What makes Shizuoka breweries unique?

When it comes to Shizuoka Distillery, I believe its coolest aspects can be summarized into three points, each with a compelling story.

First, and most uniquely, they possess two stills with completely different 'personalities'.

Imagine a top chef with both a century-old cast iron pot and a state-of-the-art German non-stick pan in the kitchen, used for different dishes. Shizuoka operates in a similar fashion.

• One is called "K": This is an "antique", salvaged from the legendary Karuizawa Distillery, which has since closed down and whose whiskies now fetch astronomical prices. What's even more remarkable is that this still is directly heated by wood fire, a method almost unheard of in modern times. The whisky produced this way is exceptionally rich and robust in flavor, possessing a wild, vintage character.
• The other is called "W": This is a "modern elite", a classic Scottish-made still that uses steam for heating, offering stable and precise control. The whisky it produces is more elegant, delicate, and clean, with fresh floral and fruity notes.

With these two 'divine instruments', the distillery can blend new-make spirits of completely different styles, much like an artist's palette, to create an endless variety of flavors. So, when you drink Shizuoka whisky, you might sometimes find it powerful and at other times gentle – this is its greatest charm.

Second is the distillery owner's 'aficionado' background.

Taiko Nakamura, the owner of Shizuoka Distillery, is a super whisky enthusiast himself. Before establishing the distillery, his company imported craft spirits from all over the world. He essentially tasted the best of what the world had to offer and visited numerous top distilleries before deciding to build his dream distillery according to his own ideals. Therefore, Shizuoka, from its location and equipment to its brewing philosophy, embodies a 'knowledgeable' geek spirit, rather than purely commercial considerations.

Third is their pursuit of 'localization' or 'terroir'.

Although whisky-making is learned from Scotland, Shizuoka strives to create a distinct 'Shizuoka character'. They use a portion of Japanese-grown barley, and even locally sourced Shizuoka barley, as raw materials. The distillery is nestled deep in the mountains of Shizuoka (known as 'Oku-Shizuoka'), surrounded by pristine natural environment, and uses the soft water from the Abe River. This respect for terroir ensures that their whiskies are not merely Scottish replicas, but truly embody the soul of Shizuoka, Japan.

In simple terms: Under the guidance of a super whisky enthusiast, rooted in the beautiful mountains and waters of Shizuoka, they use a legendary antique and a modern high-achiever (the two stills) to craft unique whiskies that possess both vintage charm and modern aesthetics. This is what makes Shizuoka Distillery so captivating.