The HOKUSAI NORTH COLORS series from Akkeshi, exclusively sold through ANA’s international flight duty-free pre-order service, has arrived. Reviewing the label design and taste.
The first release is “Suirei”
A term describing mountains and peaks with vivid green hues.
It’s often used to describe lush green mountains (Sui-shoku), reminiscent of the feathers of the kingfisher (kawasemi) depicted in Edo-period “ukiyoe” prints.
1. Product Name and Photo
AKKESHI Single Malt Japanese Whisky HOKUSAI NORTH COLORS SUIREI 
2. Features
About Akkeshi “HOKUSAI NORTH COLORS” Akkeshi “HOKUSAI NORTH COLORS” was born from the concept: “What if Hokusai had visited the land of Akkeshi…?”
This distinctive lineup of three series, each with its own unique flavor, aroma, and color expression, depicts Hokkaido’s nature and seasons through Hokusai’s perspective.
While maintaining the craftsmanship we have always valued, this represents a new challenge that sets itself apart from conventional products, strongly emphasizing fusion with art and culture.
Further more, the packaging for each bottle features a clever design: placing all three bottles side by side reveals the complete panorama of the world-renowned painting “Fugaku Sanjurokkei Kanagawa Okinamiura” series. This makes it a noteworthy product, an art piece to be enjoyed both by taste and sight.
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Cherry, pink grapefruit, seashell, mint leaf |
| Taste | Citrus meringue, toast, ginger syrup |
| After taste | Sweetness, fresh fruitiness, and mineral elements overlap, lingering long |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 55% |
| Types of Alcohol | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Types of alcohol in barrels | Unknown |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Unknown |
| Release Date | June 2025 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
4. Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Akkeshie Single Malt Japanese Whisky HOKUSAI NORTH COLORS “Suirei” |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | ¥44,000 (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari are listed in the range of ¥34,000 and up. ( As of 2026/2/17 )
4-3. Yahoo! Auctions Winning Bid Price
The latest Yahoo! Auctions price shows winning bids around ¥35,000( as of February 17, 2026 )
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon ※Updated November 28, 2024
Online retailers currently have listings at ¥48,000. ( As of February 17, 2026 )
4-5. Price at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this site, we offer drinks at the following prices: One drink: 45ml – ¥9,240, 30ml – ¥6,160, 15ml – ¥3,080.
5. Manufacturer
Kenten Jitsugyo Co., Ltd.
| Established | 1982 |
| Headquarters | 1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011, within The Imperial Hotel Tokyo |
| Owned Distilleries | Akkeshi Distillery |
6. Distillery
Akkeshi Distillery
| Location | 4-109-2 Miyazono, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun, Hokkaido 088-1124 |
| Start of Operations | October 2016 |
2015 Distillery construction commenced
2016 Distillation commenced in October
2017 2nd Maturation Warehouse Completed
2018 February:First product released as Akkeshi Distillery. 3rd Maturation Warehouse Completed
2020 February:Released first single malt whisky, ” Sarorun Kamui.”
April:4th Maturation Warehouse Completed.
October: Released the first installment of the Nijushisekki Series, ” Single Malt Kanro “.
2021 New malting facility constructed (operational in 2022)
2023 April:Completion of the 5th Maturation Warehouse.
The concept is “a whisky that inherits Scotland’s traditional methods while embodying the distinctive flavor of Akkeshi.”
We began distilling in 2016, believing that the climate of Akkeshi, Hokkaido—its deep, salty fog, clear air, and abundant peat—would create the unique flavor of Japanese whisky we sought.
To harness the “terroir” of Hokkaido and Akkeshi in our whisky-making, we will continue honing our craft here while deepening our connection with the local people and nature. Barley and Mizunara oak nurtured by Hokkaido’s soil, Akkeshi’s beautiful water, and peat rich in minerals. Our wish is to create everything from Hokkaido and deliver a Japanese whisky unlike any other to the world.
Quote: Blender’s Attention [Akkeshi Distillery]
Driven by the strong desire to “create whisky like Islay malt using traditional Scottish methods,” we introduced equipment from Forsyth of Scotland. All construction was carried out by Forsyth craftsmen who came to Japan.The pot stills feature a straight-head onion shape, similar to those found at several Islay distilleries. Heating is radiator-style (indirect heating), the attached condensers are shell-and-tube type, and the mash tuns are semi-roster style.
All fermentation vats (washbacks) are stainless steel, deliberately chosen as non-temperature-controlled types. Fermentation is left to nature, with the craftsman determining the optimal timing.
The maturation warehouses currently consist of Warehouses 1 through 5. Warehouse 1 uses a dunnage system. Warehouse 2 (adjacent to the bottling facility) is currently used for storing products awaiting shipment. Warehouses 3 through 5 employ a rack system. Located on a hill overlooking Akeshi Bay, they are enveloped by the “Sea Fog” that drifts over the entire -Chou of Akeshi. This “Sea Fog”, carrying the scent of the ocean, is expected to positively influence the whisky’s characteristics, deepening the maturation of the malt.
Maturation casks include bourbon and sherry, plus the hard-to-obtain Mizunara oak. We are also exploring every possibility, such as pairing with wine and rum casks.
Furthermore, the barley used as the whisky’s raw material is cultivated within Akkeshi it self. Everything, including the peat and the wooden casks for maturation, is sourced from Akkeshi. The future goal is to create an “Akkeshi All-Star” whisky. As part of new initiatives, in August 2021, a trial began to mature the distilled spirit from the Akkeshi Distillery in Furano.What changes will the spirit aged in Furano bring? This is truly terroir —harnessing not just the local character of Akkeshi, but the great individuality of “Hokkaido.” Incorporating the concept of “terroir,” familiar to wine connoisseurs, into whisky, fusing the “character of Akkeshi” with the “character of Hokkaido,” and crafting whisky that leverages the terroir of these lands is fascinating and holds infinite potential.
Lake Akkeshi and the Bekanbeushi Marsh surrounding Akkeshi-Chou are registered wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention, adopted on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, is a treaty concerning wetlands. Its purpose is to conserve and wisely utilize wetlands that serve as habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife, through international cooperation.
Our distillery also aims to protect this rich natural environment and coexist with it.
The water intake for our whisky comes from the Homakai River, an upper tributary of the Ohoro River flowing near the distillery. The surrounding area is a wetland habitat for the water plant known as “Bikamo”, which is said to thrive only in clear streams. Its small white flowers blooming in summer symbolize abundant water. This water nurtures Akkeshi whisky.
Source: Akkeshi Distillery Official Website
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For more information on Akkeshi Distillery, please see below↓
7. Summary
Akkeshie Hokusai North Colors is now available in limited quantities domestically and can be served at our establishment.
The first release, Suirei, features nuances of cherry and mineral, wrapped in a mellow sweetness reminiscent of aged sherry casks.
All three varieties naturally have distinct flavors, so we hope you’ll discover your favorite.
■ Be sure to check out our other articles about “Akkeshie Distillery · Akkeshie Whisky”.
