TOKYO — June 2024 — Independent distiller, Kiyokawa, is pioneering the evolution of Japanese whisky with its innovative farm to bottle approach that sees it grows its own barley and support local farming communities.

Kiyokawa Whisky, founded in 2019, is relatively unknown outside of Japan but all this is about to change as they prepare to release their very first single malt whisky next year.

Situated high up in the mountains of Iiyama in Nagano, and nestled amongst Japan’s most precious and untouched scenery, rich and natural landscape, The Iiyama Mountain Farm Distillery has arguably Japan’s most stunning location.

The idea of creating whisky directly from farm to bottle was hard to achieve in Japan. Barley farming is not widespread and this, combined with the local area’s extreme alpine climate, fierce winters with heavy snowfall and hot summers, meant it would be a challenging endeavour. The Japanese Department of Agriculture said it couldn’t be done.

Against all odds, and after two failed attempts, Kiyokawa and The Iiyama Mountain Farm Distillery persisted in their pursuit of homegrown barley. Finally, on their third try, they successfully created a crossbreed of barley that would withstand the extreme conditions while holding the ideal characteristics for whisky production.

Working closely with local communities, those who have been growing rice for generations, Kiyokawa helped pivot such seasoned farmers to achieve this, a first in Japan. This is testament to their determination to create a truly unique Japanese whisky, and their commitment to terroir.

With success on the farming front finally achieved, whisky production quickly began as the distillery installed two state of the art 5,000L potstills. The first was a custom made, traditional potstill, while the second was a Frilli potstill, imported from Italy and the first of its kind to be installed in Japan which the distillery believes has helped them create a truly unique spirit like nothing else being produced in the country right now.

The distillery’s rich malted barley, fresh and pure spring mountain water, matures in casks through the changing seasons, exposed to big atmospheric pressure changes and high variations in a single day, resulting in a more intense take up of the wood’s flavour and natural colour.

Kiyokawa are producing both Marsala casks, sourced directly from Italy, and Oloroso casks.

On top of that, they are also aiming for another industry first – maturing their whisky in a bourbon barrel that was seasoned with orange liqueur, something the master distillers have already been experimenting with.

Kiyokawa are also building a traditional Japanese washi paper production workshop so the eventual bottler may design their own label at the distillery.

“We like to think we have been as persistent as our barley when producing a quality liquid that best reflects Japan’s terroir and spirit”

David Troiano, Founder, Kiyokawa Whisky

A number of single malt whisky casks are available to purchase through dekantā, the world’s leading online retailer of fine and rare Japanese whisky. Cask purchases come with opportunities to sample the liquid, visit the distillery, and create one’s very own independent bottling of Kiyokawa single malt whisky, once the ageing requirements have been met. 

What’s more, when the time finally comes, limited edition official bottle releases will be available via dekantā, while working on their very own independent bottlings of this exceptional whisky. Until then, dekantā will be keeping their customers and cask owners up to date with regular news, content, offers and updates from Kiyokawa Whisky. 

Kiyokawa Whisky casks are available through www.dekanta.com

Tasting Notes

Marsala Casks – the palate is warm and sweet with notes of peach and apricot. Surprisingly enjoyable for a 62 percent ABV whisky. The finish is malty, floral, with a hint of candied ginger.

Oloroso Casks – rich and complex. There is a creaminess to the mouthfeel that brings back the sherry with lots of dark fruits like raisins, black cherries, along with chocolate sweetness. Delightfully smooth for a cask strength whisky.

Notes to Editors:
dekantā Founder Makiyo and Whisky Operations Manager Liam Hiller are available for interview. Please RSVP to arrange, Emily Wan at emily@dekanta.com

dekantā Press Room: https://dekanta.com/press/

High resolution press images available on request, with a selection viewable in this folder, and on the website here: https://dekanta.com/press-library/

About dekantā

dekantā is a specialist retailer of fine and rare Japanese whisky, proud to have the world’s largest such online inventory.

dekantā’s range covers premium, rare bottles for collectors, small batch and local whiskies from Japan’s young distilleries, and entry-level releases from the most popular Japanese whisky brands.

In 2022 dekantā was named ‘Japanese Independent Bottler of the Year’ thanks to their creative and impressive whisky bottlings that showcase top quality whisky, alongside intriguing aspects of Japanese culture, allowing customers to experience the upper echelon of Japanese whisky while gaining a better understanding of the centuries of hard work that made it possible. 

In recent times, dekantā has been at the forefront of the birth of the Japanese whisky cask market and has made strong relationships with several distilleries, allowing them to become leading players in the market. Japanese whisky casks were previously hard to come by, but through tireless work, dekantā is now the leading online retailer of Japanese whisky casks. 

Content

https://ikon.smugmug.com/Kiyokawa-Iiyama-Distillery-2023-High-Res/n-9Xc2GG

Password: KiYO-IIL23

Images courtesy of acclaimed Scotch whisky photographer Konrad Borkowski, his first assignment to Japan.