Alcohol tasting workshops
Experience the richness of Japanese spirits
While sake is by far the most well-known Japanese alcohol in the world, whisky is a close second, followed by beer. But there are many other lesser-known specialties such as gin, whose demand has exploded since the 2000s, or other typical spirits like umeshu, a plum liqueur, and shōchū, a distillate of barley or sweet potato.
Our tasting offers
We suggest you organize a tasting session at a wine shop , a brewery or in a bar depending on availability and your tastes.
Depending on the location of the tasting, you can get there by public transport or taxi, although we recommend being accompanied by a guide who can drive you to and from the tasting and act as an interpreter. If the tasting is only conducted in Japanese, a guide will accompany you.
A tasting lasts between 1 and 2 hours . Depending on the establishment, we may be forced to prohibit the presence of minors ( persons under 20 years of age in Japan ) even if they do not consume alcohol.
For inspiration, here is a brief description of the alcoholic beverages available for tasting:
Sake
Called nihonshu in Japan, sake is a rice wine that is brewed and then filtered. It is the most emblematic alcoholic beverage of the archipelago. Served chilled, more rarely warm, it comes in dry or sweet varieties and has an alcohol content of around 15%.
Whiskey
From the 2000s onwards, Japanese whisky gained popularity, notably thanks to winning several international awards. Compared to Scotch whiskies, it tends to be smoother and more subtle.
Gin
The first Japanese gins were produced in Kyoto in the 2010s. Production quickly expanded to Okinawa and Hiroshima, offering a wide variety of flavors from the outset. Japanese gin is distinguished by its use of citrus fruits and herbs typical of the archipelago. This is AYUMI Voyage's recommendation.
Beer
Produced since the late 19th century using German techniques, Japanese beers are characterized by fine bubbles and very low bitterness, making them ideal for the intense summer heat. Craft beers have been enjoying a surge in popularity for several years.
Umeshu
Literally meaning “ume alcohol,” umeshu is an infusion of the ume fruit, a relative of the plum and apricot, in a liqueur such as brandy, whisky, or shōchū, along with sugar. The result is a syrupy, fruity liqueur that is drunk neat or mixed with soda water.
Shōchū
First produced in the 15th century and typical of the archipelago, shōchū is a liqueur made from wheat, barley, or sweet potato, and more rarely from rice, with an alcohol content between 25 and 40%. It is a classic of Japanese cuisine and is generally drunk neat, chilled, but sometimes diluted with water.
Q&A
What is the best place for an alcohol tasting?
Our partner wine merchants are located throughout the country, but especially in major cities like Kobe and Osaka. Depending on your itinerary, your advisors will be able to make tailored suggestions. For example, rural areas are home to a large number of sake breweries. You can then visit a brewery and enjoy a tasting.
I am a producer and would like to meet with professionals. Can you put us in touch?
Through our parent company, AOC France Co., Ltd., we can open doors to the world of alcohol in Japan for you. Contact us to discuss this further.
The little extra
Our team is passionate about the good life and quality products. We know the Japanese alcohol scene and can offer you exclusive tastings in unique settings.
