Water DragonDistillery

Distillation units

The shape of distillation units greatly influences the quality of the spirits. To achieve our ideal spirit profile, we began with hand-drawn sketches and collaborated with Arnold Holstein, a renowned German manufacturer, to craft our distillation units. A standout feature is their ability to produce three types of spirits: whiskey, gin, and single-distilled shochu.

The distillation units consist of three components: a pot still, a rectification column, and botanical trays. The pot still is designed to maximize the flavors of raw ingredients. Its broad and low-center-of-gravity shape, coupled with a downward-facing line arm, allows for the creation of a diverse range of spirit profiles. Moreover, the line arm is adjustable, offering further flexibility in crafting various flavor characteristics.

The rectification column features 12 plates, which we use to refine and enhance the richness of the spirit with our proprietary techniques. Additionally, the botanical trays enable vapor extraction, making it possible to produce spirits like gin with exceptional depth and character.

The Water of Mishima City

Our distillery is located in the nature-rich city of Mishima, along the historic path leading to Mishima Taisha Shrine, known as “Izu Province’s Premier Shrine”. The water here has been recognized among Japan’s ‘Delicious Waters’ by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the “Top 100 Famous Waters” by the Ministry of the Environment, and the “Top 100 Water Villages” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Throughout the city, pristine groundwater from Mt. Fuji springs forth, and our brewing water is sourced from this same supply. The water, classified as soft with a hardness of 56, is characterized by its gentle and crystal-clear taste.

In American bourbon whiskey production, “limestone water” is famously used as hard water. In contrast, crafting whiskey with Mishima’s soft water represents the essence of our newly envisioned Japanese “Bourbon Whiskey” style.

The well water from our proprietary source maintains a consistent temperature of 18°C year-round, making it invaluable not only as brewing water but also as cooling water during fermentation and distillation. With this gift of water, a blessing from the town and Mt. Fuji, we are dedicated to delivering our spirits from Mishima to the world.