TAKAZO is Reborn: A Gold-Winning Whisky That Rises from the Ashes
In the heart of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, a quiet revolution has begun—one that reaches back through the pages of history and looks boldly toward the future. After a 60-year silence, whisky flows once more from the stills of Meiri Shurui’s newly revived Takazo Distillery. And its very first creation, the one-year-aged “TAKAZO REBORN PLUM WINE CASK FINISH,” has already struck gold—earning a Gold Award in the Western Spirits Division at the prestigious Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2025 (TWSC).

A Dream Interrupted—and Revived
The story of Takazo Distillery is not just about whisky; it’s about persistence, legacy, and rebirth.
Back in 1952, Takazo Kato—great-grandfather of Meiri Shurui's current Executive Managing Director, Takahiro Kato—established a whisky distillery with a singular dream: to create Japanese whisky that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest. But fate had other plans. A devastating fire a decade later destroyed the distillery’s whisky license, halting production and silencing the dream.
For six decades, that dream lay dormant.
But Meiri Shurui didn’t rest. They channeled their expertise into sake, shochu, and gin—perfecting fermentation, developing custom yeast strains, and building technical prowess. Behind the scenes, the spirit of whisky-making never truly disappeared.
In 2022, history came full circle. The whisky license was reinstated. A new facility—TAKAZO DISTILLERY—was born, and with it, the dream of the Kato family was reborn too.
The Firstborn: “TAKAZO REBORN PLUM WINE CASK FINISH”
This debut release is no ordinary whisky. Aged for just one year, it already exhibits surprising depth and character thanks to innovative techniques: tripled yeast quantities, extended fermentation times, and maturation in casks that once held Hyakunen Umeshu, Meiri’s iconic “Hundred-Year Plum Wine.”
The result? A spirit that opens with a whisper of plum on the nose, delivers raisin-like sweetness on the palate, and finishes with a bold, spicy flourish. It’s a uniquely Japanese expression, grounded in tradition yet entirely new.
“Winning Gold for our very first release is more than an award—it’s a sign,” says Executive Managing Director Takahiro Kato.
“A sign that our vision resonates, and that our craftsmanship still matters. This is a moment shared by everyone who believed in bringing Takazo back to life.”

A Distillery Rooted in Water, Craft, and Innovation
Mito—known as the “City of Water”—provides the distillery with its most vital ingredient: mineral-rich underground water, used both in sake and whisky production. With its hot summers and cold winters, the area also creates ideal conditions for maturing whisky with character.
But terroir is only part of the story. At Takazo, it’s about craftsmanship at every level—from selecting barley and cultivating original yeast, to experimenting with bold cask combinations. In 2023, the team even developed their own whisky-specific yeast strain, a rare feat in Japan.
Their arsenal of casks includes bourbon, sherry, port, rum, and Japan’s revered mizunara oak. But the use of plum wine casks—infused with the essence of Hyakunen Umeshu—is what truly sets TAKAZO apart, creating a signature flavor rooted in local tradition.
What’s Next: TAKAZO Single Malt in 2026
The team isn’t slowing down. This year, they’re aging whisky using peated malt from Ibaraki and brewing with their proprietary yeast. All eyes are now on summer 2026, when “TAKAZO Single Malt” is scheduled to launch—a bolder expression that promises to push boundaries even further.
Current Lineup: The Spirit of TAKAZO
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TAKAZO PURE MALT PLUM WINE CASK FINISH
A mellow and expressive whisky with fruity sweetness and soft vanilla, drawn from casks that once held award-winning Hyakunen Umeshu.

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TAKAZO PURE MALT MIZUNARA CASK FINISH
A spiced, fragrant expression matured in first-fill mizunara oak, this release channels the soul of Japanese whisky tradition with a modern twist.

A New Chapter in Japanese Whisky
Takazo Distillery is more than a new name in the world of whisky—it’s a revival of a lost legacy, now brought to life through craftsmanship, innovation, and deep respect for tradition. With their first gold medal already secured, TAKAZO has announced its arrival—and the world is taking notice.
Keep your glass ready. The story of TAKAZO has just begun.
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