The Akkeshi Usui Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

New from the Akkeshi Distillery on Hokkaido (easily confused with, but nothing to do with 'Akashi'). 'Usui', meaning 'rainwater', is the second season in the distillery's series of twenty four 'Sekki' - Japan's distinctive cycle of seasons. A blend of malt and grain whiskies, more than half is malt from Akkeshi, the rest being imported as aged grain. According to a label, "The sweet and fragrant peat of Akkeshi malt combined with the lightness of the grain makes it gorgeous and never gets tired of drinking."

Beginning in 2016 and owned by Kenten Co, an import-export company, Akkeshi's President, Keichi Toita is a long-time whisky aficionado. Located further east than any other distillery in the country in the district of Hokkaido, in Japan’s northern wilderness, the house style is inspired by Islay. Two Forsyths stills, a 5000 litre wash still and 3600 litre spirit still are steam heated and feature declining lyne arms into shell-and-tube condensers. Two warehouses are on site, while another two are closer to the sea. The idea is to work out the differences in the maturation environments. The first single malt proper - Sarorunkamuy - was released in 2020. The whiskies have been very well received by the likes of Jim Murray and whiskyadvocate.com.