Our Distillery
In early 2024, after years of dedication and driven by our passion for the craft, we realized our dream by opening our distillery in the heart of Ishigaki. Set against the serene backdrop of Nagura Bay, our distillery stands as a tribute to the island’s beauty and spirit, embodying the essence of Ishigaki in every bottle we create.
Embracing Japanese Precision in Crafting Exceptional Rum
At Ishigaki Distilleries, we draw inspiration from Japan’s famed precision and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a solid foundation in every step of our process. This commitment allows us to stay true to our ambition of producing world-class Japanese rum.
Our Pot Still: A Fusion of Artistry and Precision
We distill our rum in a custom-designed, refined copper pot still, equipped with an eight-plate rectification column. This meticulously crafted equipment epitomizes artisanal copperwork, with its thoughtful design maximizing copper contact throughout the slow distillation process. We preserve only the finest part—the “heart” of the distillation—resulting in a rum that is exceptionally smooth and refined.
By combining pot still and column distillation, we have the flexibility to produce a diverse range of marques, allowing our master blender to craft new expressions that reflect the spirit and artistry of Ishigaki Rum.
Our Casks: Aged to Perfection for Future Connoisseurs
At Ishigaki Distilleries, we specialize in Pure Sugarcane Juice Rums, often known as Agricole rum. Our unaged Nagura Rum captures the essence of fresh sugarcane, delivering vibrant grassy notes and subtle hints of floral and fruity aromas. While we celebrate the bright, raw expression of our rum, we are also planning for the future to satisfy aficionados who will seek aged varieties with deeper complexity.
To meet this demand, we have laid down some of our precious liquid in carefully selected casks, each chosen to enhance the aromatic depth and character of our rum over time:
Bourbon Casks: Impart vanilla and caramel sweetness, oak-derived woodiness, and a touch of spice, resulting in a smooth and layered flavor profile.
Whiskey Casks: add oak woodiness, along with whiskey-derived smokiness, spice, and deep dried fruit sweetness, creating a complex and rich taste.
Mizunara Casks: enhance the spirit with distinctive oriental aromas of sandalwood and kyara (agarwood), complemented by notes of vanilla, coconut, honey, and a subtle spiciness, leading to a deep and intricate flavor.
Chestnut Casks: add nutty toastiness and gentle woody character, with hints of vanilla and caramel, culminating in a mellow and delicate taste experience.
These aging barrels will enrich our rum, building layers of complexity that will speak to the tastes of discerning enthusiasts. As we look forward, we’re excited to offer future connoisseurs an authentic Japanese rum experience, crafted with devotion and the spirit of Ishigaki.
Our Fermentation: Shaping the Flavor and Aroma
Fermenting 100% sugarcane juice is an exceptionally delicate process. Throughout the research and the development of our prototype, we conducted countless experiments to select the ideal yeast strain, and also identified the optimal temperature management and fermentation duration.
On one hand, this process is deeply rooted in science, guided by data and precision. On the other, it relies on human sensory perception to create the perfect fermentation mash for the rum we aspire to produce.
Our Sugarcane: The Essence of Ishigaki’s Terroir
The history of sugarcane cultivation on Ishigaki Island dates back approximately 150 years. Despite enduring powerful typhoons at times, the dedication of local farmers and continuous improvements in cultivation have led to the growth of more than ten different sugarcane varieties today. Among them, we have carefully selected two varieties that are best suited for rum production and cultivate them with greatest care.
Rather than relying on large machinery, we use traditional harvesting methods to ensure precise cuts, preserving the freshness and quality of the sugarcane juice. Each day, we harvest only the amount needed for that day's rum production, extracting the juice in a single pressing to capture the freshest, highest-quality essence. This uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship is the very foundation of our rum-making philosophy.
Our Climate
Ishigaki Island's subtropical climate, with its warm temperatures, abundant rainfall, and ocean breezes, provides ideal conditions for growing sugarcane. The island enjoys long, sunny days and high humidity, which allows the sugarcane to thrive and fully develop its natural sugars.
This unique climate also plays a key role in the fermentation and ageing process of our rum, promoting balanced maturation and enhancing the rum’s flavour complexity.
The result is a smooth, well-rounded spirit that embodies the island’s tropical essence, with subtle notes of the ocean and earth that are distinct to Ishigaki.