Since its launch in 2018, Perfume Trees Gin has captivated fans with flavors inspired by Hong Kong. Though distilled in the Netherlands, founders Kit Cheung and Joseph Cheung ensured the botanicals, such as the white champaca tree, aged mandarin peel, and Longjing tea, reflected the aromas of their home city. In addition to their award-winning gin, the duo expanded their product line with the coffee liqueur Pale Ink, made in collaboration with Hong Kong’s Urban Coffee Roaster, and a range of fruit-flavored elixirs called Thence.
In early 2025, production will move closer to home as they open a new facility, Tankyu Distillery, in Higashikawa, Japan, a town in Hokkaido known for its pristine water from Mount Daisetsu. This new location will allow them to craft a new gin that celebrates their Japanese surroundings, while still maintaining the signature techniques behind Perfume Trees.
Beyond gin, the Cheungs are planning a second version of Pale Ink, collaborating with a Japanese coffee roaster. Their most ambitious project, however, is the launch of their first whisky by 2028, marking a decade since the inception of Perfume Trees Gin. After three years of maturation, their whisky will be ready, fulfilling a long-held dream.
Building the distillery has been a significant challenge, especially in the aftermath of Covid and a weakened economy. The HK$30 million (US$3.85 million) distillery will occupy 1,834 square meters and have an annual output capacity of up to 76,000 liters. The project operates under the model of “publicly built, privately operated,” with the local government in Higashikawa providing substantial support for its construction.
Joseph Cheung has spent the past 18 months working closely with local authorities, while Kit Cheung, humorously noting that he lost a game of rock-paper-scissors to determine who would manage the Japanese operations, remains enthusiastic about the site’s suitability. Higashikawa’s water, filtered through layers of rock as snow melts from Mount Daisetsu, is considered perfect for distilling.
The pair also introduced an exclusive Private Cask Programme, offering Mizunara, ex-sherry, and ex-bourbon barrels to whisky collectors. With long-term aspirations to build a legacy similar to centuries-old distilleries, they hope Tankyu will continue producing spirits long after their lifetimes.
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