History

Kishu-Kumano Distillery is located in the Kumano region of Wakayama Prefecture, surrounded by Kumano Kodo and the picturesque mountains. According to the pursuit of divine connection, the Kumano distillery was born in this terrain. The emblem is the three-legged 八咫烏 (Yatagarasu), regarded as a divine messenger. The Sakaki tree is described as the boundary between the world of the gods and the human world, and this connection was used as the name for their gin to link the Kumano region to their products. The distillery is located in the town of Kamitonda, near Kumano Kodo, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

Production / Manufacturing

Kumano Whisky is described as a blended whisky, in which Scotch malt whisky and Japanese malt whisky are blended and aged in Mizunara oak casks. The taste is described as a sweet, fruity character blended with a deep, complex flavor that comes from blending and aging in Mizunara oak.

Products / Whisky Series

Kumano Whisky

• Region: Japan
• ABV: 43%
• Style: Blended Whisky
• Size: 50 cl
• Description: Scotch malt whisky and Japanese malt whisky are blended and aged in Mizunara oak. Characterized by a sweet, fruity quality and a deep flavor that blends various flavor nuances.

Visits / Experiences

Kamitonda-cho lies in Wakayama not far from Kumano Kodo, an area that has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List (Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range) since 2004. Access notes for the site: the distillery is about a 30-minute walk from ASSO Station. The town of Kamitonda has around 15,000 inhabitants and is characterized by Kumano Kodo and the associated sacred sites around Kumano Sanzan.

Philosophy

The deep significance of nature in Kumano has long been seen as a place where the gods dwelt in secret, and the distillery conveys this idea through its products and its connection to the Kumano Kodo area. Yatagarasu and the Sakaki tree as symbols suggest a bridge between the world of the gods and the human world, which is also reflected in their approach to ingredients and flavor development. In addition to whisky, the distillery also produces gin (with the Sakaki series), which highlights the regional approach to Japanese botanical inspiration and the craft gin concept that has grown in Wakayama.