Sparkle Co., Ltd.
Invested in Behind the Cask LLC, which operates a whiskey bottler and distillery based in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
Supporting growth as a whiskey brand rooted in Hakodate
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Proclair HD Regional Co-Creation Fund Investment Limited Partnership, which is operated by Sparkle Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Representative Director Hideki Fukudome,
hereinafter “Sparkle”) as a general partner, is located in Hakodate City, Hokkaido. BEHIND THE CASK LLC (Headquarters: Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Representative Employee: Ryo Sawada, hereinafter referred to as BEHIND THE CASK) is a full-fledged independent bottler and will establish “D Tripper Distillery” this winter.・Casque”). Additionally, Behind the Cask has started crowdfunding today, December 1st. [Image 1
▼Background and purpose of investing in Behind the Cask Behind the Cask is a full-fledged independent bottler’s whiskey brand based in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The founder, Mr. Sawada, who has been involved in the production, quality control, and barrel management of whiskey and wine both domestically and overseas, selects excellent whiskeys and spirits from around the world for each barrel based on the craftsman’s philosophy he has cultivated. We import and sell.
In addition, Behind the Cask took over the former brewery upon the relocation of Noraku Co., Ltd., a Japanese wine manufacturing company, and established “D Tripper Distillery” in Motomachi, Hakodate City, one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations. I decided to do it. Behind the Cask’s challenge to launch a regionally-originated whiskey brand is a rare example even across the country, albeit on a small scale. We also hope that the distillery will take advantage of its convenient location and develop as a new tourism resource for Hakodate City.
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In addition to Behind the Cask’s past track record, Sparkle is expected to create a large impact on the region as the brand grows in the future, and is aligned with Sparkle’s investment policy and the purpose of the ProClaire HD regional co-creation fund. We have decided that this is a good match, and have therefore decided to make this investment. In the future, Sparkle will continue to support Behind the Cask so that it becomes a sustainable business rooted in the local community, and will work towards regional revitalization in Hokkaido. ▼ Crowdfunding has begun in preparation for the start of whiskey production In conjunction with the establishment of this distillery, Behind the Cask has begun crowdfunding today, December 1st. Thank you for your continued support.
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Project URL: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/692195?utm_campaign=cp_share_c_msg_projects_show The newly established Di Tripper Distillery is based on the expedition chronicle of Admiral M. Perry’s visit to Hakodate on his black ship. The name takes the “Di” from the English place name Hakodadi and represents the connection between visitors to Hakodate, travelers, the West and the East, and the past, present, and future. At this distillery, in addition to using only barley malt from Hokkaido in small batches of 6,000 liters per year as the main ingredient, we aim to produce whiskey with particular attention to taste and aroma by utilizing our skills as sommeliers. ▼Comment from Ryo Sawada of Behind the Cask LLC
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We are now operating Hakodate’s first whiskey bottler and distillery. I believe that we were able to get to this starting point not only through the efforts of our company, but also through the cooperation of many people, miraculous encounters, and timing. The Di Tripper Distillery, which will be operational with this investment, will be equipped with excellent craftsmen, raw materials, and equipment. We will finalize the unblended sake so that it can be completed within a year, and aim to release it at the end of 2024. Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage that must be aged, and of course we also grow unblended whiskey that is aged for 3, 5, and 10 years. Operation costs up to sales are necessary, but support through crowdfunding is also needed to grow long-term aged whiskey. I would like to ask for your cooperation once again.
▼Comment from Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, responsible for Sparkle Investment [Image 5
We recently invested in Behind the Cask. This is my first time investing in a startup in my hometown of Hakodate, and I am very happy to have been able to have this kind of relationship. While Hakodate City is famous nationwide as a tourist destination, it is facing the challenges of population decline and economic contraction to a greater extent than other regions, and I have been looking for something I can do for some time. Ta. During this time, I was able to meet an entrepreneur named Mr. Sawada, and I believe that we were given the chance to work together to liven up Hakodate. We will do our best to support the growth of Behind the Cask and, ultimately, to contribute to the development of Hakodate’s local economy by making De Tripper Distillery, which will be fully operational from next year, a presence that is loved by Hakodate City and tourists alike. Let me do it. ▼ Overview of invested company Company name: Behind the Cask LLC URL: https://www.behindthecask.com/ Address: 32-5 Motomachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido Representative: Ryo Sawada Business details: Planning, manufacturing, and production of whiskey Sales ▼ About Procrea HD Regional Co-Creation Fund Procrea HD Regional Co-Creation Fund is a region-specific investment formed on February 28, 2023, with Sparkle as a general partner and Aomori Bank and Michinoku Bank as limited partners. It is a fund that provides investment and support to companies located in the sales area of Procrea Holdings that have support needs such as startups, new business development, and business succession. ▼ Overview of Sparkle Co., Ltd.URL:
https://www.spurcle.jp/Head office location: 6-1 Shimizukoji, Sendai City, Miyagi PrefectureHead office: 201 Maison Jozenji, 3-4 Kasugacho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture Representative: Representative Director Hideki Fukudome Business details: ・Fund business・Incubation business・Consulting business