ABOUT US
Ken Kon Itteki, or KKI, translates from Japanese as 乾坤一擲, meaning “betting everything in one shot" or “playing for all-or-nothing." This motto encapsulates our philosophy as a company: to embrace necessary risks in our adventures to create products imbued with passion and energy. KKI is the brainchild of four individuals hailing from different countries, cultures, and languages, united by a shared vision and connection.
Our diverse backgrounds enrich our approach and foster creativity, allowing us to craft unique offerings that resonate with a global audience. KKI is the brainchild of four individuals hailing from different countries, cultures, and languages, united by a shared vision and connection. Our diverse backgrounds enrich our approach and foster creativity, allowing us to craft unique offerings that resonate with a global audience. It creates an atmosphere where individuals can enjoy precious moments together.
With its growing popularity worldwide, we aspire to facilitate memorable experiences for people to gather and savor our exceptional gin. We are committed to using locally sourced materials to produce our distinctive gin, honoring the various cultures and flavors each country has to offer. This approach not only enhances the quality of our product but also fosters a sense of respect for the traditions and practices of the regions we draw from.
Taiwan and Japan share a multifaceted relationship characterized by mutual respect and understanding, despite their complex regional history. Their long-standing cultural and historical ties, rooted in East Asia, have created a foundation for collaboration while acknowledging their differences. Just like the bond between good friends, a relationship built on trust and respect can lead to stronger connections.
At KKI, we believe that by finding common ground and celebrating each other’s unique strengths, we can forge stronger relationships. Our diverse team has brought our gins to life, exemplifying how differences can unite us in creating something extraordinary. Join us on this journey to connect people through the spirit of gin, one memorable moment at a time.
Our Team Member
(From Left to Right) Hugo (Taiwan) Kenneth (America) Kaiyu (Hong Kong) Iwata (Japan)
Hugo – Born in Hualien, Hugo Peng Yu-Jung graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in Life Sciences. He previously worked as a journalist for CommonWealth Magazine and a contributing reporter for News&Market, earning the Asian Excellence in Journalism Award.
In 2012, he founded Huatung Market, an agricultural product and processed food sales platform, developing eco-friendly products such as pomelo peel candy and “Naughty Mountain Boar” corn sticks. These products were sold in Eslite Bookstore, SOGO City’super, and 7-11, as well as exported to Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, with an annual revenue of approximately NT$12 million. The Huatung Market brand was sold in 2018.
Following this, he joined Galilee Travel Group as a special assistant to the COO and later became a full-time European tour leader while assisting the company’s digital transformation. After the pandemic in 2020, he focused on domestic tourism, designing travel experiences in the Hualien-Taitung region by integrating local culture, food, and agriculture.
He served as the curator of the 2020 Lovely Taiwan Foundation Agriculture Project Seven-Year Exhibition and as the executive secretary of the Jianjen Environmental Education Foundation.
In recent years, he has actively invested in and mentored local teams. He co-founded WOW Hualien Youth Hostel and has served as a business development and strategy consultant for Fishbar and local farmers’ associations.
In 2021, he co-founded the Resonance Psychiatric Clinic in Taipei’s Da’an District and Clinking, a cloud-based medical booking system, serving as co-founder and COO.
In 2022, he co-founded Nong Distillery, obtaining a distillery license to produce Taiwanese gin, rum, and brandy. He developed the Hualien Trilogy Gins, including Ruisui Wuhe Pomelo Blossom Oolong Gin, Fishbar Qixingtan Bonito Gin, and Hualien Valencia Orange Gin, which won awards at the 2023 International Gin Competition.
In 2023, he co-founded Ken Kon Itteki Spirits (KKI Spirits) in Tokyo, launching gin production in Japan and entering the Japanese market.
In 2024, he founded Dalle Muse Aesthetic Clinic near Anhe Road in Taipei’s Da’an District, serving as its founder and COO.
Kenneth – Having spent 20 years in Taiwan, Ken has honed his skills as an educator, homecook and purveyor of food and cocktails. His experiences has led to creating cocktails for Happy Hour events for start-up co-working spaces and the tech community in Taipei. Ken continued the events as a guest bartender at the Woolloomoolo bar and eventually recruited to work on several recipes for a distillery. His recipes has won awards and recognition for 3 of their labels. He hopes to continue his efforts with KKI and make even better products for the world to enjoy.
Kaiyu – as known as “Mic Gor" or “Michael" , just an Alcoholic.
Shinya – He represents KK ITTEKI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. and has many roles within the company. He was born and raised in Japan and has many experiences worldwide. Having spent a decade in Canada, he is able to work comfortably in multi-cultural projects. He has a strong art & design background and has spent many years as a designer and producer, especially in the field of communication and education.
His contribution to KKI is managing production, distribution and sales relations in Japan as well as over looking design and promotion on all products made locally and internationally.
KKI 