Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Risshun. Released in late February from Kenten Jitsugyo and Akkeshi Distillery. Features, price and details are explained.
Facebook page of Kenten Jitsugyo Corporation, Akkeshi Distillery has released information about the release of “Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Risshun” in late February, 2023.
It will be the 14th in the ” 24 solar terms.
The 24 solar terms were introduced from China. The year is divided into 24 equal parts and the seasons are named accordingly, including the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.
The price is 19,800 yen, tax included, in limited quantities.
The previous release was “Blended Whiskey Shosethu” and this time it will be a single malt release.
The label is beautifully decorated with plum blossoms in contrast to the previous single malt Hakuro no Chrysanthemum.
Reference: Akkeshi Distillery official Facebook
1． What is “Risshun” in the 24 solar terms?
Starting with the release of single malt “Kanro” in October 2020, Akkeshi Dist illery has been selling a new product about every three months as “the 24 solar terms Series”.
| Release Date | Names of the Twenty-Four solar terms | |
| The 1st release | October 28, 2020 | Kanro: around October 8 |
| The 2nd release | February 28, 2021 | Usui: around February 19 |
| The 3rd release | May 28, 2021 | Boshu: around June 6 |
| The 4th release | Late August, 2021 | Shosho: around August 23 |
| The 5th release | Late November, 2021 | Ritto: around November 7 |
| The 6th release | Late February, 2022 | Daikan: around January 20 |
| The 7th release | Late May, 2022 | Seimei: around April 5 |
| The 8th release | Late August, 2022 | Taisho: around July 23 |
| The 9th release | Early December, 2022 | Taisetsu: around December 7 |
| The 10th release | Late February, 2023 | Keichitsu: around March 6 |
| The 11th release | Late May, 2023 | Shoman: around May 21 |
| The 12th release | Late August, 2023 | Hakuro: around September 8 |
| The 13th release | Late November, 2023 | Shosetsu: around November 23 |
| The 14th release | late February,2024 | Risshun: around February 4 |
The 14th issue to be released this time is “Risshun” (the first day of spring).
Risshun” is the beginning of the 24 solar terms and the time when the longitude of the sun reaches 315 degrees, which is around February 4 on the solar calendar. It is the midpoint between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Since it is calculated based on the movement of the sun, it is cold enough to be called spring, but one can sense that the days are longer than at the winter solstice. Risshun and Setsubun are also closely related. The day before Risshun is Setsubun.
In 2024, Risshun will be on February 4.
2．Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Risshun
Information released by the Akkeshi Distillery is shown below.
Risshun, the beginning of the year. The cold and frigid town of Akkeshi-cho will soon hear the sound of warm footsteps. Please enjoy the taste of the whiskey that has been solemnly matured for the coming day.Tasting notes
<Aroma>Condensed milk, fermented butter, whipped cream, salt, honey, oven and freshly baked bread<Taste>Peat, citrus juice, persimmon notes in the backgroundAftertaste>Black pepper, citrus peel, lemon-lime cider
| Product name | Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Risshun |
|---|---|
| Sake type | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | ー |
| Sales quantity | Limited quantity |
| Degrees of alcohol content | 55% |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 19,800 yen (tax included) |
| Producer | Akkeshi Distillery |
3．Attractiveness of the Akkeshi Distillery
Acquired “Hokkaido HACCP certification” in December 2021.
The distillery was the first craft whiskey distillery in Japan to obtain external HACCP certification.
We acquired HACCP certification based on our “company philosophy” of always producing safe and secure products through thorough food safety and quality control.
We overcame numerous difficulties and persisted in thorough quality control, and acquired the certification in our sixth season of operation. We feel their commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. We expect further improvement of sake quality.
Click here for reservations for distillery tours organized by Conchiglie, a roadside station in Akkeshi-cho.
4．Akkeshi Whisky “24 solar terms series” released in the past
Let’s review the Twenty-Foursolar terms released by the Akkeshi Distillery in the past.
4-1. 2020 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Kanro (Released on October 28, 2020)
4-2. 2021 Release
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Usui (Released on February 28, 2021)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Boshu (Released on May 28, 2021)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosho (Released in late August, 2021)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Ritto (Released in late November, 2021)
4-3. 2022 Release
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Daikan (Released in late February, 2022)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei (Released in late May, 2022)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho (Released in late August 2022)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Taisetsu (Released in early December, 2022)
4-4. 2023 Release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Keichitsu (Released in late February, 2023)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shoman (Released in late May, 2023)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Hakuro (Released in late August, 2023)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosethu (Released in late November, 2023)
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
