Hong Kong’s Perfume Trees Gin makers are setting up Tankyu Distillery in Japan!
Kit Cheung and Joseph Cheung, founders of Tankyu Distillery and the makers of Hong Kong’s award-winning Perfume Trees Gin, are starting a new chapter in whisky and gin production in Higashikawa, Japan.
Perfume Trees Gin was launched in 2018 with the goal of capturing the heart and soul of Hong Kong in a bottle, infusing it with botanical notes like white champaca blossoms, sandalwood, 15-year-old aged tangerine peel, Long Jing green tea, and Chinese angelica. Since its inception, it has garnered multiple awards, including the 2020 World Gin Awards and the 2019 Gin Masters Asia (UK), as well as the 2019 World Gin Award (UK) for Best Contemporary Dutch Gin, and is now available internationally. Other products created by the group include Pale Ink, the world’s first sugar-free coffee liqueur, and thence honeyed liqueur series.
In 2020, Joseph and Kit began exploring locations to build Tankyu Distillery. Japan’s rich whisky production heritage as the ideal foundation for their venture, they chose Higashikawa, located in central Hokkaido, known for its pristine water sources, which are essential for producing high-quality spirits. The distillery has formed a partnership with the local government under a “public built, private operate” framework, which ensures vital support and investment in its infrastructure. This forward-thinking alliance allows the distillery to concentrate on its craft and innovative processes while benefiting from strong community support, seamlessly integrating Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage with Hokkaido’s exceptional natural resources.
Following four years of discussions and planning, construction of its distillery in Japan officially began in June 2024. The site in Higashikawa covers an area of 1,834 square meters, with a floor space of 507.96 square meters. It is surrounded by rice fields and is adjacent to the Michizakura Shuzou sake brewery. The project is expected to cost HKD 30,000,000. Once completed, the distillery will be the first in the area and will have the capacity to produce 40,000 liters annually.
The distillery is expected to be completed by the end of the year, allowing production to start in the first quarter of 2025. The distillery plans to distill its first batches of gin and whisky early in 2025, with gin expected to be ready for market release by the second quarter of 2025 due to a shorter maturation period. In contrast, the whisky will require at least three years of aging, with its first batch anticipated to be available in 2028.
As Tankyu Distillery continues its construction, it is inviting whisky enthusiasts to participate in an exclusive Private Cask Program. This unique opportunity allows consumers to select their own whisky casks from a selection of high-quality options, including Mizunara Hogshead, Certified Jerez Ex-Sherry Hogshead, and Ex-Bourbon Octave barrels. Additionally, for those interested in learning about the art and science of whisky production, a one-hour and 15-minute workshop (HK$168/person) is available every Wednesday and Saturday for three months. These sessions are led by co-founder Kit Cheung and take place in their tasting room at The Mills.
