A new craft spirits distillery, Distillery Drift Mark, is set to open on the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture on June 13, 2026. The facility is operated by AMA Whiskey&Co., which becomes the inaugural member of the Whiskey&Co. Brands Network — a nationwide network of urban micro-distilleries developed by Tokyo-based Whiskey&Co.
Before the distillery's doors even open, AMA Whiskey&Co.'s craft gin "GodSpirits" has already garnered international recognition. Made with botanicals sourced from the Oki region, the gin received a silver medal at The Gin Masters 2025, organized by the UK's The Spirits Business magazine, as well as a silver at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2026 — Asia's largest spirits competition.
A Distillery Born on the Island of the Gods
The Oki Islands, described in Japan's oldest chronicle the Kojiki as "the island of the gods," provide the setting for this new distillery. Drawing on the island's landscape, local ingredients, and community ties, Distillery Drift Mark focuses on producing Japanese bourbon-style whiskey — still a rare style in Japan — alongside craft gins and other spirits.
Opening alongside the distillery on the same day is "Drifter's Cafe & Bar," an attached café and bar space where visitors can enjoy GodSpirits gin as well as whiskey and gin from fellow Whiskey&Co. Brands Network member Distillery Water Dragon, located in Mishima, Shizuoka.
A Hub for Locals and Visitors Alike
Distillery Drift Mark is envisioned as more than just a production facility. The distillery aims to become a gathering place where residents of Ama-cho and visitors to the island can come together, experience the craft of distilling up close, taste the products, and connect with the makers and the culture of the Oki Islands.
Distillery Drift Mark is located at 1345-1 Fukui, Ama-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture.
