Tankyu Distillery Starts its New Chapter of Whisky and Gin making in Japan
Nestled in the pristine landscapes of Higashikawa, Tankyu Distillery, the creator of the Hong Kong-inspired Perfume Trees Gin, is revolutionising spirits production by fusing Hong Kong’s rich heritage with Hokkaido’s exceptional natural resources.
Joseph and Kit co-founded Perfume Trees Gin in 2018, in a short 6 years, they have been breaking through boundaries in creating a profoundly well-known, multiple awards winning liquor that is being sold internationally now. Today, they are bringing their core vision to life, turning a new page in their distilled adventure.
Why Japan and Higashikawa?
Back in 2020, Joseph and Kit have already begun exploring the best location to build Tankyu Distillery. Since Masataka Taketsuru introduced the art of whisky distillation from Scotland to Japan a century ago, the country has cultivated the richest culture and history of whisky production in Asia. This heritage creates an inspiring environment filled with a wealth of expertise, making Japan an ideal location for establishing a distillery. For such reason, the team believes this would be the best location to begin its distilled journey.
Higashikawa is celebrated for its pristine, high-quality water sources, which are essential for producing superior spirits. This pure water is one of the town’s most valuable natural assets, contributing significantly to the quality of the distillery’s output.
Moreover, the distillery’s collaboration with the local government under the “public built, private operate” model guarantees substantial support and investment in the distillery’s infrastructure. This innovative partnership allows the distillery to concentrate on its craft and innovation while benefiting from the strong backing of the community. After 4 years of discussion and planning, the project has officially kick-started in June 2024.
Introduction to Higashikawa Town
Located in central Hokkaido, Higashikawa is a picturesque town known for its stunning natural beauty and cultural richness. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Daisetsuzan Mountain range, Higashikawa
offers a pristine environment that is ideal for both living and production. The town attracts visitors and new residents alike.
Higashikawa is the only town in Hokkaido without municipal water coverage, relying instead on abundant and pure underground water sources. This has earned it a place among the 100 Best Water Sources of Japan. The town’s climate, characterised by extreme temperature swings, further enhances the maturation process of whisky, accelerating the extraction and development of complex flavours.
The local government has successfully increased the town’s population for 25 consecutive years, drawing immigrants from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Higashikawa is also home to abundant forest resources, skilled carpentry, and agriculture, providing plentiful natural resources and ideal conditions for the distillery’s production.
This is where Tankyu Distillery story begins
Tankyu Distillery began liaising with the Higashikawa government in 2020, building a solid foundation of mutual trust over the past four years. Occupying an area of 1,834 square meters, the distillery leverages Higashikawa’s natural resources and unique climate to produce high-quality spirits. The project highlights the resilience and dedication of the Tankyu team, with a significant portion of the construction and equipment costs supported by the local government. This partnership underscores the close relationship between the distillery and the community, fostering mutual growth and development.
Embrace Innovation in The Art of Single-Malt Whisky Production
The distillery’s innovative distillation process combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional methods. The process of single-malt whisky production includes a two-stage fermentation method: the first 48 hours in temperature-controlled stainless steel fermenters, followed by 48 hours in traditional Japanese wooden wash-backs. This approach enhances yeast activity and promotes the development of flavourful esters, resulting in spirits with fruity and complex flavor profiles.
Tankyu Distillery employs a variety of high-quality casks for maturation, each contributing to the distinctive character of its spirits. The Mizunara Hogshead, crafted from rare Japanese Mizunara oak sourced from Toyama Prefecture, imparts complex, oriental incense-like notes to the whisky, thanks to its exceptional quality. The distillery’s Certified Jerez Ex-Sherry Hogsheads, sourced from Jerez, Spain, have previously held Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez sherry for at least two years, enriching the whisky with rich dried fruit, chocolate, and coffee flavors. These casks are certified to ensure the highest quality. Additionally, the distillery uses Ex-Bourbon Octave barrels, smaller American oak barrels that accelerate the maturation process and add vanilla and caramel notes to the whisky. These 56-liter barrels are ideal for a shorter aging period of 3-5 years, allowing for rapid yet profound flavour development.
The distillery aims for an annual capacity of 32,000 LPA, with a maximum capacity of 76,200 LPA.
The construction of Tankyu Distillery commenced in June 2024, and is expected to take approximately six months, with completion anticipated by the end of the year. This swift and efficient construction schedule ensures that the distillery is on track to begin production in the first quarter of 2025.
Following the completion of the distillery, it aims to start distilling its first batches of gin and whisky early in 2025. Due to the shorter maturation period required for gin, the distillery anticipates having its first bottles of gin available for market release by the second quarter of 2025.
Whisky production, however, involves a longer maturation process to develop its complex flavours fully. The distillery’s whisky will undergo at least three years of aging before it is deemed ready for release. Consequently, the first batch of Tankyu Distillery whisky is projected to be available on the market in 2028.
