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Hanyu Distillery was located in a valley-like area near the River Torne, which is now an industrial area. Hanyu Distillery was founded in 1941 by Isouji Akuto, the 19th generation of the Akuto family, in the city of Hanyu.
They acquired a license in 1946, starting with steel continuous stills, then changing to copper ones. Their first product was their Golden Horse blended Whisky, made with their own grain Whisky and imported Scotch Whisky.
From 1980 to 2000, single malt production continued in Hanyu with two pot stills. In 2000 the company stopped Whisky production, and in 2004 the equipment was dismantled and sold to Ichiro Akuto. Whisky production failed to resume, but Akuto managed to save around 400 casks of single malt.
Hanyu used continuous stills for 40 years when producing their grain Whisky. In the 1980's, game changing pot stills were introduced, increasing the number of malt Whisky barrels.
Distillery info:
CountryJapan
Established1941
OwnerToa Shuzo Co. Ltd.
Visitor centerNo
StatusActive
AddressNishi 4-1-11, Hanyu-shi, Saitamaken, 348-0054 Japan