History

Kyoto Miyako Distillery is Kyoto’s first whisky distillery and is located in Kyotamba-cho, surrounded by mountains and close to the Yura River, an area known for Ayu fishing. The distillery has two types of pot stills, a straight-head and a bulge-type, each contributing to different flavor profiles and thus a wide spectrum of whisky types.

Production / Manufacturing

The distillery takes advantage of the highland climate around Kyotamba with large diurnal temperature variations, which accelerates cask aging and is considered essential to whisky production. Barrel aging benefits from the cool air and sharp temperature fluctuations, influencing the maturation time. The label designs on Kyoto Whisky and Kyoto Ginja (Nishijin-ori) are hand-applied by artisans, and the use of Nishijin-weave labels gives a distinctive, luxurious finish. In addition, traditional Japanese artisanal methods are used, along with the use of local raw materials in production.

Products / Whisky Series

• Kyoto Whisky Nishijin-ori Series (700ml) – Single Malt, 43% ABV.
• Kyoto Whisky AKA-OBI (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 40% ABV; a blend of malt and grain (blended whisky).
• Kyoto Whisky KURO-OBI (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 46% ABV; a blended whisky based on malt and grain, produced in a bourbon-like style and finished in bourbon casks.
• Kyoto Whisky MURASAKI-OBI (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 43% ABV; a blended whisky with malt and a rich, malty aroma and light smoky notes.
• Kyoto Whisky SHERRY CASK (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 43% ABV; a blended whisky finished in sherry casks with fruity notes.
• Kyoto Whisky MIZUNARA CASK (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 43% ABV; a blended whisky finished in Mizunara oak casks with vanilla and caramel notes and a warm, woody finish.
• Kyoto Single Malt Whisky (Nishijin-ori) – 700ml, 43% ABV; the first single malt from Kyoto Miyako Distillery, with two label designs (Hana-Temari and Shippō), featuring hand-applied Nishijin-ori labels and a special gift box design.
• Kyoto Highball Editions – AKA-OBI and MURASAKI-OBI Highball 350ml (7% ABV); highball variants that highlight the distillery's character.
• 200ml Gift Set – Kyoto Whisky 200ml 3-bottle set (Aka-obi, Kuro-obi and Murasaki-obi), each with their own ABV and overall presentation in Nishijin-ori labels.
• New products and releases: Kyoto Highball Can (Silver Award in WPA) and other award-winning variants such as KURO-OBI and MURASAKI-OBI have received international medals, which testifies to the distillery's ongoing international recognition.

Visits / Experiences

• Kyoto Whisky Tasting Bar in Gion, Kyoto: open weekdays and Saturdays from 15:00–23:00; free tastings of Kyoto Whisky and Kyoto Gin.
• Past events include tastings and trade-show activities (A-Price = tastings), giving visitors the opportunity to experience the products directly.

Philosophy

Kyoto Miyako Distillery follows a 4-H vision: HEART, HOME, HOSPITALITY and HAPPY. - HEART: Meticulous craftsmanship and quality products based on carefully selected ingredients. - HOME: Rooted in Kyoto and strives to be a representative company for the city. - HOSPITALITY: High service and hospitality inspired by tradition and Kyoto’s mindset. - HAPPY: Creating joy for employees, partners and customers through responsibility and collaboration.