The globally popular Japanese whisky has been extremely popular and sells for high prices around the world.
There is not enough inventory to keep up with demand.
We deal with everything from popular brands to craft whisky and can access a wide range of brands to export overseas.
We are a leading export companies of Japanese whisky
We are located in Osaka, Japan where it is known as the hometown of Suntory, and the most famous distillery in Japan, Yamazaki distillery is also in Osaka prefecture. We JEM were established in 1987 and have been exporting whisky to all over the world.
As you know, Japanese whisky has become hugely popular not only in Japan, but around the world. From 1990 to 2014, Japan’s whisky industry was said to be in its winter season, with makers reducing their production and stopping distillation. This has had a big effect on the continual and acute shortage of Japanese whisky today.
While acute supply shortages continue at the two big Japanese whisky makers, Suntory and Nikka, many unique craft whisky brands have popped up across Japan. The many different types of Japanese whisky - from the whisky aged by makers in uniquely Japanese Mizunara oak casks to makers who use their moderate southern climates to age their whisky, etc.- have drawn the attention of the world.
Looking at the history of Japanese whisky in Japan from its beginnings around 1930, in those days, Japanese weren’t at all interested in whisky, and there was a time when even Suntory couldn’t sell it well. That’s when a whisky suited to the Japanese palate that was smoother and more delicate was developed, which resulted in the birth of Japan’s unique whisky culture. In those days, people overseas made fun of Japanese whisky, but later, it won international praise. The most special trait of Japanese whisky is in the blend technology that brings that unique Japanese delicateness to life and creates a smooth but deep and widely popular taste.
1853
When there was still Samurai in Japan, Matthew C. Perry (a Commodore of the United States Navy) gifted a whisky bottle to Japanese government.
This is the first timing Japanese people met whisky.
1899
Suntory was established in Osaka, Japan (The company name was KOTOBUKIYA at that moment）
1918
Mr. Masataka Taketsuru, known as a father of Japanese whisky ( the owner of Nikka Whisky later ) learned whisky in Scotland, and left note about whisky making.
Later, this note will play an important role in Japanese whisky history.
1924
The first owner of Suntory, Mr. Shinjiro Torii hired Mr. Taketsuru as Suntory staff because he was an only person in Japan who knows whisky making, and they opened "Yamazaki Distillery" in 1924.
1929
First Japanese Whisky bottle "SUNTORY SHIROFUDA" was released, but it was failed in business because of its too strong peaty aroma for Japanese.
1934
Because of conflict of two opinions, Mr. Taketsuru who wanted the real Scottish taste and Mr. Torii who wanted to develop whisky which satisfies Japanese palates, Mr. Taketsuru has decided to retire Suntory and established a new company NIKKA in Osaka and made a distillery in Yoichi city, Hokkaido.
1936
NIKKA started whisky distillation at YOICHI DISTILLERY.
1937
"Suntory KAKUBIN" ( the name was SUNTORY WHISKY 12 YEARS at that moment ) was released and made a success in business.
1940～1945
The whisky consumption was highly decreased due to the world war II.
1946
After the war, a reasonable whisky brand "Suntory TORYS whisky" was released.
1980
Suntory's whisky "Suntory OLD" has become a hit, and made a world record in the sales, 144 million bottles.
1984
Suntory "Single Malt whisky YAMAZAKI" was released. It was not a popular brand at that moment, but would become a representing Japanese whisky brand later.
1985～2008
In the end of 1990's when the consumption of beer and wine had become big in Japanese market, the popularity of whisky started to decrease. Furthermore, in 2003, Shochu (Japanese origin spirits) boom started in Japan and many Japanese people stopped to drink whisky. The peak of Japanese whisky sales was 1983, and the whisky producers had tough period for a long time.
2004
A whisky company, Venture Whisky (known as an owner of whisky brand "ICHIRO'S MALT") was founded in Chichibu, Saitama by Mr. Ichiro Akuto.
2009
Suntory strongly started to promote Highball ( whisky with soda) with Suntory's "KAKUBIN whisky" and it was massive hit in Japanese market. People started to drink whisky with Highball instead of Beer or Shochu, and the consumption of whisky had highly increased.
2010
Suntory won championship at "Icons of Whisky 2010 (Whisky Distiller of the Year)" and people around the world started to know more about Japanese whisky.
2014
In Japan, a television drama "MASSAN" started which is based on the real story of Mr. Taketsuru and his wife Rita. Thanks to this drama hits, many people started to drink whisky in Japan but, the whisky makers, both Suntory and Nikka had serious problem in the whisky supply. In 2000's they did not produce enough volume of whisky, so their whisky stock was very short. Later the problem became more serious.
Recent years
Not only big whisky players like Suntory or Nikka, but also small craft whisky players started to grab more attention of whisky fans worldwide.
In spite of big demand of Japanese whisky worldwide, the supply volume of Japanese whisky is very limited. The limitation of supply volume is the most difficult point of Japanese whisky business today. Many whisky producers are now investing a lot for their facility of whisky making. So we expect the improvement of supply volume in the future, but someone says it should be in 2030 or later.
2016 :
4,938,766 liters / JPY 10,844,396,000
2020 :
9,225,343 liters / JPY 27,114,790,000
2022 :
14,252,564 liters / JPY 56,078,302,000
By SEA (FCL / LCL), or by AirFreight
Temperature : Dry or Reefer
Trade Terms : EXW , FCA , FOB , C&F , CIF etc. depends on your request.
Do you export any liquor items ?
As soon as we know the information of the product, the place of destination, required documents in the country, we will check and advise you.
Do you offer even premium whisky brands?
It depends on the product and timing. Let us know your request first.
What is minimum lot or the minimum buying amount?
MOQ is generally from 1 or 2 pallets. But when the product is high price, we will consider smaller volume.
Do you consolidate several whisky brands in a shipment?
Yes we can consolidate the products from more than 2 producers, and export them together for you.
What language is available?
Only English and Japanese are available.
