JAPAN. Global drinks giant Diageo has invested in Komasa Kanosuke Distillery, a producer of ultra-premium, single-malt whiskies based in Kagoshima, Japan.
The investment was made through independently-operated and Diageo-backed drinks accelerator Distill Ventures.
Diageo’s investment will enable increased whisky production capacities, new product development and the expansion of international sales and marketing teams as the Japanese distillery gears up for the next stage of growth.
The investment agreement will see a 50/50 joint-venture ownership structure with Diageo subject to the distillery’s future performance. Up until that point, Diageo and Distill Ventures will support Komasa Kanosuke with their global expertise and capabilities.
Komasa Kanosuke was established in 2017 by Komasa Jyozo Co., a company that produces traditional Japanese spirit Shochu. The Komasa family have been producing Shochu for 138 years and have brought this maturation expertise to the world of whisky.
Komasa Kanosuke Distillery released its first single malt whisky in June. The three year-old expression is the first among a series of limited cask-strength releases to be launched before the unveiling of the distillery’s flagship single malt brand in 2022.
“We are honoured that Komasa Kanosuke Distillery has joined the Distill Ventures portfolio,” commented Diageo Asia Pacific and Global Travel President Sam Fischer. “Diageo has long heritage and expertise in whisky with many of our brands reflecting the work of generations of the same family. We are excited to be supporting this high-quality brand in the fast-growing Japanese whisky category, with the next stage of its growth and development.”
The distillery’s single malt whiskies are distilled, matured and bottled in Kyushu Island in Southern Japan. The distillery is located on Japan’s longest beach and features a striking tasting room called The Mellow Bar, which was designed to allow visitors to enjoy the distillery’s whiskies while facing the sunset over the East China Sea.
Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Founder and CEO Yoshigutsa Komasa added, “We are proud of our accomplishments to date, including the barrel-ageing and other production techniques developed during Komasa Jyozo’s long history of Shochu production and the awards we have won in both domestic and international competitions.
“Now, with the strong and strategic support from global alcoholic beverages leader Diageo and Distill Ventures through this partnership, we are very happy that we will be able to pursue growing our business further and provide more whisky drinkers in Japan and worldwide with Japanese craft whiskies from Kanosuke Distillery.”
As with all brands in the Distill Ventures’ portfolio, Founders Komasa Jyozo Co. will retain majority ownership and control of the Komasa Kanosuke Distillery and lead production, marketing and sales.
Komasa Kanosuke joins a stellar line-up in the Distill Ventures portfolio including: Staunin whisky from Denmark, Starward whisky from Australia, Westward American single malt whiskey from Oregon.
“It’s a proud moment for us to have entered into this partnership with this exciting new distillery,” added Distill Ventures CEO Frank Lampen. “Yoshitsugu Komasa and his team are producing wonderful whiskies in a stunning distillery with one of the most beautiful tasting rooms anywhere in the world, and we’re excited to assist him and the team in introducing Kanosuke Distillery to whisky drinkers around the world.”
