Kaikyo Distillery Hatozaki

Overview of Kaikyo

Foundation 

Kaikyo Distillery is a recent addition to the Japanese whisky landscape, officially established in 2017 by Kimio Yonezawa. The distillery is an expansion of the Akashi Sake Brewery, which has a long history dating back to 1856. The brewery originally produced sake, mirin, and shochu and endured significant hardships, including damage from World War II and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995  .

Location and Environment:

Kaikyo Distillery is located in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, near the iconic Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. The distillery benefits from the maritime climate of the Seto Inland Sea, which offers dry, temperate winters and hot, humid summers, ideal for aging spirits  .

Environment

• The distillery is named after the nearby Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, symbolizing a bridge between Japanese tradition and modern whisky making.

Unique Features

• One of the distillery’s unique aspects is its integration within the sake and shochu production traditions of the Akashi Sake Brewery, allowing for a unique cross-pollination of techniques and flavors.

• The maritime climate of the Akashi Strait region impacts the maturation process, potentially influencing the flavor profile of the whisky with a subtle briny character.

History 

Foundation and Early History:

Kaikyo Distillery is a recent addition to the Japanese whisky landscape, officially established in 2017 by Kimio
Yonezawa. The distillery is an expansion of the Akashi Sake Brewery, which has a long history dating back to 1856. The brewery originally produced sake, mirin, and shochu and endured significant hardships, including damage from World War II and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995  

Anocdate
• Master Distiller: Kimio Yonezawa, with over 30 years of distilling experience.
• Products: Produces “Hatozaki” whisky and “135 East Hyogo Dry Gin.”
– • Production Methods: Combines traditional pot still distillation with innovative blending and aging  

Kimio Yonezawa founder 
the Master Distiller and Blender at Kaikyō Distillery, founded the distillery to honor his family’s century-long distilling tradition and to celebrate the centennial of Akashi Sake Brewery. With over 30 years of distilling experience, Yonezawa has successfully integrated traditional Japanese techniques with insights gained from Western distilling practices. 

notable products is 135 East Hyogo Dry gin
This approach has led to the creation of notable products like p and 135 East Hyogo Dry Gin.

Location of The Kaikyō Distillery

The Kaikyō Distillery, located near the Akashi Strait and named after the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, started operations in 2017. Initially equipped with a single Forsyths still, the distillery expanded in 2021 by adding another still, allowing it to commit more seriously to whisky 

non-peated malt

The distillery uses non-peated malt imported from the UK and various casks, including American oak, Japanese mizunara oak, and sakura cherry wood, to age its spirits.

Yonezawa’s commitment to quality and innovation,

Yonezawa’s commitment to quality and innovation, combined with the distillery’s unique location and resources, has established Kaikyō Distillery as a significant player in the Japanese whisky and gin markets   . 

Production process

Copper stills 
Kaikyō Distillery’s copper stills are a crucial element in crafting the distinct character of its whisky and gin. Here’s an overview of their unique features:
Kaikyō Distillery’s copper stills are central to the creation of its spirits, contributing significantly to their quality, character, and the distillery’s reputation for excellence. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques makes these stills a key element in Kaikyō’s distinctive approach to whisky and gin production.
• Kaikyo Distillery utilizes traditional pot stills for distillation, a method preferred for producing high-quality malt whisky.

Various cask types for maturation

• The distillery is known for experimenting with various cask types for maturation, including Mizunara oak, which is prized for adding unique Japanese character to the whisky.

Kaikyo Distillery produces both whisky and gin

Kaikyo Distillery produces both whisky and gin. It initially operated with a single Forsyths still for both wash and spirit runs and later expanded with an additional still in 2021. The distillery uses non-peated malt imported from the UK, and the whisky production involves traditional pot still distillation. Their primary whisky brand is “Hatozaki,” named after Japan’s oldest stone lighthouse, which reflects the distillery’s dedication to blending tradition with modernity  .

Kaikyo Distillery produces both whisky and gin

Kaikyo Distillery Casks

Kaikyo Distillery Casks

Kaikyo Distillery Casks

Aroma

A hypothetical aroma profile for a Kaikyo Distillery whisky could captivate with a harmonious blend of floral and fruity notes at the forefront, reminiscent of blossoms and fresh orchard fruits such as apples and pears. 

These light, inviting scents might be followed by deeper, warmer tones of honey and caramel sweetness, a result of careful aging in oak barrels. 
The presence of a slight maritime influence, hinting at brine and seaweed, would nod to the distillery’s coastal proximity, adding a unique layer of complexity. 

Finally, a soft undercurrent of spice—perhaps a hint of ginger or white pepper—would lend a spirited warmth to the finish, creating an aroma profile that’s as intriguing as it is inviting.