About the distillery : Iejima Distillery is a young factory since it only exists since 2011. It is located on the island of Iejima, west of the main island of Okinawa. Historically, it is a relatively poor place in Japan because the lack of water in these semi-tropical regions has never allowed the cultivation of rice. In contrast, sugar cane has been grown locally since 1630. It is from this local cane that a former Awamori distiller produces Santa Maria rum. The factory policy is very clear: to intervene as little as possible on the steps before distillation (no refrigeration of fermentation tanks for example). The idea being that by working as naturally as possible, the soul of the island of Iejima will be transmitted to rum and will allow it to travel outside the limits of the island.