V-5 The birth of Hinomaru Whisky First Edition The first drop

In 2022, Kiuchi released its first whisky: Hinomaru Whisky First Edition.

This blended Japanese whisky is made with barley, wheat, and rice produced in Ibaraki Prefecture to create several distillations in the Nukada distillery’s column stills and the Yasato distillery’s pot stills. It is aged here in Yasato.

 

We have only just begun making whisky. This is the start of our challenge of creating a uniquely Japanese whisky, one that only Kiuchi can provide.

 

Upper image

The name “Hinomaru” represents our determination to create new possibilities for Japanese whisky. The graphic designer Katsumi Asaba designed the logo.

 

Lower image

The label features a stork, which in Japan is said to bring happiness. The stork image also comes from the place name “Kōnosu” (meaning “stork’s nest”), the part of Naka City where Kiuchi’s sake brewery is located. The illustration was created by Shunji Sakai, who also created the now-famous owl on the Hitachino Nest Beer label.