Tuesday, July 27, 2021

KARUIZAWA DISTILLERS BREAKS GROUND ON NEW DISTILLERY

Karuizawa Distillers Inc, has today hosted an official ceremony to mark the breaking of ground and the start of construction of their new Komoro Distillery.

Located on the outskirts of Komoro in Japan, the new distillery site is situated 7 miles from the original Karuizawa Distillery.

The planned Komoro Distillery

Karuizawa Distillers Inc, which was founded by Karuizawa hotel-owners and residents, husband and wife team, Koji and Yoshie Shimaoka, has also appointed former Kavalan whisky maker, Ian Chang as Vice President and Master Blender.

The distillery is aiming is to make the best Japanese single malt whisky, in the most environmentally friendly way possible, whilst honouring and protecting the legacy of the Karuizawa name.

The $15m state-of-the-art contemporary distillery, will also include a visitor centre and a world-class education centre, curated by UK-based husband and wife team, Eddie and Amanda Ludlow.

Commenting on the news, Koji Shimaoka, Karuizawa Distillers Inc, Co-Founder, said: “It has been a challenging time in which to begin the process of creating a new legend in Japanese whisky-making. Our ground-breaking ceremony at Komoro Distillery is a very important and symbolic step in Karuizawa Distillers journey. This first distillery is also hugely significant to the whole Karuizawa region in terms of local revitalisation - offering not just employment at the Komoro Distillery, but also whisky tourism, as we build this global brand. I could not be prouder of the team, or more positive about what we are going to achieve here.”

The Komoro Distillery, is set to begin distillation in early 2023.


Posted by Steve Rush