Distillery
Kiyokawa Co
Japanese spirits producer with a farm-to-bottle approach, based in Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture. Produces whisky (including the Yukisato range), gin and vodka using local resources and small-scale production.
- Iiyama · Nagano · Japan
- 2 products
The story
Kiyokawa established itself as a craft operation in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, developing a farm-to-bottle approach that includes cultivating mountain barley used for its distillates. It is cited as a producer that introduced high-altitude barley cultivation and distillation in the Iiyama area, contributing to the local development of whisky production.
Production philosophy
Preserving artisanal methods and ingredient simplicity: spring water, local grains and slow processing times. Emphasis on the mountain territory and local botanicals to create recognisable, place-linked expressions.
Territory
Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture (Japan) — mountainous area with severe winters, heavy snowfall and hot continental-type summers.
Awards and recognition
Global Gin Masters 2024 (Kiyokawa Gin); Global Vodka Masters 2024 (Yamagiri Vodka); Diamond Certified Distillery 2023.
Production method
Farm-to-bottle approach: use of spring water and local raw materials (notably barley cultivated on mountain soils), small-scale production and maturation in casks. The company website indicates the use of copper pot stills for spirits production.
Distillation
Copper pot stills for the main spirits; craft "grain-to-glass" / farm-to-bottle production as stated by the distillery.
Ageing
Maturation in oak casks; for some expressions the use of ex-bourbon casks is reported.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Iiyama
- Categories
- Japanese whisky
- Japanese gin
- Japanese vodka
- farm-to-bottle distillery
- blended whisky
- single grain
- pure malt
- Raw materials
- barley
- rice
- cereals
- Casks and ageing vessels
- ex-bourbon (American oak)
- American oak
- European oak
- Representative products
- Yukisato Blended 70cl
- Yukisato Single Grain 70cl
- Yukisato Pure Malt 70cl
- Kiyokawa Gin
- Yamagiri Vodka
- Nobushi (brand prodotto da Kiyokawa)
What makes it distinctive
- Farm-to-bottle approach with local cultivation of barley in a mountain area
- Iiyama Mountain Farm Distillery (headquarters in Nagano)
- Yukisato range (Blended, Single Grain, Pure Malt) distributed on international markets
- Kiyokawa Gin and Yamagiri Vodka winners of accolades at the Global Masters 2024 (reported by the producer)
- Cask ownership programme (KOCHI) offered by the distillery