Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery, located in Shizuoka City, has launched a new premium tour experience called the "Tasting From the Cask Tour." The program lets visitors taste unfiltered, undiluted cask-strength whisky drawn directly from barrels inside the distillery's aging warehouse — a rare hands-on encounter with single malt at its most raw.
Cask-Strength Whisky Straight from the Warehouse
Inside the aging warehouse, staff sample whisky directly from two selected barrels in front of guests. Each visitor can taste two pours of approximately 10 ml each — cask-strength, with no filtration or dilution added. Surrounded by rows of barrels, guests can experience the distinct character each cask has developed over time.
Optional Hand-Fill Bottling
For an additional fee, guests who take a liking to one of the whiskies can fill their own bottle directly from the cask using a specialized tool called a "valinch." After bottling the spirit themselves, visitors finish the bottle with a handwritten label — creating a truly one-of-a-kind keepsake from the distillery.
Two Barrels Available for Tasting (as of June 1, 2026)
Cask No. 1653
- First Still: K (Steam Indirect Heating Still)
- Malt: Foreign barley
- Maturation: 6 years
- ABV: 63.9%
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Fresh aromas of green apple and pear, with herbaceous mint-like notes.
- Palate: Sweet and tart flavors of green apple and pear, a hint of spice, and a cereal nuttiness that follows.
- Finish: A clean, apple-peel sweetness with a lightly roasted, nutty close.
Cask No. 1562
- First Still: W (Wood-Fired Direct Flame Still)
- Malt: Foreign barley (peated)
- Maturation: 6 years
- ABV: 63.5%
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Pronounced peat smoke and rich sweetness, with light green apple in the background.
- Palate: Smoky and intensely sweet, transitioning to the crisp tartness of green apple and cereal.
- Finish: A long, smoky, sweet finish.
Note: Maturation age and ABV may vary depending on visit date. Available barrels are subject to change.
Tour Overview
| Tour Name | Tasting From the Cask Tour |
| Inclusions | Shizuoka Distillery guided tour (approx. 60 min) / Tasting of two cask-strength whiskies at 10 ml each (approx. 60 min) / Optional hand-fill bottling (additional fee, voluntary) |
| Price | ¥5,500 per person (tax included, includes ¥1,100 distillery tour fee) / Optional bottling: ¥7,700 per 200 ml bottle (tax included) |
| Duration | Approx. 120 minutes (free to leave after the tour ends) |
| Requirements | Open to guests 20 years of age or older. Those planning to drive a car, motorcycle, or bicycle are not eligible. |
| Reservations | Advance booking required via the official Shizuoka Distillery reservation site. Same-day spots may be available on a walk-in basis if space allows. |
| Schedule | Held on an ongoing basis (see the reservation site for available dates) |
Important Notes for Participants:
- The production area, including the aging warehouse, has no air conditioning. Dressing in layers that are easy to adjust is recommended.
- Slippers are required inside the production area. As some outdoor walking is involved, comfortable footwear is advised.
- The tour and tasting are conducted while standing, and the route includes stairs and steps.
- Wheelchair access is not available. Guests who have difficulty walking independently should be accompanied by a support person.
- Guided commentary is provided in Japanese. An English audio guide is also available within the facility.
For more details, visit the official tour page.
