Raw materials
malt
cereals (grain) for blended whiskies
ume (plums) for umeshu
Producer
Matsui
Explore the spirits, production style and story of Matsui.
Matsui (Matsui Shuzo) is a Japanese spirits producer marketing whisky (including expressions under "The Matsui" / "Kurayoshi" labels), umeshu, gin, shochu and other liqueurs. It produces whisky at the Kurayoshi Distillery (Tottori) and offers a range that includes single malt, pure malt, blended whiskies and macerated products such as umeshu.
Japanese whisky
single malt
pure malt
blended whisky
umeshu (plum liqueur)
Japanese gin
shochu
liqueur
Producer range
Producer range Matsui
Spirit categories
Japanese whisky
single malt
pure malt
blended whisky
umeshu (plum liqueur)
Japanese gin
shochu
liqueur
beer
Representative products
Matsui Umeshu Whisky Umeshu
The Matsui Mizunara Cask
The Matsui Sakura Cask
Kurayoshi Sherry Cask
Kurayoshi 12 Years
The San-in
Casks and ageing vessels
Mizunara (Japanese oak)
Sakura (cherry wood)
Sherry cask
Ex-bourbon / American oak
Wine barrels
Distillation and production
Distillation and production
Production method
Production takes place at Kurayoshi Distillery using groundwater from Mt. Daisen; malt expressions are distilled in copper pot stills, with blending and finishing practices in various cask types. The company combines in-house distillation with national sourcing for some blends.
Distillation
Double distillation for malt expressions in copper pot stills at Kurayoshi Distillery; additional stills are used for gin and brandy according to commercial sources.
Ageing
Maturation in casks with subsequent finishing (post-ripening) in different cask types; use of ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, wine barrels and experiments with Japanese woods such as mizunara and sakura.
Producer history Matsui
Matsui Shuzo (Matsui Shuzo An Unlimited Partnership) has existed as an entity since 1910. Traditionally active in sake and shochu production, the company expanded into whisky by developing distillation capacity at Kurayoshi: it currently markets both spirits distilled in-house and expressions created also through blending with nationally sourced distillates. The modern range includes bottles matured in various cask types and specialties such as whisky-based umeshu.
Production philosophy
The stated company philosophy is to create “whisky to love” and to enhance local resources (notably spring water filtered from Mt. Daisen), carefully managing the aging process to offer variety and quality accessible to a broad audience.
Territory
Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture (Japan); products are marketed both in Japan and internationally (available in numerous countries).
Awards and recognitions
Documented examples: "Matsui Whisky Umeshu" won the Chairman's Trophy at the ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2023; the bottle "The Matsui Mizunara Cask" has received recognitions (e.g., mentions in the Whisky Bible and awards in international competitions).
Matsui
This producer is a useful reference point for enthusiasts looking for authentic spirits, distinctive production identity and a carefully selected online catalogue.
On this page you can discover the producer, understand its main categories and browse the products currently available for purchase.
Products from
Italy
Europe
USA, UK, Switzerland