Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky comes from Eigashima Shuzo’s White Oak Distillery in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, a sake and shochu maker since 1888 that held Japan’s first whisky distilling licence from 1919, four years before Yamazaki was even built, though its dedicated whisky distillery wasn’t constructed until 1984. It’s a blend of malt and grain whisky, reserved in Japanese shochu casks (American white oak) before ageing roughly three years in ex-bourbon casks and finishing a further two years in ex-sherry casks. Bottled at 40% ABV, it’s built as an easy-drinking, mixable whisky, at home in a highball as much as neat.
CHARACTER
Vanilla: creamy vanilla custard on the nose
Caramel: toffee and caramelised sugar on the palate
Cherry: black cherry on the nose
Green Apple: fruity apples and pears on the nose
Cask: oak on the nose and finish
TASTING NOTES
NOSE- Malty and citrusy, with black cherry, toffee, oak, vanilla custard, crème brûlée and fruity apples and pears.
PALATE- Vanilla and toffee dominate, creamy caramelised sugar and fudge, with a light spiced kick.
FINISH- Long and malty, balanced between creamy vanilla toffee and drying, spiced oak.
