On Saturday, August 20, 2022, "Whisky Summit at Nishi-Karuizawa 2022" was held in Nishi-Karuizawa!
The event is organized by Crea Life Partners Inc., the company behind Dear WHISKY, and it brings together whisky makers (producers), connectors (providers), and consumers (enthusiasts) to fully discuss the charm of whisky. The venue is located in the MMoP area, where the former Mercian Karuizawa Distillery stood, now home to STEAK HOUSE Feu. It was here that the "Karuizawa" whisky was once produced.
This event report shares the highlights of the day. Even if you couldn’t attend, be sure to read this article and enjoy "Whisky Summit at Nishi-Karuizawa 2022" with us!
This event invites luxurious guests, bringing together whisky makers, connectors, and consumers to fully explore the charm of whisky. With Japanese whisky now celebrating nearly 100 years of history and gaining global recognition, it serves as an opportunity to discuss its appeal. The venue, Miyota, was chosen for its connection to Karuizawa whisky.
| Date and Time | Saturday, August 20, 2022, 15:00-17:00 (Doors open 30 minutes before) |
| Place | MMoP "STEAK HOUSE Feu" |
| Organizer | Crea Life Partners Inc. / Dear WHISKY® |
| Participants | Limited to 30 people |
On the day of the event, around 50 people of various age groups, including children, attended. Originally, the event was planned for 30 people, but due to high interest, the number of attendees was increased. In addition to local residents, many people came from as far as the Kanto region and Kyushu. The attendees ranged from whisky enthusiasts to those who were new to whisky. The event saw whisky lovers, "consumers," as the central focus, alongside "makers" involved in whisky production and "connectors" such as bar and restaurant owners. The atmosphere was casual, and the event proceeded without formality.
The actual situation of the event that was held
The guests of the Whisky Summit at Nishi-Karuizawa 2022 were able to come to the event with a number of gorgeous guests.
Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru: Representative of the Taketsuru Product Research Institute/Advisor to The Japan Scotland Association
First, we had the special guest, Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru. He is the representative of Taketsuru Product Research Institute and an advisor to The Japan Scotland Association. He spent his childhood in Yoichi, Hokkaido, with his grandparents, Masataka Taketsuru and Rita, the founders of Nikka Whisky. After working at Nikka, he now serves as an advisor for numerous companies, specializing in branding and product development. During the event, he shared insights into the 100-year history of Japanese whisky from the unique perspective of the Taketsuru family.
Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa, the 19th generation of the Tokugawa clan
Next, representing the enthusiasts, we had Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa, the 19th head of the Tokugawa family, who once served as the shogun of the Edo Shogunate. He has published numerous books as an international political and economic commentator, drawing on his experiences living in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He is also well known as a whisky enthusiast, spending summers in Karuizawa. He shared with us the surprising connections between whisky and figures from Japanese political history, as well as the brands they favored, offering a unique perspective on how to enjoy whisky.
Ms. Ola Lopatowska has been involved in the Scotch whisky industry for many years
Representing the makers, we had Ms. Ola Lopatowska. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, she has been involved in the Scotch whisky industry for many years as a professional in bottling and sales. Before whisky reaches our hands, the critical process of "bottling" takes place. She shared insights into this fascinating process, as well as the "bottling service" that allows individuals to bottle their own cask-strength whisky. Additionally, she hosted a tasting event featuring samples of cask-strength whisky brought from Scotland.
Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki: the master of Bar REM
Next, as the representative of the connectors, we had Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki, the master of Bar REM in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. A former student of Mr. Hisashi Kishi, the former president of the Nippon Bartenders’ Association, he offers a collection of over 8,000 bottles of whisky and 400 bottles of bourbon. On the day of the event, he set up a temporary bar, providing tasting whiskies and sharing his expertise as a specialist.
Mr. Koichi Honda, the moderator
Finally, the moderator was Mr. Koichi Honda. He is the Director of the MMoP Project Promotion Office at Amana Inc., and he supported the organization of this event.
| 14:30 | Doors Open, welcome drinks and appetizers served |
| 15：00 | Opening Moderator: Greetings from Mr. Koichi Honda Greetings from Crea Life Partners Inc. CEO Shotaro Kudo Keynote Speech：”100 Years of Japanese Whisky – Masataka Taketsuru’s 100 Years” Cheers Whisky Roundtable Discussion by Ms. Ola Lopatowska, Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa, Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru, Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki |
| 17：00 | Free conversation Bottling service tasting and spot sale |
The venue, STEAK HOUSE Feu, is divided into indoor and terrace seating areas. Upon arrival, participants were first guided to the terrace, where they could enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Asama and the surrounding nature. Additionally, they had the opportunity to view the exhibits of the Asama International Photo Festival 2022 PHOTO MIYOTA. The terrace was stocked with champagne, non-alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, sandwiches, and desserts, allowing participants to mingle and chat happily while enjoying their drinks.
Welcome drink
At 3:00 PM, participants were escorted to their indoor seats. As the event drew nearer, there was a palpable sense of anticipation, with everyone eagerly awaiting what was to come.
Many people gathered from the very beginning of the opening
The venue was set with whisky tasting glasses arranged across the center tables, a screen at the front, a speaker's podium, and a pop-up bar where Mr. Hashiwaki stood. The interior, featuring wood and glass, created an open, airy atmosphere, offering a stunning view of the beautiful nature of Miyota.
The temporary bar was lined with many tasting glasses
First, moderator Koichi Honda spoke about the purpose of the event, the deep connection between the venue and whisky mentioned earlier, and the Karuizawa Distillery.
Next, Mr. Shotaro Kudo, CEO of Crea Life Partners Inc., the organizer of the event, introduced the thoughts behind the event and the media "Dear WHISKY" operated by the company.
Mr. Shotaro Kudo talks about his thoughts on the event
The keynote speech by the first speaker, Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru, will begin immediately. Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru is the father of Japanese whisky and the grandson of Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky.
The keynote speech began
Japanese whisky will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023. In addition to the story of the 100-year history of Japanese whisky and the realization of Masataka's ideal formation, he told us many valuable stories such as the back story of the Taketsuru family, which only Kotaro knows, the teachings of his grandparents, Masataka and Rita, and images and videos that are not available to the general public. Everyone who likes whisky knows "Massan". The interest of the participants was high, and it was an important lecture to lead to the next 100 years of Japanese whisky.
A collection of precious Taketsuru bottles
It's time for a toast! Of course, toast with whisky. It is named after the Longmorn Distillery, where Masataka Taketsuru trained in Scotland, and is "Longmorn 16-Year-Old". The toast will be given by Ms. Ola Lopatowska, who came to Japan from Scotland for this occasion. While distributing the toasts, Mr. Hashiwaki, the owner of Bar REM, explained about Longmorn.
Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki explaining the 16-Year-Old of Longmorn
There was also a greeting from President Kamata of CERCLE, who provided the venue. And the toast is the Scottish style "Slainte mhath!"
Scottish toast "Slainte mhath!"
Next, it's time for the whisky roundtable.
Four guests having a roundtable discussion over whisky
Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa, the representative of the enthusiasts, Mr. Ola Lopatowska, the representative of the makers, and Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru, the special guest, took the stage. In addition, Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki, the representative of the connectors, stood at the temporary bar and supported the proceedings as a whisky expert.
First of all, it was a story about the relationship between Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa and Karuizawa. Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa has spent the summer months in his Kyu-Karuizawa villa since he was a child. After that, he told us various stories, such as the story of the relatives of Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa and the story of a young Iehiro witness when former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and Pele were playing tennis in the Kyu-Karuizawa.
Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa talks about the relationship between Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa and Karuizawa
In honor of Karuizawa, Mr. Hashiwaki brought the whisky "Karuizawa 15-Year-Old (commonly known as Ekbo Bottle)" for this event. The venue this time, MMoP, was originally Mercian's Karuizawa Distillery. The Karuizawa distillery closed 10 years ago, so the whisky "Karuizawa" is still traded at a high price because of its rare value.
"Karuizawa" whisky specially brought by Mr. Masahiko Hashiwaki
The "Karuizawa 15-Year-Old" was tasted by Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa, Mr. Kotaro Taketsuru, and Ms. Ola Lopatowska. Next, everyone at the venue tasted the current "Old Parr", which is said to have been loved by Tsuneo Matsudaira, the great-grandfather of Mr. Iehiro Tokugawa. Snacks to go with the whisky are also provided, and you can proceed to the next with a drink in hand. The speakers tasted a special display of "Old Parr" from 35 years ago.
Bottle of Old Parr
Next, Ms. Ola Lopatowska from Scotland spoke with Ms. Tomohiro Makio, Head of Whisky Cask Investment Business at Crea Life Partners Inc., about the bottling situation in Scotland.
Some of you may be wondering, "Why are the "makers" of whisky not the distillers?"
Dear WHISKY's idea of whisky makers includes distilleries that actually produce the unblended whiskies and bottlers who use the unblended whiskies for bottling. Ms. Ola Lopatowska belongs to the latter category, and is also developing whisky as an asset and bottling services that allow individuals to become bottlers together with Crea Life Partners Inc. In other words, they are the "creators" who create various ways to enjoy whisky. Ms. Ola Lopatowska introduced the actual bottling process and the bottling halls in Scotland, which are not open to the public, to the audience together with her interpreter, Ms. Fujimaki.
This is the story of how whisky came to us, but it is the first time we have heard it. Many visitors listened with interest to the huge casks lined up in the bottling hall and carefully bottled by professionals.
She is talking about the bottling situation
After that, it's time for a chat. With whisky, champagne and other alcoholic beverages in hand, customers actively interacted with each other. There was also a tasting of the unblended whisky that Ms. Ola Lopatowska brought from Scotland for the occasion. All cask strength is extracted directly from the cask. All of the unblended whisky can only be purchased on this day, and it seemed to be a great success.
Tasting of unblended whiskies
That is all for the event report of the Whisky Summit at Nishi-Karuizawa 2022.
The Whisky Summit will continue to be held regularly in 2023 and beyond. This event, the first of its kind, was attended by many whisky lovers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It was an important kick-off for the next 100 years of Japanese whisky, transcending the differences in positions such as "makers," "connecters," and "consumers" and expanding the circle of whisky as a point of contact, creating new ways to enjoy whisky such as asset management and art.
