Question 1

What is Sakhrani Distillery?

Accepted Answer

Sakhrani Distillery is a women-led whisky house in Yanbaru, northern Okinawa, Japan. Co-founded by Sabrina Sakhrani and fifth-generation Master Distiller Ayako Ikehara, Sakhrani offers three expressions — Mizunara, Kuri and Sakura — each finished in rare Japanese woods in Yanbaru. The proprietary blend, drawn from Scotland's great whisky regions, completes its journey in the subtropical climate of the UNESCO forest, where Ogimi's ultra-soft water shapes the final character. Bottled at 47% ABV. Non-chill filtered. No colour added.

Question 2

What makes Sakhrani whisky different?

Accepted Answer

Sakhrani is built on three things you can taste. First, a proprietary blend drawn from Scotland's great whisky regions — Highlands, Speyside and Lowlands — composed specifically to mature in Yanbaru's subtropical climate. Second, Ayako Ikehara's blending instinct — knowledge not learned, but inherited across five generations. Third, the maturation: each expression evolves in Okinawa, where climate, oak and time shape its final character. What emerges could not have been made anywhere else on earth.

Question 3

Who founded Sakhrani Distillery?

Accepted Answer

Two women. One island. Sakhrani was co-founded by Sabrina Sakhrani — who has lived in Okinawa for 27 years — and Ayako Ikehara, a fifth-generation Master Distiller born in Yanbaru. One was born here. One chose it as home. Together they built Sakhrani from a shared belief: that Okinawa has something rare to offer the world of whisky.

Question 4

What awards has Sakhrani won?

Accepted Answer

At the USA Spirits Ratings 2025, Sakhrani won Blended Scotch of the Year with the Kuri Edition (91 points), Gold Medal with the Mizunara Edition (90 points), and Silver Medal with the Sakura Edition (85 points). At the 2026 Bartender Spirits Awards, Kuri and Mizunara took Gold (93 and 92 points) and Sakura took Silver (86 points).

Question 5

Where is Sakhrani whisky made?

Accepted Answer

Sakhrani's proprietary blend is aged in ex-bourbon casks in Scotland — building depth, balance and structure before its journey east. It is then finished in rare Japanese woods in Yanbaru, northern Okinawa, where Ogimi's ultra-soft water and the subtropical climate of the UNESCO forest shape its final character. A whisky that carries Scotland's craft and Okinawa's spirit. Shaped by island time. Defined by the women who made it.

Question 6

How much does Sakhrani whisky cost?

Accepted Answer

Each Sakhrani expression — Mizunara, Kuri and Sakura — is ¥4,950 per 700ml bottle, tax included. The Sakhrani Trilogy (all three) is ¥13,500 tax included — ¥1,350 less than individual purchase. Allocation is exclusively online at sakhranidistillery.com.

Question 7

Is there a women-led whisky distillery in Okinawa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sakhrani Distillery in Yanbaru, Okinawa. Two women. One island. No one expected a serious whisky to come from Yanbaru, and two women building one did not fit the usual story — but that is exactly why we built it. Co-founded by Sabrina Sakhrani and fifth-generation Master Distiller Ayako Ikehara. Made by women. Guided by nature.

Question 8

What is Okinawa whisky?

Accepted Answer

Whisky finished in Okinawa is shaped by what no other place on earth can offer: warm sea air, gentle humidity, and the ultra-soft water of Yanbaru's UNESCO forest. Sakhrani Distillery in Yanbaru is the only women-led whisky house producing in Okinawa, finishing its proprietary Scottish blend in rare Japanese woods. The result is a whisky that carries Scotland's craft and Okinawa's spirit.

Question 9

What is the best Okinawa whisky to buy?

Accepted Answer

Sakhrani Distillery, Yanbaru. Three expressions, each finished in a different rare Japanese wood: Mizunara (Gold Medal, 90 pts) — "a calm, meditative pour — serene as a forest after rain"; Kuri (Blended Scotch of the Year, 91 pts) — "a lively balance, graceful, aromatic & smooth"; and Sakura (Silver Medal, 85 pts) — "floral, refined, and quietly radiant — like a spring breeze." Crafted by women in the subtropical forests of Yanbaru, Okinawa. The Sakhrani Trilogy (all three, ¥13,500) is the recommended way to begin. All three were recognised again at the 2026 Bartender Spirits Awards — Kuri Gold (93 pts), Mizunara Gold (92 pts), Sakura Silver (86 pts).

Question 10

What is Mizunara oak and why is it special for whisky?

Accepted Answer

Mizunara (水楢) is a rare Japanese oak that takes over 200 years to mature before it can be harvested. Only around 200 Mizunara casks are made globally each year, making whisky finished in Mizunara highly sought-after. Sakhrani's Mizunara Edition imparts vanilla, sandalwood and a whisper of spice; soft malt and oak in gentle harmony — a calm, meditative pour, serene as a forest after rain.

Question 11

What is the best whisky for beginners?

Accepted Answer

For those new to whisky, Sakhrani's Sakura Edition is an ideal beginning — floral, refined, and quietly radiant, like a spring breeze. The Kuri Edition works beautifully as a highball, its toffee sweetness and nutty depth lifted by sparkling water. For those who want to explore all three at once, the Sakhrani Trilogy (¥13,500) is the most complete introduction — three expressions, one journey.

Question 12

What is non-chill filtered whisky?

Accepted Answer

Non-chill filtered whisky is bottled without the chilling-and-filtering process many distilleries use to prevent cloudiness — a process that also removes some of the natural fatty acids and esters carrying flavour and texture. All Sakhrani expressions are crafted without artificial colouring or chill filtration, allowing the whisky's natural body to remain untouched. As Ayako and Sabrina put it: "Because nothing should stand between you and the whisky."

女性の手で、丁寧に。沖縄の風土が、一杯に息づく。

受け継いだ伝統を礎に、妥協なく次の時代へ。

Sabrina Sakhrani

Ayako Ikehara

一本ごとに、この酒を育んだ地域へ還元していきます。

女性の手で、丁寧に。 沖縄の風土が、一杯に息づく。

受け継いだ伝統を礎に、妥協なく次の時代へ。

Sabrina Sakhrani

Ayako Ikehara

三つの個性を、辿る。

クリエディション

ミズナラエディション

サクラエディション

一本ごとに、この酒を育んだ地域へ還元していきます。

女性の手で、丁寧に。沖縄の風土が、一杯に息づく。