Nozawa Onsen Distillery to Release Its First Single Malt Whisky in Winter 2026, Launches Teaser Site

Teaser site for Nozawa Onsen Distillery

Nozawa Onsen Distillery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nozawaonsen Village, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture; Representative: Richards Philip) has launched a teaser site for its upcoming new product—the release of a single malt whisky scheduled for winter 2026.

The site introduces the world of whisky crafted by Nozawa Onsen Distillery and the philosophy behind its creation, and will progressively deliver the latest updates on upcoming product details and release information.

This teaser site has been created as a platform to share, ahead of the whisky's release, the vision we are pursuing and the challenges embraced by our distillery.

Aiming for a New Whisky Experience

Since its opening, Nozawa Onsen Distillery has been steadily advancing in whisky production and maturation.

The whisky scheduled for release is a product nurtured over the past three years since the distillery's founding. Every step—from raw material selection and fermentation to distillation and maturation—has been carefully developed with meticulous attention. Leveraging the rich natural environment and terroir of Nozawaonsen Village, we aim to create a whisky that expresses the unique character only possible in this region.

Through the teaser site, we will share these stories behind the scenes and the journey of development leading up to the release.

About the Teaser Site

The newly launched teaser site features key visuals and messages symbolizing the whisky of Nozawa Onsen Distillery, offering visitors a glimpse into its world even before the full product reveal.

Going forward, we plan to sequentially release further details about the product, information on the release, and insights into the distillery's activities and whisky-making process.

Upcoming Plans

The teaser site will gradually unveil information about the whisky's characteristics, development background, bottle design, and more.

Additionally, we plan to announce details such as the official release date, sales methods, and special commemorative campaigns. We will continue to provide regular updates so that audiences can enjoy the unfolding journey toward the full reveal of our first single malt whisky.

※ Content and release schedule are subject to change.

Teaser Site

https://nozawaonsendistillery.jp/pages/whisky

About Nozawa Onsen Distillery

Preserving the village's heritage, reaching out to the world

Nozawa Onsen Distillery was established on December 15, 2022, in the heart of Nozawaonsen Village.

Our facility is housed in a renovated historic cannery that once supported the village's food culture. A place once dedicated to preserving food and sustaining winter life has now transformed into a distillery that captures the village's pure water and rich botanicals as fragrance, destined for the world.

Located just a few minutes’ walk from “Oyu,” a landmark of the village, the site features a tasting bar and gift shop where visitors can experience distillation equipment up close.

As a comprehensive facility, it captivates guests from around the world by allowing them to experience, through a single glass, the natural water cycle nurtured by the wilderness of Nozawaonsen.

Globally recognized water and craftsmanship

Selected award-winning gin botanicals

Our craft gin has won over 20 awards in international spirits competitions.

In 2023, all four of our gin entries achieved gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC 2023), one of the most prestigious and largest competitions in the world.

The clarity derived from the snowmelt water of Nozawaonsen and the delicate flavors crafted from local botanicals have now established a globally recognized standard.

Award-winning products can be viewed here

Next challenge: The release of single malt whisky in 2026

Currently, in addition to gin production, Nozawa Onsen Distillery is actively expanding its production of single malt whisky.

The distillery's raw spirits, quietly maturing through the cool climate of the village, are scheduled for release in 2026. Building on the botanical expertise and distillation techniques honed through gin production, we will now elevate these into the new form of whisky—continuing our mission to amaze the world from Nozawaonsen.