Collection
Sakhrani
Sakhrani whisky comes from a women-led whisky house in Ogimi, in the Yanbaru forests of northern Okinawa. Founder Sabrina Sakhrani launched the brand in 2024, with Ayako Ikehara, from a Yanbaru family of distillers, as master distiller. This collection features the three editions of The Trilogy: Mizunara, Sakura and Kuri.
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The base is a proprietary blend matured in Scotland, which is then finished on Okinawa in a Japanese wood: mizunara oak, cherry wood or chestnut wood. All three are bottled at 47% ABV, non-chill-filtered and without added colouring.
Read the story of Sakhrani or browse all the whisky in our Japan collection.
Who is behind Sakhrani whisky?
Two women, each with her own role. Founder Sabrina Sakhrani, born in Italy, launched the brand in 2024 and built the distillery in Ogimi on Okinawa. Master distiller Ayako Ikehara comes from a family that has distilled in Yanbaru for generations. Sakhrani describes itself explicitly as made by women, and part of the proceeds goes to local initiatives in Ogimi.
Why is Sakhrani finished on Okinawa?
Because the climate and the wood shape its final character there. After maturing in Scotland, the blend travels to Okinawa, where the subtropical climate, with warmth and high humidity, strongly shapes the interaction between whisky and wood. There each edition is finished in a Japanese wood. The water comes from Ogimi, in the Yanbaru forests, which are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What do cherry wood and chestnut wood bring to Sakhrani whisky?
Each brings its own accent. Cherry wood gives the Sakura Edition a floral, light style with cherry blossom, pomegranate and soft vanilla. Chestnut wood, kuri in Japanese, makes the Kuri warm and earthy, with caramel, peach and gentle spice. Both woods are rarely used in the whisky world, so these two editions taste clearly different from a classic oak finish.
Which awards has Sakhrani whisky won?
All three editions have won medals. At the USA Spirits Ratings 2025 the Kuri took gold and the title Blended Scotch of the Year, the Mizunara gold and the Sakura silver. At the Bartender Spirits Awards 2026 the Kuri won gold with 93 points, the Mizunara gold with 92 points and the Sakura silver with 86 points. For a brand that only launched in 2024, that is a remarkable debut.
Which Sakhrani should you choose as a gift?
Choose according to the taste of the person you are treating. The Sakura Edition is light and elegant and suits someone who enjoys soft, fruity whisky. The Kuri is warm and rounded, a safe choice for lovers of sweet whisky. The Mizunara is complex and spicy, with incense and sandalwood, for the experienced taster. Pair the bottle with a tulip-shaped whisky glass for a complete gift.