Celebrate with a glass of Japanese whiskey as this year marks the 100th anniversary of whiskey production in Japan. Japanese whiskey has come a long way since its inception in 1923, mastering European production methods and traversing a unique commercial history. In recent years, Japanese whiskey has gained global recognition, leading to shortages of longer-aged varieties and prompting major distillers to increase production and the establishment of new whiskey distilleries. So, why is Japanese whiskey so popular, and what sets it apart from other whiskeys? Let's take a closer look at the history, production methods, and unique characteristics of Japanese whiskey.   Whiskey production in Japan began at the Yamazaki Distillery in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, in 1923, at the behest of Shinjiro Torii, founder of Suntory. The first domestically produced whiskey, Suntory Shirofuda, was launched in 1929, and demand for Japanese whiskey rose in line with economic growth. However, sh...