Distillery

Sakurao

Sakurao is a Japanese producer of gin and whisky based in Hatsukaichi (Hiroshima Prefecture). Born from the centuries-old experience of a local production business, the Sakurao Distillery project was launched in 2017 to produce artisanal gin and Japanese single malt using local botanicals and raw materials.
  • Hatsukaichi · Hiroshima · Japan
  • Since 1918

Sakurao

Meet the producer

Official website
The story
The parent company was founded in 1918; in 2017 the SAKURAO DISTILLERY project and plant were established at the original Sakurao site in Hatsukaichi (Hiroshima). SAKURAO GIN was launched in 2018, while the first official Sakurao single malt releases appeared in 2021. The company has a history in sake, shōchū and liqueur production and in recent years has expanded into gin and whisky.
Production philosophy
Promote Hiroshima's local resources and convey the pleasure of food through spirits that combine tradition and innovation; prioritize botanicals and ingredients from the territory to express a sense of place.
Territory
Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture (Japan). Production and inspiration linked to both the Seto Inland Sea coast and the mountains of the Chugoku region.
Awards and recognition
Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2022: GOLD for SAKURAO GIN ORIGINAL, SAKURAO GIN HAMAGOU and Single Malt Japanese Whisky SAKURAO 1st Release CASK STRENGTH; SAKURAO GIN ORIGINAL also received a Superior Gold recognition.
Production method
For gin a hybrid copper still (imported from Germany) is used along with a mixed distillation technique that combines maceration/infusion (steeping) and vapor basket distillation to extract aromas from the botanicals; for whisky distillation is followed by maturation in warehouses/environments with different conditions to take advantage of local climate influences.
Distillation
For gin: a hybrid copper still (German model) with a mixed method combining botanical infusion and steam distillation through a basket; for whisky: conventional distillation for malt and subsequent ageing (technical details not specified in sources).
Ageing
Maturation in warehouses/environments with different microclimates (e.g. coastal and mountain areas of Hiroshima Prefecture); casks with different types of maturation/finish are used depending on the expression.
Characteristics
Type
Distillery
City
Hatsukaichi
Categories
  • Japanese gin
  • Japanese single malt
  • Japanese blended whisky
  • liqueurs and umeshu
Raw materials
  • malt (for the whiskies)
  • citrus (lemon, navel, yuzu, dai dai)
  • juniper / juniper berries
  • hinoki (Japanese cypress)
  • green tea
  • shiso (perilla)
  • ginger
  • wasabi
  • oyster shell (used as a saline element in some recipes)
Casks and ageing vessels
  • sherry cask
  • bourbon cask
  • sake cask (finish)
  • beer cask (finish)
Representative products
  • Gin Sakurao Classic 70cl
  • Sakurao Limited - 70cl - Boxed
  • Sakurao Original - 70cl - Boxed
  • Sakurao Single Malt Whisky - 70cl - Boxed
What makes it distinctive
  • Company origins date back to 1918 and the Sakurao Distillery project started in 2017
  • Gin production entirely based on Hiroshima botanicals (Limited/Original/variant editions)
  • Whisky range includes single malts and sherry-cask releases; official products released from 2021
  • Visitor centre and distillery tours
  • Awarded at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2022 (see awards)

Products from Sakurao

Full collection

There are currently no products available from this producer.