The Facebook page of Kenten Jitsugyo Corporation’s Akkeshi Distillery announced the release of a new product in late May 2022.
“Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei” .
This will be the seventh in the Akkeshi Whisky “Twenty-Four Season Series” .
The 24 solar terms were introduced from China. The year is divided into 24 equal parts and the seasons are named accordingly, including Risshun and the summer solstice.
At the World Whisky Awards (WWA) announced last month, Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosho won in the Blended Whisky category. Received the highest award in the world. The first time we did this was in the summer of 2008.
We are looking forward to seeing more and more whisky from Akkeshi, which is as good as Suntory, Nikka, and Ichiro’s Malt.
I am anxious to see how the Qingming is finished, but at this time there is no information on “key malts or casks used” yet.
Limited quantities are available, priced at 19,800 yen including tax.
1. What is “Seimei” in the 24 Seasons?
Starting with a single malt release in October 2020, Akkeshi Distillery has been selling a new product every three months as part of the Twenty-Four Season Series.
| Release Date | name of the 24th season | |
| Part 1 | October 28, 2020 | Kanro: around October 8 |
| Part 2 | February 28, 2021 | Usui : around February 19 |
| Part 3 | May 28, 2021 | Boushu: June 6 or thereabouts |
| Part 4 | Late August 2021 | Shosho: around August 23 |
| Part 5 | Late November 2021 | Rittou: November 7 or thereabouts |
| Part 6 | Late February 2022 | Daikan: Around January 20 |
| Part 7 | Late May, 2022 | Seimei: around April 5 |
The seventh issue to be released this year is “Seimei” (meaning “clear and bright” in Japanese).
“Seimei” is the fifth of the 24 solar terms and is an abbreviation of the word “seijo meiketsu,” meaning “clean, bright and lively,” or “everything is clean and lively” .
The sky is clear and blue, the weather is mild, and the spring weather is truly refreshing. Many people start a new fiscal year and a new life, and many people start their lives and work in a new environment, and this is the time of year when they use a lot of energy to get accustomed to their environment. This is the time of year when we feel the fresh breath of spring.
Qingming in 2022 is April 5. It also seems to refer to about 15 days from April 5 to April 20, the sixth of the next 24 solar terms, or Koku.
2. Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei
Details on the key malts and the casks used for aging this crop are not yet available at this time.
The single malts in the 24 Season series were unique whiskies: Kanro, Boushu, and Ritto.
We are very much looking forward to seeing how “Seimei” will taste this time.
Information released from the Akkeshi distillery will be posted below.
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Qingming” is the seventh in the 24 Season Series.It is the season when the tan-red Akkeshi Bridge is beautifully reflected in the clear blue sky. The bird, Tsubame, knows the time and carries the season of colors from thousands of kilometers away. This year, too, they are sure to soar down to the sweet fragrance of Akkeshi malt.Tasting notes
Caramel fudge, vanilla, manuka honey, citrus, soy sauce, tideCitrus acidity, sweetness, honeyWhite pepper, salty lemon, citrus bitters and chocolate-like sweetness
Reference: Facebook page of Akkeshi Distillery, Kenten Jitsugyo Co.
| Product Name | Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage | Single Malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | – |
| Sales quantity | Limited quantity |
| Number of units | 55% |
| Content Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 19,800 yen (tax included) |
| Manufacturer | Kenten Jitsugyo Co., Ltd. Akkeshi Distillery |
3. Attractions of the Akkeshi Distillery
Obtained “Hokkaido HACCP Certification” in December 2021.
We are the first craft whisky distillery in Japan to obtain HACCP external certification.
We acquired HACCP certification based on our “company philosophy” of always producing safe and secure products through thorough food safety and quality control.
The certification was obtained in the sixth season of operation after overcoming a number of difficulties and insisting on thorough quality control. We can feel their commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. I have high expectations for further improvement in sake quality.
If you still don’t know about Akkeshi Distillery or want to know more about it, please check the distribution of BS Fuji’s Whiskipedia in December 2020, which had a special feature on the distillery.
The program is not only about the appeal of Akkeshi whisky, but also about the nature of Akkeshi-cho, the fishing industry centering on oyster fishing in Akkeshi, and the marriage of whisky and oysters from Akkeshi.
4. Past releases of the Akkeshi whisky Twenty-Four Sets Series
Let’s review the Twenty-Four Season series that Akkeshi Distillery has released in the past.
4-1. 2020 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Kanro (released on October 18, 2021)
4-2. Release in 2021
■ Akkeshi Blended Whisky Usui (released on February 28, 2021)
■ Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Boushu” (released on May 28, 2021)
■ Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosho (late August 2021)
■ Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rittou (late November 2021)
4-3. 2022 Release
■ Akkeshi Blended Whisky Daikan (released late Feb. 2022)
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.
