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Company Name: Oki no Hikari
Distillery & Co.
Founded: 1948
Address: 734 Nishizato, Hirara City, Miyako-gun
TEL: 09807-2-2245
FAX: 09807-3-7793 |
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This awamori with
a robust taste full of ancient flavor reflects the lives of the
men on Miyako Island.
The Oki no Hikari Distillery, located in the east part of the business
district in Hirara City on Miyako Island, attained its license in
April 1948. Founded by Tamekichi Koja, it is presently operated
under its second generation owner, Mitsuru Koja. The company was
named 'Oki no Hikari', in the hope of becoming a 'hikari'('light')
in Okinawa. The distillery, known as 'Kaneko no Sake' after its
store name, is planning to move its factory to expand its size.
The water on Miyako Island, drawn up from underground, is hard with
a high lime content. Water softening filtration is used for tap
water, resulting in a milder taste compared to the liquor produced
on Ishigakijima ('Ishigaki Island').
Oki no Hikari Distillery's motto is 'To make clear and refreshing
liquor'. The ratio of kusu stored at the company is relatively
high at 70%. Earthenware pots, enameled tanks, and stainless steel
tanks are all used for storage to give the liquor the unique awamori
fragrance. The 70 proof 10-year-old Black is an extremely attractive
vintage. The brand most popular with tourists is the 50 proof Getto
no Hana, sold in a 720ml bottle. It also comes in black bottles.
Unlike on the main Okinawa island, black bottles are common even
among women drinkers at bars and pubs on Miyako Island. They are
more acquainted with kusu, and many of them are experts.
Shigekazu Tomori, the master distiller of the Oki no Hikari Distillery
is an old hand with 45 years' experience. Oki no Hikari,
the fruit of a continuous challenge to 'speculate how much oil should
be filtered to remove odor', is a masculine liquor with a faint
fragrance of grain that is reminiscent of steamed malt. |
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