"Whisky Galore" February issue, the cover feature comprehensively covers the 9 distilleries on the whisky mecca of Islay Island!

For Whisky Fans! The latest issue thoroughly dissects the charm of Islay Island's whiskies.

Whisky Bunka Kenkyuusho Co., Ltd. (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Mamoru Tsuchiya), the only whisky-specialized magazine regularly published in Japan, will release the February issue (Vol.42) of 'Whisky Galore' on January 12, 2024. It is available for purchase at the Whisky Bunka Kenkyuusho online shop, nationwide bookstores, and online bookstores such as Amazon.

Headline Feature: "Deciphering the Present of Islay Island's Whisky, the Holy Land of Whisky"

The whiskies from Islay Island, which have been leading the current global single malt boom, have long been given a unique category known as "Islay Malts." Despite being a small island, it currently hosts nine distilleries, with several new plans announced, indicating a likely acceleration of its momentum. In issue 42, we reintroduce all nine operational distilleries, delving not only into their individual characteristics and differences but also exploring the latest developments such as each company's sustainability efforts and strategies for addressing concerns about the shortage of peat malt. Additionally, Editor-in-Chief Mamoru Tsuchiya conducted a comparative tasting of eight Islay Malts, providing insight into their intriguing aspects.

Featured Distilleries: Bowmore, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Kilchoman, Ardnahoe.

Second Feature: "Whisky from Northern Ireland"

Among the world's top five whiskies, Irish whiskey has shown remarkable growth in recent years. In particular, we provide an overview of the whiskies from Northern Ireland, where two big brands were successively introduced from last year to this year. We explain the latest trends in the industry and catalogically introduce whiskies from nine brands, including those not yet imported to Japan.

Distillery Reports and Editor-in-Chief Interviews Abound

In celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2023, Japanese whisky took its first steps, and we promptly covered the recently renovated "Suntory Yamazaki Distillery." We report on its intriguing details. Additionally, we introduce whisky tourism at the Moonlight River Distillery (Yamagata), which was established last fall, and unique tours offered by the Hachigo Distillery (Ibaraki) and Asaka Distillery (Fukushima).

In the Editor-in-Chief interview, we spoke with key figures from two brands highly popular in Japan: Wild Turkey, a bourbon whisky with enduring popularity, and Kyrö, a Finnish brand crafting 100% rye whisky

Bibliographic Information:

• Magazine Title: Whisky Galore February Issue (Vol.42)
• Release Date: January 12, 2024 (Friday)
• Price: ¥1,320 (Including Tax)
• Retail Outlets: Whisky Bunka Kenkyuusho Online Shop, Nationwide Bookstores, Online Bookstores such as Amazon

Established in 2017, "Whisky Galore" is Japan's only regular publication dedicated to whisky. Edited by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a whisky critic with over 30 years of experience in the industry, the magazine focuses on a wide range of distilled spirits, including gin, shochu, rum, tequila, and, of course, whiskies from around the world. Tsuchiya provides in-depth coverage with rich visuals, exploring the forefront of distillery craftsmanship, conveying the thoughts of the makers, and sharing the stories and latest information from the distilleries. Known for its quality unique to specialized publications, Whisky Galore is enjoyed by both general readers and professionals in the bar and beverage distribution industry. *Note: Whisky Galore translates to "Whisky in Abundance" or "Whisky Galore," reflecting the magazine's focus on a wealth of whisky-related content.

[Publication Details]

• Frequency: Bimonthly (Odd months), 12th day of the month
• Size: A4 Trim Size
• Number of Pages: 128-136 pages
• Editor and Publisher: Mamoru Tsuchiya
• Publishing House: Whisky Bunka Kenkyuusho (Whisky Culture Research Institute)
• Website: https://scotchclub.org/whiskygalore/

Images featured in the press release are intended solely for use related to the content of this publication. Any usage beyond this scope or secondary usage is kindly discouraged.

About the Whisky Culture Research Institute

The Whisky Culture Research Institute is a dissemination organization dedicated to the culture of whisky, led by whisky critic Mamoru Tsuchiya. Since its establishment in March 2001, the institute has engaged in extensive research to deepen its understanding of whisky and alcohol cultures worldwide, focusing on information gathering and dissemination. Collaborating with industry professionals, the institute has planned and executed initiatives aimed at fostering whisky enthusiasts, educating consumers, and promoting the spread of whisky culture.

Key activities of the institute include the editing and publishing of Japan's only specialized whisky magazine, "Whisky Galore," the planning and operation of events such as whisky festivals, and the initiation of certification programs like the "Whisky Connoisseur Certification Exam" that assesses knowledge and appraisal abilities related to whisky. They also organize the "Whisky Proficiency Test," which tests knowledge essential for enjoying whisky. Since 2019, the institute has been conducting the "Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)," the only spirits competition in Japan that evaluates whiskies and spirits from around the world.

Mamoru Tsuchiya - Profile of the Representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute

Born in 1954 in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Mamoru Tsuchiya graduated from the Faculty of Literature at Gakushuin University. After working as a weekly magazine reporter, he moved to the UK in 1987. It was during his coverage in Scotland that he first encountered Scotch Single Malt and became deeply fascinated with Scotch whisky. Upon returning to Japan, he established himself as a prominent whisky critic, earning recognition as one of the "Five Whisky Writers of the World" by Highland Distillers in 1998.

Tsuchiya served as a consultant for whisky authenticity during the NHK morning drama series "Massan," which aired from September 2014 to March 2015. He has authored numerous books, including "The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" and "The Complete Guide to Blended Whisky" (Shogakukan), "Masataka Taketsuru and Whisky" (Tokyo Shoseki), "The Complete Whisky Bible" (Natsume-sha), "Whisky as Business Culture: Why Luxury Whisky Sells for 200 Million Yen" (KADOKAWA), and "Japanese Whisky as Business Wisdom" (Shodensha).

His recent works include "Complete Edition: The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" (Shogakukan), "Mamoru Tsuchiya's Whisky Thousand and One Nights (Volumes 1-5)," and "Japanese Whisky Yearbook (Distillery Annual)" (Whisky Culture Research Institute). In addition to serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the bimonthly magazine "Whisky Galore," Tsuchiya is the Chairman of the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) and the Executive Chairman of Japanese Whisky Day.