New & Exclusive in Mizunara: The Rising Stars of Japanese Craft Spirits - Wakashio Distillery
Attention connoisseurs and curious sippers: if your liquor cabinet is calling for something truly novel, your search ends here. We’re thrilled to introduce one of Japan’s best-kept secrets, now available for the first time at Mizunara—Wakashio Distillery.
Step beyond the familiar and explore the next generation of Japanese craft spirits, born from the artistry of Kagoshima’s Wakashio Distillery. Celebrated for its premium shochu, innovative gin, and groundbreaking F-Spirits, Wakashio is redefining the boundaries of tradition and experimentation.
The Spirit of Collaboration: Five Distilleries, One Vision
Established in 1968, Wakashio Distillery (若潮酒造) is no ordinary operation. It’s a dynamic collaboration among five local shochu producers in Kagoshima, united by a philosophy of “diversity.” This partnership allows each distillery to contribute its unique regional traits and expertise, resulting in spirits that are both exceptional and deeply appealing.
Imagine a supergroup of master distillers, each elevating the other to create something greater than the sum of its parts. This collective drive fuels their bold innovations and uncompromising quality.
A World First: The Artisanal Wooden Pot Still Gin
While rooted in shochu-making tradition, Wakashio’s vision is decidedly forward-looking. Their most striking innovation? The world’s first gin distilled in a traditional wooden pot still.
Moving beyond conventional copper, Wakashio uses a custom-made kamejiru—a wooden still traditionally reserved for shochu. This ancient method yields a spirit with a soft, rounded mouthfeel and nuanced complexity that copper alone cannot achieve. The gin is then skillfully blended with a distillate from a small copper still, harmonizing heritage with contemporary craft.
Botanicals read like a love letter to Kagoshima: yuzu, green tea, sakura leaf, and peppercorn, among others. The result is a fragrant, elegant, and utterly distinctive gin that deserves a place on any aficionado’s shelf.
Beyond Tradition: The Revolutionary "F-Spirits"
The most captivating part of the Wakashio story may be their F-Spirits (Flavored Spirits) collection. Here, the distillery fully unleashes its creativity. Using high-grade base spirits—often kokuto shochu made from rich brown sugar—they infuse them with real, natural ingredients to create an entirely new category of spirit.
Picture a drink with the depth of fine shochu and the aromatic delight of a fruit liqueur, but without excessive sweetness. Options include vibrant Yuzu, lush Blueberry, refreshing Shiso, and exotic Ginger & Turmeric. These are not mere liqueurs; they are sophisticated, balanced, and versatile enough to enjoy neat, on the rocks, or as the foundation of inventive cocktails.
The Trendy Shochu Foundation
At the heart of Wakashio lies their exceptional shochu. As a collaborative of Kagoshima specialists, their offerings are masterclasses in the form. From smooth, savory sweet potato (imo) expressions to rich, caramel-infused brown sugar (kokuto) varieties, their shochu is the foundation supporting all their innovations. It offers a perfect introduction to Kagoshima’s esteemed shochu culture.
Your Journey with Wakashio Starts at Mizunara
Wakashio Distillery embodies the vibrant future of Japanese craft spirits—honoring centuries of technique while pioneering new paths. Their portfolio spans the comfort of tradition and the thrill of innovation.
We’re proud to offer a curated selection of Wakashio’s finest releases, from the world-first wooden pot still gin to their deliciously inventive F-Spirits.
Ready to discover your new favorite spirit? Explore the exclusive range of Wakashio Distillery bottles now available at Mizunara.
Shop the Wakashio Collection
