Akkeshi Shōsho

Description

Akkeshi Shōsho: Bottling Note

Akkeshi Shōsho* Single Malt Japanese Whisky, from the Akkeshi Distillery in Hokkaido, was released as part of the “Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series.” Shōsho (小暑) is the 11th term in the series, representing the Minor Heat of summer around July 7th.

The key malt for Akkeshi Shōsho is exclusively Hokkaido-sourced whisky (Hokkaido malt, distilled at Akkeshi, and matured in Hokkaido Mizunara oak casks). Although the Mizunara cask influence is not overwhelming, the high-quality Hokkaido Mizunara wood certainly imparts complex and deep flavors to the whisky.

While retaining Akkeshi’s signature peat flavor, this single malt stands out within the series for its prominent fruitiness and saltiness. It has the softness and depth typical of Japanese whiskies, resulting in a well-balanced flavor profile.

*Akkeshi also has a similarly named product, “Shosho Blended Japanese Whisky,” but this page refers to the “Shōsho Single Malt Japanese Whisky.” While both whiskies are sometimes written as “Shosho,” the correct spelling for the single malt on this page is “Shōsho.”

Akkeshi Shōsho Tasting Note

Nose: Banana juice, grapefruit, bacon and egg galette, prosciutto and melon.

Palate: A smooth texture. Salt and Ōgontō (a type of traditional Japanese rock candy), lime-like citrus, gingerbread, white pepper.

Finish: A refreshing scent of peat and saltiness passes through the nose, with the tingling sensation of white pepper, tobacco, and a lingering, complex sweetness and acidity.

Overall: This is truly the essence of Akkeshi’s character. It’s based on a smoky framework reminiscent of Islay malts, but coexists with the mellow and complex flavors derived from the Hokkaido Mizunara casks. It’s a surprisingly simple and mild peated whisky that one finds themselves having finished before realizing it. While it lacks the imposing presence of previous releases like Bōshu or Keichitsu, it is cohesive and extremely well-executed.