Nestled on the peaceful shores of Hiroshima's Seto Inland Sea, Sakurao Distillery embodies the perfect blend of a century of Japanese craftsmanship and a modern vision of distillation. Founded in 1918 as "Chugoku Shurui Jozo," this family-owned distillery has evolved into one of the most innovative players in the Japanese spirits landscape, producing award-winning single malts, craft gins, and liqueurs. In 2017, Sakurao marked a turning point by relaunching its whisky production and opening an ultra-modern distillery, while preserving the traditional techniques passed down through five generations. Today, Sakurao stands out for its whiskeys aged in two contrasting environments—the mild coastal climate of Sakurao and the cool mountain air of Togouchi—and for its gins infused with local botanicals such as yuzu, Japanese cypress, and cherry blossom petals.
Sakurao's adventure began in 1918, when the Chugoku Shurui Jozo distillery was founded in Hiroshima, initially specializing in the production of sake, shochu, and mirin. Over the course of a century, the company has built a reputation for excellence, becoming a pillar of the region and an ambassador for Japanese spirits. In 2017, to celebrate its centenary, the distillery reinvented itself as Sakurao Brewery & Distillery, marking the beginning of a new era with the launch of its range of single malt whiskies and craft gins.
The decision to produce whisky was not taken lightly: after decades of experience in distillation and study trips to the greatest Scottish distilleries, the Sakurao team decided to take on the challenge of creating a 100% Japanese whisky, combining tradition and innovation. In 2021, the distillery officially changed its name and expanded its activities, including the creation of a theme park dedicated to whiskey, the Sakurao Yoshiva Whiskey Park, where visitors can discover the behind-the-scenes of production and taste unique expressions.
Sakurao Distillery stands out for its artisanal and local approach, where each stage of production is designed to reflect the essence of Hiroshima and its contrasting landscapes.
Whiskies aged in two distinct environments
Unlike most distilleries, Sakurao ages its whiskeys in two locations with opposite climates:
- In Sakurao, near the Seto Inland Sea, where the sea air and temperature variations give the barrels sweet, floral, and slightly salty notes.
- In Togouchi, in the mountains, where the altitude and cool temperatures bring a mineral and spicy complexity to the spirits.
This dual maturation process creates balanced whiskies with rich and nuanced aromas, blending notes of ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and cherry blossoms.
Hybrid stills and controlled distillation
Sakurao uses custom-made copper stills, including a hybrid model capable of reaching an alcohol content of 85%, a rarity in the industry. This technology allows for precise distillation, preserving the delicate aromas of the grains and botanicals. The whiskies are double distilled and then aged in bourbon and sherry barrels, carefully selected to enhance their flavor profile.
An iconic gin: Sakurao Gin
Sakurao Gin is made from 17 local botanicals, including citrus fruits (yuzu, lemon), Japanese cypress, oyster shells and, of course, cherry blossom petals (sakura), the symbol of the distillery. This gin, with its floral, citrus and slightly marine aromas, has won numerous awards, including a place in the Japanese Spirits Hall of Fame. It is available in several editions, including a limited edition 100% Hiroshima version, where all the botanicals come from the region.
Transparent, artisanal production
Sakurao is committed to transparency and authenticity: the whiskeys are bottled without coloring or cold filtration, and each batch is numbered. The distillery also offers limited editions and single casks, allowing enthusiasts to discover unique and rare profiles.
Since its rebirth, Sakurao Distillery has quickly gained notoriety, collecting awards for its whiskeys and gins:
- Sakurao Gin: Gold medal at the World Gin Awards and inducted into the Japanese Gin Hall of Fame.
- Sakurao Single Malt: Acclaimed for its balance between floral sweetness and mineral complexity, it has been praised by international critics, particularly for its expressions aged in sherry and bourbon casks.
- Togouchi Single Malt: Awarded for its fruity and spicy profile, this mountain-aged whisky has become a benchmark among Japanese spirits enthusiasts.
Sakurao Distillery is open to visitors, offering guided tours of the distillery and tastings of its whiskeys and gins. Enthusiasts can go behind the scenes of production, from the stills to the aging cellars, and even participate in mixology workshops. The Sakurao Yoshiva Whisky Park project, currently under development, promises an even more immersive experience, with interactive exhibits and exclusive tastings.
Sakurao Distillery embodies the soul of modern Japanese whisky and gin: a perfect balance between ancestral know-how and innovative audacity. By drawing on the terroir of Hiroshima, aging its spirits in contrasting environments, and relying on local ingredients, the distillery creates authentic, complex, and memorable products. For whisky and gin lovers in search of unique taste experiences, Sakurao is a must-visit destination, where each bottle tells a story of passion, tradition, and terroir.
