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If you live in Miyagi and are a lover of alcohol, there's a good chance you've experienced the free Miyagikyo Distillery guided tour
When I asked people about this comprehensive experience course, they said it was quite common
"Oh, I went there many years ago. It was great."
I myself have only been there for over 10 years, and all I remember is that it was a great place
So, I went to Miyagikyo Distillery while searching for memories from the past!
I love drinking whiskey but I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not good enough to talk about it to others, so I'd like to briefly explain the greatness of Miyagikyo Distillery
Miyagikyo Distillery is located at 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Miyagikyo Distillery is located deep in the mountains of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, on the way to Sakunami Onsen
As the name suggests, the distillery is located in Miyagikyo, a naturally rich area sandwiched between the Shinkawa and Hirosegawa rivers
So why is there a distillery here? Well, it is said that the late Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, visited this place, Miyagikyo, in May 1967, drew water from the clear stream of Shinkawa River, said, "Hey, bring me some whiskey," poured the whiskey into a glass, and drank some water mixed with river water. He was so astonished by the pure, refined taste that he decided to build a factory in Sendai, following on from Yoichi in Hokkaido
It was like a fairy tale encounter
It is easy to imagine that the feelings of the late Masayoshi, who had been searching all over Tohoku until then, were immeasurable
First, check in at the visitor center!
When you arrive at Miyagikyo Distillery, first check in at the visitor center
If there is availability, you can visit the free course on the day
For groups, it may be difficult to make a reservation on the day, so please make sure to make your reservation by the day before
Let's go on a distillery tour!
Since I was alone that day, I was able to easily enter the tour course
A guide will always accompany you on the free tour
We've just started, but did you notice anything when you looked at this photo?
Yes, there are no above ground power lines within the distillery
This is because when the late Masataka Taketsuru started construction of the Miyagikyo Distillery, he said, "We will not destroy the landscape, but will work in harmony with nature."
That's why I thought, "It's so neat and all the buildings blend into the landscape."
This shows how much the late Masataka Taketsuru wanted to coexist with nature
Now we are finally at the distillery facility, managed by the latest computers!
The first thing you see when you enter the distillery is the central control room. Photography is prohibited here, so there are no photos to show, but it's exactly like the rows of monitors you see in fire stations or TV dramas
24The distillery is monitored around the clock, and it is thanks to this control room that high-quality whiskey can be produced
Next to the latest computer control facility is the preparation building!
This is where the mashing and fermentation process takes place before the whiskey is distilled, and is managed by the latest computers from the central control room we visited earlier
The a sugar content 13 , is transferred to a fermentation tank, where yeast is added and fermented for 727-8 %, which is then moved on to the distillation process.
The biggest difference between Yoichi Distillery and Miyagikyo Distillery is the pot stills! Let's head to the distillation building!
The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly this pot still
In fact, the shape of this pot still is different between Yoichi and Miyagikyo
Yoichi uses a straight head type, which is known for producing aromatic and powerful malt, while Miyagikyo uses a bulge (ball) type, which passes steam through pipes running through the bottom of the pot still and inside the kettle, and distills slowly at a temperature of about 130°C, which is lower than that of direct coal-fired distillation
Miyagikyo Malt is made using equipment and methods that are the polar opposite of those used in Yoichi
Its gorgeous, fruity aroma and easy-to-drink, mellow taste are likely to further expand the base of whiskey fans
When you leave the distillery building, you'll see a strange tree growing behind the distillery building
This is not a photograph, a shadow, soot, or ash
Apparently, microorganisms reacting with alcohol are what turn the wood black
I wasn't able to get close, but I was amazed at the power of nature
We are now heading to the second half of the tour, a storage facility that is sure to be a great photo spot!
Well, when I see this picture, I get excited
I want to live here now
Yes, the finished whiskey will sleep here for a long time
The inside of the storehouse is cool, and the rich aroma evokes an indescribable sense of exhilaration
You can really feel that the words of the late Masataka Taketsuru, "Whiskey is nurtured by nature," still hold true today
To be honest, I'd love to take a barrel home with me
And finally, it's time for tasting and shopping in the guest hall!!
At the end, you can enjoy a tasting in the guest hall
three types of wine were available for free tasting: Miyagikyo, Super Nikka Rare Old, and Apple Wine
I was driving so I couldn't sample the drinks, but in order to do so I was given a thorough tasting lecture, and they even provided carbonated drinks, Miyagikyo water, and ice for free, so it was truly a complete experience
Ah, I wanted to drink
Don't worry if you can't sample whiskey. Apple juice and tea are also available for minors and drivers!
Finish off with some shopping。
Miyagikyo Distillery has a shop in the guest hall, so you can of course do some shopping there
The biggest feature is that you can purchase various types of whiskey at list price, even though prices have risen due to the recent popularity of whiskey, and you can also purchase single malts that are exclusive to Miyagikyo
If you're lucky, you may be able to purchase rare varieties that you won't find on the market at regular price, but that's not always the case
summary
Would the entire course, including tastings, take about 45 minutes?
First of all, it's rich in nature, and I honestly wonder if it's really only a 30-minute drive from Sendai Station
Miyagikyo, sandwiched between the Shinkawa and Hirosegawa rivers, is often shrouded in mist in the mornings, and its abundant nature makes it the perfect place for making whiskey
It's a great place for family trips too
This is a great place for people who want a change of atmosphere and a way to refresh their minds
The tour and parking are free. I've said it many times before, but it was the best place
second in Japan in terms of per capita whiskey consumption, after Tokyo .
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
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