Waka Liqueur Hajime - Winter "Herb & Spicy"

The taste of Hajime reveals itself as an aromatic and complex winter liqueur. A light herbal flavor, carried by dill, lemon verbena and marjoram, is brightened by the subtle sweetness of strawberry. At the same time, the tingling aroma of Japanese pepper adds vibrancy.

Waka Hajime is a great aperitif, pure, on ice, with soda or tonic. It is particularly exciting in a cocktail in combination with smoky spirits such as tequila or mezcal. They underline its spicy, earthy facets and at the same time emphasize the surprising sweetness of the strawberry. The result is a complex taste experience that is both warming and refreshing.

With the Waka liqueur series, the Kanegasaki Distillery presents an extraordinary project: four liqueurs that each capture a season in Japan in terms of aroma, taste and mood. Inspired by nature, the seasons and the subtle changes in the landscape, a collection has been created that harmoniously combines tradition and innovation.
Each of the four liqueurs tells its own story:
- Itsuki inspired by spring: fresh, citrusy and vibrant - with yuzu, cypress and subtle floral notes like a walk under blossoming spring trees.
- Shiori inspired by summer: Fruity, juicy and intense - ume meets shiso, cucumber and herbs, refreshing like a summer's day.
- Minori inspired by autumn: Rich, spicy and nostalgic - carried by apple, shiso, raspberry, cinnamon and roasted green tea, as warm as autumnal evening light.
- Hajime inspired by winter: Clear, spicy and earthy - with herbs, strawberry, chili and Japanese pepper, as powerful as the winter air after the harvest.

With Waka, the Kanegasaki Distillery creates more than just a range of liqueurs - it offers a sensual experience of the seasons that blossoms, matures, shines and becomes clear in every glass.

Japanese liqueur
Net quantity: 500 ml
Alcohol content: 24% vol.
For sale to persons of legal age only
Importer: Ginza Berlin GmbH, Pfalzburger Straße 20, 10719 Berlin

Kanegasaki Distillery was founded in 2021 in the nature-rich town of Kanegasaki in Iwate Prefecture. The company specializes in the production of Japanese herbal liqueurs that focus on the traditional flavours of the country. The focus is consistently on sustainability: fruit and vegetables grown in the prefecture that would be thrown away elsewhere are given a new purpose here.
Founder and CEO Kazuma Oikawa discovered his passion for herbal liqueurs while working as a bartender in Tokyo, where he got to know spirits from all over the world. He was fascinated by the world of flavors that herbal liqueurs offer and decided to start his own distillery one day. Today, his expertise flows into the development of his products, which reflect both the character of Japanese plants and international trends.

Around 50 different types of herbs grow on the company's own "KSP Medicinal Herb Farm", which are processed into high-quality liqueurs in combination with regional fruits. Popular products include WAKA liqueurs with Japanese flavors such as shiso, ume, sansho and yuzu, which highlight the diversity of roots and medicinal herbs.
With the aim of making Kanegasaki the home of Japanese herbal liqueurs and establishing the brand worldwide, Kanegasaki Distillery stands for quality, innovation and the responsible use of resources. The company will soon be moving to new premises. The local kindergarten in Kanegasaki, which has been empty for some time due to the decline in the birth rate, is currently being converted into a distillery and will be put into operation at the end of 2025.