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Everything you need to know about Chugoku Juzo Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Togouchi 15 Year Old Premium Blended Whisky£129.99 Inc VAT -
Togouchi 9 Year Old Premium Blended Whisky£69.99 Inc VAT -
Togouchi 18 Year Old Japanese Blended Whisky£169.99 Inc VAT -
Togouchi Single Cask Blended Whisky Marsala£699.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Chugoku Juzo, Japan. Founded in 1918.
Japanese Precision with a Slight Twist
If you’re looking at Chugoku Jozo, you’re stepping into a slightly different corner of Japanese whisky. It doesn’t follow the same path as big names like Yamazaki or Nikka. Instead, it does things its own way — and that’s part of the appeal.
Based in Hatsukaichi, Chugoku Jozo has been around since 1918, originally focusing on sake and shochu. Whisky came later. And even then, it didn’t start in the typical way.
For years, the brand behind it — Togouchi — used imported Scotch and Canadian whisky, blending and ageing it in Japan. Not in traditional warehouses either, but in a tunnel. Yes, a railway tunnel. It sounds unusual, but the stable temperature and humidity actually work in its favour.
More recently, they’ve built the Sakurao Distillery, bringing proper distillation in-house. So now you’ve got a mix of tradition, experimentation, and a bit of practicality all working together.
Flavour Profile:
 |
 |
 |
| Fruity | Malty / Cereal | Oaky / Woody |
Chugoku Jozo whiskies (especially Togouchi releases) tend to be clean, balanced, and easy to approach, with less weight than some Scotch styles.
Chugoku Jozo is known for producing whiskies that are light, smooth, and quietly complex. You’ll often find:
- Fresh orchard fruit notes like apple and pear
- A soft malty base that keeps things grounded
- A clean finish with subtle oak and gentle spice
They’re not heavy or smoky. Instead, they lean towards balance and drinkability — something Japanese whisky tends to do well.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Malt / Biscuit / Toast |
 |
Apple / Pear |
 |
Honey |
|
Oak / Wood Spice |
Popular Bottlings & Core Expressions
Here are the key releases you’ll most likely come across:
- Togouchi Premium Blended Whisky
Light and smooth. A mix of imported and Japanese-aged whisky. Easy to drink. - Togouchi 9 Year Old
A bit more depth. Slightly richer with more oak influence. - Togouchi 12 Year Old
More rounded and refined. Balanced sweetness with gentle spice. - Sakurao Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Produced at Sakurao Distillery. More character, with a stronger link to Japanese distillation.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Chugoku Juzo, Sakurao Distillery
Address: 1 Chome-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan
 Open in maps |
 https://www.sakuraodistillery.com |
 +81 829-32-2111 |
Visitor Centre
- Visitor Centre: Yes (Sakurao Distillery)
- Opening Times: Typically 10:00 – 17:00 (may vary seasonally)
- Tours: Available with booking
If you’re in the Hiroshima area, it’s worth a visit. You’ll get a closer look at how they’ve moved from blending to full production.
Ownership History
Current Owner:
- Chugoku Jozo Co., Ltd.
Previous Ownership:
- Founded in 1918 as a sake and shochu producer
- Expanded into whisky blending in the late 20th century
- Established Sakurao Distillery in 2018 to produce in-house whisky
Unlike many Scotch distilleries, the story here is more modern. It’s about adapting rather than preserving a single long-standing method.
Distillery Facts
Overview
- Founded: 1918
- Location: Hatsukaichi
- Type: Distillery / drinks producer
- Known for: Japanese whisky (Togouchi, Sakurao), liqueurs, sake
What Chugoku Jozo Is
- A long-established Japanese drinks company that moved into whisky production more recently.
- Produces both:
- Blended Japanese whisky (notably Togouchi)
- Single malt whisky (under the Sakurao name)
Whisky Brands
- Togouchi Whisky
- Blended whisky (often using a mix of Japanese and imported spirit)
- Known for its unique ageing method (see below)
- Sakurao Single Malt
- Fully distilled and matured in Japan
- Represents the company’s modern whisky identity
Unique Ageing Method (Key Differentiator)
- Some Togouchi whiskies are aged in a disused railway tunnel near the distillery.
- This provides:
- Stable temperature (~14°C)
- High humidity (~80%)
- Result: a consistent, gentle maturation environment unlike traditional warehouses.
Style & Profile
Togouchi (Blended):
- Light and clean
- Subtle fruit (apple, citrus)
- Mild spice and soft oak
Sakurao (Single Malt):
- More structured
- Citrus, malt sweetness
- Slight coastal influence (due to Hiroshima location)
- Balanced oak and spice
Positioning
- Positioned as a modern Japanese whisky producer
- Appeals to:
- Entry-to-mid-level Japanese whisky buyers
- Customers interested in non-traditional maturation
- Those exploring beyond major names like Suntory or Nikka
Important Clarification
- “Chugoku Juzo” is a common misspelling — the correct name is Chugoku Jozo.
- It is:
- A producer/distillery, not just a brand
- Responsible for both blended and single malt whisky
Chugoku Juzo Whisky to Buy
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