Isamu Y.

Isamu Yoneda (Sam) is a brewer and distiller with over 10 years of hands-on experience—starting as a keg washer, moving on to brewing beer, and later transitioning into distilling spirits. He has commissioned four distilleries, serving as head distiller at three of them. His work spans the full production process: from raw material procurement and recipe development to quality control and whisky maturation monitoring. Born to a Japanese father and Scottish mother, Sam’s path into the world of spirits felt natural. Originally a history major, he began his career as an assistant language teacher before finding his place in the alcoholic beverage industry. The distilleries he has worked with have received global recognition, with accolades including: Best New Distillery of the Year – Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2023 Country Winner: London Dry Gin – World Gin Awards 2024 Best in Class: Barrel-Aged Gin – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024