Discover and bid on old, rare and collectible whiskies in our online auctions each month.
Ocean Whisky Co
Founded
1934
Company type
Blender,
Distiller
Ocean Whisky Co was an important Japanese company that was originally founded by Kotaro Miyazaki as Daikoku Budoshu in 1934. It originally opened a winery in Karuizawa before moving into whisky production after the second world war. Its first attempt to start a distillery at Shiojiri was a failure, and its moved its malt license to Karuizawa in 1955, converting it into a distillery.
The company found great success with its Ocean brand of blended whiskies. They were so popular that it renamed itself Ocean Whisky Co in 1961. Trading only briefly however, it was merged into Sanraku-Shuzo Co to become Sanraku-Ocean Co the following year.
Former distilleries
Single Malt
1934
1939
1947
1952
1955
1956
1958
1961
1962
Daikoku Budoshu Co is founded by Kotaro Miyazaki.
Company establishes a winery at Karuizawa.
Kotaro Miyazaki dies and is succeeded as president by his grandson, also called Kotaro Miyazaki.
Shiojiri distillery is opened in Nagano Prefecture.
Its malt whisky license is granted in March.
Shiojiri project is a failure and is closed.
Wine production is stopped at Karuizawa and the malt whisky license from Shiojiri is transferred to it.
First spirit is distilled at Karuizawa in February.
Company becomes first in Japan to begin importing malted barley from Scotland.
Company is renamed Ocean Whisky Co.
Company merges with Sanraku Shuzo Co, forming Sanraku-Ocean Co.
