Tatenokawa Brewery has established a new subsidiary for whisky production in Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, to begin producing "Shonai Whisky" utilizing its sake brewing techniques. The company is moving forward with the establishment of "Gekkogawa Distillery," the second whisky distillery in the prefecture.

With a vision of "Unrelenting pursuit of delicious sake. And to become a world-leading brand," Tatenokawa Brewery is a comprehensive liquor company that captures changing trends, creates high-value-added products, and spreads MADE IN JAPAN to the world.

The company also produces the liqueur series "Kojin" using local fruits and yogurt, kasutori shochu, and umeshu. Furthermore, its subsidiary, Ou-Jidai, is also challenging itself with the production of cider and wine.

The company is now embarking on the development of "Shonai Whisky," utilizing the abundant water from the Gekkogawa river system and the delicate techniques cultivated through sake brewing. They are entering the Japanese whisky market, which has seen a surge in global demand in recent years. A subsidiary for the whisky business has been established, and Gekkogawa Distillery is set to open.

Gekkogawa Distillery is planned to be located in the Fukuura district of Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, a lush region surrounded by mountains (Mt. Chokai), rivers (Gekkogawa), and the sea (Sea of Japan).

The Gekkogawa river system, which will be used by the distillery, originates from the southern foothills of Mt. Chokai, straddling the border of Yamagata and Akita prefectures. Its spring water has been said to have brought blessings to the land for agriculture since ancient times. This subterranean water, revered as a guardian deity and having supported the food culture of Shonai, will be utilized for whisky distillation.

The concept development and design of the distillery will be handled by architect/artist Fumihiko Sano, and the product and logo design by Shogo Kishino. The distillery's design is currently under consideration, with a concept of "growing together" with the people involved, overlaying the passage of time in whisky maturation with the aging of wood.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2023, with distillery operations expected to commence around September of the same year. The sale of original single malt whisky is anticipated around 2027. Additionally, the sale of blended whisky is planned to begin around 2024.