Producer
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.
- Kurayoshi · Tottori Prefecture · Japan
- Since 1910
- 1 product
The story
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 recognition
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).
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.
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Kurayoshi
- Categories
- Japanese whisky
- single malt
- pure malt
- blended whisky
- umeshu (plum liqueur)
- Japanese gin
- shochu
- liqueur
- beer
- Raw materials
- malt
- cereals (grain) for blended whiskies
- ume (plums) for umeshu
- Casks and ageing vessels
- Mizunara (Japanese oak)
- Sakura (cherry wood)
- Sherry cask
- Ex-bourbon / American oak
- Wine barrels
- Representative products
- Matsui Umeshu Whisky Umeshu
- The Matsui Mizunara Cask
- The Matsui Sakura Cask
- Kurayoshi Sherry Cask
- Kurayoshi 12 Years
- The San-in
What makes it distinctive
- Spirits distilled and marketed from Kurayoshi Distillery (Matsui Shuzo) using spring water from Mt. Daisen.
- Range includes single malt, pure malt, blended whiskies and whisky-based umeshu.
- Experimental use of mizunara and sakura casks alongside sherry and ex-bourbon for finishes and post-ripening.
- International recognition: Matsui expressions have received awards and high ratings in international competitions.
- In-house production launched with distilling license in recent years and distribution across numerous foreign markets.