The choice of founder Masataka Taketsuru for production in the far north of Japan is based on Scotland's similar weather conditions. The average winter temperature is 7° lower and the summer temperature is 9° higher than in Scotland. This slows down the aging process in winter and accelerates it in summer. This is a blend of Pot Still whisky (Yoichi and Miyagikyou) and Column Still whisky (Miyagikyou). Both types of stills were, quite unique, fed with malted barley. A' malt blend' as it were.
