Yuza Single Malt (Kinryu)

Yuza (Yuza Distillery / Kinryu) · Yamagata (Yuza)
Alcohol Whisky Alcohol Emerging

Yuza Distillery in Yamagata, owned by Kinryu Co. (originally a 1950 joint venture of nine Yamagata sake breweries), began whisky distillation in 2018. It produces small-batch single malt with a focus on clean, elegant Highland-leaning character. Yuza's releases are exported through specialist Japanese-whisky importers in Europe and beyond, often selling out on allocation. The young distillery has rapidly built a premium collector following.

The supplierYamagata distillery (Kinryu, founded 1950 by nine sake breweries); whisky from 2018; small-batch elegant single malt.
Why it sells abroadElegant, clean Yamagata single malt; sake-brewery consortium heritage; scarce allocation drives prestige.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHalal: not publicly verified. Organic-JAS: not publicly verified. Kosher: not publicly verified. HACCP/FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. (confirmed) Yuza Distillery (operational 2018; Kinryu Corp., est. 1950, Yuza, Yamagata) is Yamagata's only whisky distillery; 'YUZA First Edition 2022' won ISC 2022 Gold and WWA 2024 Category Winner/Gold. (Awards, not a dietary/food-safety cert.)
Pack formats700ml bottles; limited releases; case packs (draft retained)
Shelf lifeLong / stable (distilled spirit)
StorageAmbient; keep upright, sealed, away from heat/light
Minimum orderTypical: allocation/case via importer
Lead timeTypical: release/allocation-driven
CapacityEmerging - very small annual output
Container loadTypical: ambient mixed container via importer
PricingPremium/allocation single malt tier
OEM / private labelNo.
Wholesale & MOQWholesale via specialist Japanese-whisky importers (EU/Asia)
Key exporters & distributorsSpecialist Japanese-whisky importers (EU), Uisuki (FR/EU online)
Export regulationUK/EU spirit drinks rules and duty; Japanese whisky labeling self-standard
Market demandHigh collector demand; severely supply-limited
How to source itYuza/Kinryu -> specialist EU/Asia importers (Uisuki EU; Le Comptoir Irlandais) and JAL inflight exclusive -> premium retail (confirmed)
Verified sourceshttps://yuza-disty.jp/en/feature-en/; https://www.uisuki.com/en/yuza
MakerKinryu Co., Ltd. (Yuza Distillery)
OriginYamagata (Yuza)
CategoryAlcohol / Whisky
Available inUnited Kingdom, France, Germany, Taiwan
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierPremium
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEmerging
HS code2208.30
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.