The Kaikyō distillery was built in 2017 by the Akashi brewery, itself founded in 1917 and specializing in the production of shochu, a traditional spirit produced from various ingredients, such as wheat and rice. To celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary, master distiller and blender Kimio Yonezawa launched the production of gin and whisky. With over 30 years of experience, he learnt his craft during numerous trips abroad. The distillery is located on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. The whisky is matured in the distillery’s warehouses in American oak, Japanese oak (Mizunara) and cherry wood casks. The climate and proximity with the sea have an impact on the whisky’s ageing, with dry, temperate winters and hot, humid summers.

Hatozaki Pure Malt is a blend of Scottish malt whiskies aged in bourbon and sherry casks and Japanese malt whiskies, some of which have been aged in Japanese oak (Mizunara) casks. Hatozaki takes its name from the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan, built in Akashi in 1620.