Akkeshi Distillery is located on the eastern side of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Alongside Nikka Yoichi Distillery, Mr. Keiichi Higata, the CEO of the distillery, has a great fondness for Islay whiskies. One time, while visiting a bar in Ginza, Japan, he tasted Ardbed 17 Year Old, an unforgettable peated whisky from Islay. This experience left a lasting impression on him, and he wanted to create a distillery that could produce similar whiskies.

The chosen location for the distillery was based on finding conditions similar to Islay's climate. Hokkaido experiences temperatures as low as -8 degrees Celsius in winter and as high as 22.8 degrees Celsius in summer, resulting in a significant temperature difference of nearly 30 degrees. It is close to the sea and surrounded by wetlands, making it an ideal place to produce peaty whiskies. The region is also known for its abundant oyster production, which pairs perfectly with Islay whiskies.

After negotiations with local officials in 2010, the distillery was officially established in 2014, with the company behind it named "Kendiatech Corporation." Originally based in Tokyo, the company specialized in importing various food ingredients and exporting whiskies. Due to Mr. Higata's passion for whisky, the company expanded its whisky export business. As the business grew and the export volume of Japanese whisky decreased, they decided to invest in their own distillery to create their own brand. The distillery, located in Akkeshi Town, was named after its location. It currently has three maturation warehouses.

The Akkeshi Distillery employs unique maturation techniques and continuously conducts experiments. They use a variety of cask types, including wine and rum casks, as well as Mizunara oak casks, Cognac casks, and even noble rot wine casks, to create distinct flavors in their whiskies.