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Toa Shuzo has a long heritage in Japanese spirits-making and has been producing whisky since 1946. At its Hanyu Distillery, single malt production began in the 1980s and quickly built a strong reputation. However, during the industry downturn often referred to as the “whisky winter,” production was suspended around 2000, and single malt distillation remained on hold for roughly two decades.
A turning point came in 2021. New stills were built from the same original drawings, and distillation was restarted together with members of the team who had been there at the time of the shutdown.
The distillery’s legacy remains widely recognized today. For example, sets from the historic “Card Series” have appeared at auctions and achieved notable prices, reflecting the enduring appeal of Hanyu whisky.
In February 2025, Hanyu released its first post-restart single malt bottling, “Genesis,” the inaugural release in the series. Matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and bottled at 51% ABV, it sold out immediately upon release in Japan and is now available primarily through overseas markets.
Preparations are currently underway for the second “Genesis” release, which is expected to be offered in limited quantities.
To support the distillery’s restart, Hanyu has also partnered with UniCask in a new initiative. Leveraging UniCask’s patented, digitized ownership-management system, the distillery sells single malt casks and manages ownership using blockchain technology. By enabling the sale and trading of casks during maturation, this pioneering approach provides the distillery with a new sales channel and earlier monetization without waiting for full maturation, while making it easier for customers to own Hanyu casks.
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