Hokkaido NP brings word that the man behind HR-tech firm EQIQ is looking to build a whisky distillery on the remote island of Ririshi. When distillation begins in 2021, it will become Japan’s northernmost distillery.
One of Japan’s entrepreneurs in the HR-tech scene is making moves into whisky. The companies will remain completely independent from one another.
The man behind EQIQ is Casey Wahl, founder of Wahl + Case. He’s quite involved in Japan’s startup scene, being something of an angel investor, and it appears he has now set his sights on the island of Rishiri in Hokkaido for the location of the yet unnamed distillery.
The Kamui Whisky website–which is only in English–looks to be just a placeholder at the moment. But we do know that the company plans to begin construction in 2020 and kick off distillation by 2021. The 1800 sqm site will feature a small 130 sqm(!) distillery, as well as a tasting area that will overlook the Sea of Japan. Aging facilities will be somewhere else. The eventual plan is to use local barley and peat, as Mr. Wahl says the climate is similar to that of Islay.
Thanks to @dstorey for the tip!
Hi there! I created and run nomunication.jp. I’ve lived in Tokyo since 2008, and I am a certified Shochu Kikisake-shi/Shochu Sommelier (焼酎唎酒師), Cocktail Professor (カクテル検定１級), and I hold Whisky Kentei Levels 3 and JW (ウイスキー検定３級・JW級). I also sit on the Executive Committees for the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition and Japanese Whisky Day. Click here for more details about me and this site. Kampai!
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