- Jun 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Pernod Ricard’s premium Japanese gin brand KI NO BI is investing in a new carbon-neutral, increased-capacity distillery.
The new distillery, located in Kameoka City in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture, is being built due to growing demand for Japanese gin – with exports of the spirit reaching record levels. The result of a €25 million investment, the facility will increase KI NO BI’s gin production capacity by at least five times.
The facility will use a new efficient boiler that will be powered entirely by renewable electricity, such as wind, water, solar and geothermal energy.
Antonio Sanchez Villareal, managing director of The Kyoto Distillery [owned by Pernod Ricard and owner of KI NO BI], said: “This is a pivotal moment for all of us at The Kyoto Distillery and our beloved KI NO BI gin as the brand prepares for future growth amid the strong demand for Japanese gin and Japanese craft spirits.”
He continued: “The construction of a new state-of-the-art carbon-neutral distillery shows our firm commitment to both safety and sustainability, and we are very happy that as part of Pernod Ricard, we can make this strategic investment in our brand”.
To commemorate the start of construction, a traditional Japanese ground-breaking ceremony was held by a Shinto Shrine master blessing the ground to ensure smooth construction and the future prosperity of the distillery.
Hiroyuki Nagai, head of distillery operations and strategic projects at The Kyoto Distillery, added: “We are thrilled to see the start of construction for our new distillery. Our farm-to-consumer philosophy, using local botanicals and ingredients, will remain. KI NO BI is a brand with a very Japanese heart and an artisanal spirit made with obsessive attention to detail. Our journey that began in 2016 evolves as we aim to capitalise on the opportunity to grow our global market share as an ultra-premium gin of choice."
Read more about The Kyoto Distillery and the global rise of Asian spirits in this FoodBev feature.
The new distillery is slated to open in the autumn of 2025.
