Ikawa Distillery

History

Ikawa Distillery was opened in November 2020 in the Ikawa Forest, located in the Southern Alps, at an altitude of around 1,200 meters. The region surrounding the Ikawa area covers about 24,430 ha, which is the company's own forest area and an important water source through 'The Mother Water' in the form of pure spring water. The company's aim is to share the nature of the Southern Alps and thereby inspire conservation while producing whisky and other nature-based products. The company is part of Juuzan/十山 and places collaboration with local communities and environmental authorities as a central part of the business model.

Production and manufacture

Initial raw materials and water

The whisky is built from malt from Scotland and the clean spring water from 木賊湧水 in the Ikawa area. The malt is imported and milled in a six-roller malt mill and then mashed in steel mash-tanks. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vessels with water/heat jackets to maintain stable temperatures across changing climatic conditions (up to a high of 30°C, down to -15°C).

Distillation design and cut selection

Fermentation is followed by distillation, where the difference in boiling points between water and alcohol is exploited to concentrate the alcohol and select aromas. Because of the altitude and lower pressure, the pot still is configured with a slightly downward-sloping line-arm and a straight neck to achieve purity and body. The final product is selected manually by taste; only the most expressive fractions are filled into casks.

Casks and maturation

An important part of the process is the use of local Mizunara casks (Gs. Quercus mongolica var) from the Ikawa area. In addition, casks produced from own forest materials and from other types such as Bourbon and Sherry are used. A special initiative is 'Barrels Made by the Alps', where Mizunara casks were cut from fallen wood and converted into casks. The maturation takes place in the cool, misty conditions of the South Alps, where nature and time together create deeper and more complex characters in the spirit.

Quality assurance and human judgment

After distillation, experts decide which of the first and last fractions go into the casks. Although the process is scientifically controlled, the final cut-point rests on human sensory judgment. The producers place importance on passion for whisky, experience from paper and wood industries, and team spirit.

Production and capacity

Ikawa Distillery has an annual production capacity of around 70,000 liters. The basis of production includes not only whisky production but also the development of products that repurpose by-products from whisky production, as well as scaling up renewable energy sources and CO2-offset programs.

Products and whisky series

Dessin Series Flora 2025 (Non-Peated)

The product is a non-peat single malt in the Dessin Series Flora 2025, based on Mizunara casks originally from the Ikawa Forest with sherry-cask additions. It is a high-strength version with 55% alcohol, 700 ml, and a recommended retail price of 16,500 JPY. The label features a rare red-flowered orchid species (オオサクラソウ) as a symbol of the South Alpine ecosystem.

Flora Series and Fauna / Flora & Fauna

The Flora Series explores non-peat whisky, with themes reflecting the vegetative part of the South Alpine ecosystem. The Fauna model (peaty) will be in a later part of the series and will unfold animal motifs under the same theme. The series is expected to be developed further annually and form a long-term portfolio.

Flora 2024 and new make releases

Earlier releases such as Flora 2024 and newer generations build on the purity and the high-altitude environment to which Ikawa Distillery is fully dedicated. The first release (Flora 2024) was described as central to the series.

New Make & Young Spirit and awards

Ikawa Distillery received recognition at the World Whiskies Awards 2023 with a silver in the New Make & Young Spirit category for NEW BORN Non-Peat 2022. Additionally, the distillery won the TWSC 2022 New Comer Award in the 洋酒部門 category (for a newcomer producer in the Japanese spirits category).

Environment and sustainability initiatives

The distillery completed the 2024 measurement and offsetting of GHG/CO2 emissions using J-credits as part of a net-zero accounting for their operations and performances. The overall waste streams and upcoming projects also include using various local tree species as casks and other natural materials that support the ecosystem's condition.

Visits and experiences

Guided tours and experiences

Ikawa Distillery offers guided tours and on-site experiences (Guided tours). This gives visitors the opportunity to experience the entire whisky production up close, including water sources, malting processes, fermentation, distillation, and aging in Mizunara casks. Additionally, the distillery district and other relevant facilities are mentioned on the company's channel and with external retailers.

Philosophy and approach

Sharing the Alps and conservation

The company operates under the philosophy 'Sharing the Alps' and wishes to share the South Alpine nature and its benefits through whisky production, experience-based offerings, and sustainability initiatives. They own and manage the Ikawa Forest (井川社有林), which comprises about 65% of the area as a nature reserve, with a focus on preserving mountaintops, misty forests, and ecosystems such as red-backed migratory birds and specialist species. In addition, about 5% of the area exists as forest and soil protection areas to prevent landslides and erosion and to protect particularly valuable species and habitats.

Sustainability and transparency

The company works with large forest-management principles, carbon offsets through J-credits, and communicates annually updated information about environmental impact and protection initiatives. They have also received recognition from Green Destinations Top 100 for their approach to sustainable tourism and nature management, marking international recognition of their work balancing conservation and activities in the area.

Future and collaboration

Future plans include continued collaboration with local communities, researchers, and partners to expand nature-based products, experiences, and research in the Ikawa area, while preserving and improving the ecosystem and natural resources for future generations.