Craft breweries step up to fill Japan's empty whisky casks

Newcomers bet on a risky field to tap the spirit's meteoric rise

20181228N Kenten whisky

Kenten, whose main business involves importing food materials, is one of many newcomers to Japan's whisky industry. (Photo courtesy of Kenten)

RYOMA KASHIWAGI and MIHO SAITO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- As inventories at Japan's big whisky makers run dry on a surge in demand, craft breweries and distilleries nationwide are making heavy investments to fill the gap with their own unique take on the spirit.

Many of these companies have never made whisky before, but they see big opportunities in the market.

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