Whisky Burn Author Ben Birdsall Sets off Across Japan for New Whisky Book

22.07.2026

Ben Birdsall Takes Whisky Burn to Japan: Exploring the Stories Behind Japanese Whisky

Writer and author Ben Birdsall, known for his Whisky Burn books published by Wittenborg Press, has begun his latest whisky adventure. After documenting whisky travels through Scotland and Ireland, Birdsall is now travelling across Japan for his third book project, exploring the country’s distilleries, landscapes and whisky traditions.

From mid-July to mid-August 2026, Birdsall is travelling from Hokkaido to Okinawa, visiting historic producers, independent distilleries and emerging craft operations. The journey is being documented through interviews, photography, tastings and travel notes, forming the basis of his next book.

The adventure began in Hokkaido, where Birdsall visited Yoichi Distillery, founded by Masataka Taketsuru, one of the pioneers of Japanese whisky. He has already shared this experience through a video, offering readers and whisky enthusiasts a first glimpse of his Japanese exploration.

Continuing the Whisky Burn Journey

The new project follows the same spirit as Birdsall’s earlier Whisky Burn books, which combine whisky exploration with travel writing and personal encounters. His previous journeys took him across Scotland and Ireland by classic Vespa, visiting distilleries and discovering the stories behind the whisky regions.

In Japan, he is combining train travel with scooter journeys, allowing him to experience both the country’s modern transport network and the quieter roads between distilleries.

“For me, whisky has always been about more than what is in the glass,” said Birdsall. “It is about the people who make it, the places where it is created and the stories that connect everything together.”

Exploring the Future of Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky has gained worldwide recognition for its craftsmanship, precision and distinctive character. While famous producers have helped establish Japan’s reputation internationally, Birdsall is also looking beyond the well-known names to discover smaller distilleries, regional projects and new voices in the industry.

“This trip is about understanding Japanese whisky through movement, landscape and encounter,” he explained. “Japan’s whisky story is no longer only about the famous names. It now includes small craft distilleries, regional ambitions, unusual locations and a new generation of producers.”

By travelling across Japan and meeting the people behind the whisky, Birdsall aims to capture the diversity of the country’s whisky culture and the environments that shape it.