, and as a result of a combination of fate and coincidence, the former Takane Elementary School has begun a new path as Hida Takayama Distillery. Barrels are stored in each classroom, and a malt mill for grinding malt is installed in the hallway leading from the school building to the gymnasium. The distiller is enshrined on the gymnasium stage. With the belief in mind that “we will make timeless whiskey in a place that has held many thoughts from the past to the present,” we pursue the creation of high-quality craft whiskey in the beautiful Hida Takayama area, where history woven by humans and nature are in harmony.

water

A place rich in nature and blessed with water, the lifeblood of whiskey

The Takane region, where the Hida Takayama Distillery is located, is a humid area that is prone to thick fog all year round, making it an ideal environment for storage and aging, which allows the whiskey’s aroma to blossom. The area is also known as the source of the Hida River, a first-class river, and boasts an abundant amount of water. The clear water filtered through the Northern Alps, including Mount Norikura and Mount Ontake, gives the whiskey a mellow, rich and elegant flavor. The Takane region is rich in nature and blessed with water, which is the lifeblood of whiskey, which is what allows it to achieve a rich flavor like no other.

Aging barrel

“HIDA BARREL” – High-quality barrels made in Hida Takayama

Hida Takayama Distillery mainly uses first-fill bourbon barrels, but also American oak barrels called “HIDA BARREL” manufactured by Nissin Mokko, a furniture manufacturer in Hida Takayama. HIDA BARREL is a domestic barrel made by craftsmen in the Hida region based on the idea that “good whiskey comes from good barrels.” Its characteristics are its beautiful appearance and high precision. It is known as a high-quality barrel that can be used for a long time because it is intricately assembled using bending wood technology, so it is sturdy and precise with no gaps. HIDA BARREL is a one-of-a-kind that combines the skills of Hida’s artisans with the breath of the forest and can be enjoyed in the form of whiskey.

Whisky making

Aiming to make whiskey entirely made in Gifu Prefecture

At Hida Takayama Distillery, we do not only use imported malt and aging barrels to make whiskey, but aim to produce “All Gifu Prefecture Whiskey” that uses ingredients made in Gifu Prefecture, making use of the prefecture’s abundant natural resources. The whiskey is made from barley produced in the prefecture and pure Hida water, and is aged in “HIDA BARREL”, a barrel made by the skills of Hida’s artisans. We are proud that “All Gifu Prefecture Whiskey”, which is linked to the local story from ingredients to aging, can be a craft whiskey unique to the land of wood and clear streams.

website
https://www.whisky-hida.com/
tel
0577-32-0016
address

164-2 Shimonomukae, Takane-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture　〒509-3413

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