Suntory Hakushu

Suntory's Hakushu Distillery sits in pristine forest at the base of the Japanese Southern Alps, where the exceptionally pure mountain water produces the clean, herbaceous single malt that has won international awards. The distillery tour walks you through the whisky-making process from mashing to maturation, ending with a tasting of expressions you can't easily find elsewhere. Free reservations are required and book up weeks in advance, so plan ahead. Even without the tour, the grounds include a whisky museum, a tasting bar, and a gift shop stocked with distillery exclusives. The forested setting alone makes the trip feel worthwhile.