Sakhrani Distillery: the woman-led whisky distillery of Okinawa
Sakhrani Distillery is a whisky distillery on the Japanese island of Okinawa, founded in 2024 by Sabrina Sakhrani. The brand is now known as one of the few female-led whisky brands in the world and wins international awards with the distinctive Sakhrani Trilogy. Far removed from the traditional whisky strongholds of Scotland and Japan, Sakhrani is building a reputation in a short time as one of the most striking new names in the whisky world.
In short
| Set up | 2024, by Sabrina Sakhrani |
| Location | Ogimi, Yanbaru, Okinawa (Japan) |
| Master distiller | Ayako Ikehara (fifth generation) |
| Product line | Sakhrani Trilogy: Kuri, Mizunara and Sakura Edition |
| ABV | 47%, non-chill filtered, no added color |
| Most famous award | Blended Scotch of the Year, USA Spirits Ratings 2025 |
| Societal impact | A portion of every bottle goes to Ogimi Village |
A story that begins with a journey
Sabrina Sakhrani was born in Italy and has lived on Okinawa for 27 years. Before dedicating herself fully to whisky, she worked for eight years at Euromonitor International, where she studied consumer behavior across Asia. She combined that background in market insight with her love for Okinawa to create something new: a whisky that, in her view, offered a taste the world had not yet experienced. She officially founded Sakhrani in 2024, and now runs the brand as a family business together with her two sons.
For the craft itself, she collaborates with Ayako Ikehara, the master distiller of Sakhrani Distillery. Ikehara is at the helm of a family distilling tradition that dates back five generations, rooted in the Yanbaru region of Okinawa. That combination of international vision and deep-rooted local expertise is precisely what sets Sakhrani apart from other whisky brands.
Made in Ogimi, matured by two worlds
The distillery is located in Ogimi, a small village in the Yanbaru region known as "the village of long lives" and situated within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring subtropical rainforest, rich biodiversity, and soft mountain water. This setting is not merely a backdrop: the climate and the water play a direct role in the character of Sakhrani's Okinawa whisky.
What makes Sakhrani technically special is the double maturation. The base blend is first aged in Scotland before traveling to Okinawa to undergo its final, defining phase in Japanese wood casks. The subtropical climate of Okinawa accelerates and deepens that maturation in a way that is simply not possible in Scotland.
The Sakhrani Trilogy
The core range of Sakhrani Distillery consists of three editions, each finished in a different Japanese wood and each with a distinct flavor profile. All three are 47% ABV, non-chill filtered, and without added coloring.
The Kuri Edition ages in chestnut wood and brings notes of peach, caramel, and roasted chestnut. The Mizunara Edition, Matured in the famous Japanese oak, it delivers warm spices, incense, and sandalwood. The Sakura Edition, Finished on cherry blossom wood, it is the most delicate of the three, with floral and fruity accents reminiscent of the Japanese cherry blossom season.
Recognition and involvement
Despite the brand's young age, the accolades are already piling up. At the USA Spirits Ratings 2025, the Kuri Edition was named Blended Scotch of the Year, and both the Mizunara Edition and the Kuri Edition took home gold. Gold and silver were also won at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2026, with a silver medal for the Sakura Edition.
However, Sakhrani is not solely focused on awards and international distribution. A portion of every bottle sold goes to Ogimi Village, supporting traditional crafts and the well-being of the local community. It is a way to give back to the place and the people who help shape the whisky, and it fits the brand's broader narrative: legacy, craftsmanship, and female leadership, interwoven with the nature of Okinawa.
Why Sakhrani is worth visiting
In a whisky world that often relies on centuries-old traditions, Sakhrani Distillery is a refreshing exception: young, female-led, and rooted in a place rarely associated with whisky. Yet, in a short time, the brand has gained recognition from international juries, while simultaneously remaining true to its local roots in Ogimi. For those who love whiskies with a story, and flavors they haven't tasted before, Sakhrani Distillery is one to keep an eye on.
Would you like to taste the Sakhrani Trilogy yourself? At Mood4Whisky you will find all three editions: the Kuri Edition, the Mizunara Edition, and the Sakura Edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sakhrani Distillery?
Sakhrani Distillery is a female-led whiskey distillery on Okinawa, Japan, founded in 2024 by Sabrina Sakhrani, with Ayako Ikehara as master distiller.
Where is Sakhrani whisky made?
The whisky undergoes its final maturation in Ogimi, in the Yanbaru region of Okinawa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The base blend first matures in Scotland and is then aged in Okinawa in Japanese wood casks.
What is the Sakhrani Trilogy?
The Sakhrani Trilogy is the brand's core product line and consists of three editions: the Kuri Edition (chestnut wood), the Mizunara Edition (Japanese oak), and the Sakura Edition (cherry blossom wood). All three are 47% ABV.
Which awards has Sakhrani Distillery won?
The Kuri Edition was named Blended Scotch of the Year at the USA Spirits Ratings 2025. At the same competition, the Mizunara Edition and the Kuri Edition won gold. Gold and silver followed at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2026, with silver for the Sakura Edition.
Is Sakhrani Distillery socially involved?
Yes. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold goes to Ogimi Village, in support of traditional crafts and the well-being of the local community.
