Ikawa

Ikawa Distillery – Japanese Whisky Born in the Clouds

Ikawa Distillery is one of Japan’s most intriguing new whisky ventures, literally rising above the clouds. Perched at 1,200 metres altitude in Shizuoka’s Southern Alps – Japan’s highest whisky distillery – Ikawa is hidden deep within a vast private forest. Its parent company owns over 25,000 hectares of mountain land, part of a pristine UNESCO-recognised eco-park. This remote location provides a cool, humid climate averaging just ~7°C, similar to the Scottish Highlands — ideal for slow, patient maturation. Surrounded by misty cedars and ancient oaks, and drawing on alpine spring water, Ikawa crafts whiskies deeply shaped by nature. Despite only beginning production in 2020, its second-ever release was crowned Single Malt of the Year at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards – a serious signal of quality and vision.

From day one, Ikawa’s mission has been to capture the essence of its terroir. Owning its own forest allows the team to experiment with native woods for maturation. A 100-year-old chestnut tree from the estate became one of the first casks — with plans to expand into Mizunara and other indigenous timbers. Most spirit still matures in bourbon and sherry casks in mountain warehouses, where fog and cool air slow down evaporation, encouraging a slow, balanced maturation.

Every part of production is handled with near-clinical precision, guided by a philosophy of harmony. Fermentation uses diverse yeast strains, and a variety of distillates are matured from the start. The result: a rich spectrum of flavors from a single mountain. All water is drawn locally, and evaporation is gentle, allowing the whisky to evolve delicately over time.

Ikawa’s flagship “Dessin Series” highlights two house styles: Flora, a non-peated single malt celebrating the local alpine flowers, and Fauna, a lightly peated whisky themed after the Rock Ptarmigan of the Southern Alps. Flora 2024 is elegant, bright, and fruit-forward, while Fauna 2025 offers a beautifully smoky, complex profile that balances dark cherry, alpine herbs, and subtle minerality. Fauna went on to win Single Malt of the Year in 2025, firmly establishing Ikawa’s reputation.

Casa de Vinos is the exclusive Australian importer and distributor of Ikawa. We showcased their whiskies at Whisky Abbey, and now pour them by the nip at Casa de Vinos Lounge. For trade enquiries email wholesale@casadevinos.com.au. For corporate orders, contact sales@casadevinos.com.au.