[glossary_exclude][/glossary_exclude]The Facebook page of the Akkeshi Distillery of KENTEN Jitsugyo Corporation announced the release of a new product in late August 2022.
“Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho”
This will be the eighth product in the Akkeshi Whisky “Twenty-Four Solar Teams Series”.
The 24 seasonal divisions were introduced from China. The year is divided into 24 equal parts and the seasons are named accordingly, including Risshun and Geshi.
It will be interesting to see how the Akkeshi malt, matured in Hokkaido oak barrels, will taste.
Limited to 10,000 bottles, priced at 13,200 yen including tax.
1. What is “Taisho” in the Twenty-Four Solar Teams?
Starting with the release of single malt Kanro in October 2020, Akkeshi Distillery has been selling a new product every three months as part of the “Twenty-Four Solar Teams Series”.
| Release Date | Names of the 24 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 : around June 6 |
| Part4 | Late August, 2021 | Shosho : around August 23 |
| Part 5 | Late November 2021 | Ritto : around November 7 |
| Part 6 | Late February 2022 | Daikan : around January 20 |
| Part 7 | Late May, 2022 | Seimei : around April 5 |
| Part 8 | Late August, 2022 | Taisho : around July 23 |
The eighth installment of this month’s calendar is “Taisho”.
The “Taisho” is the 12th day of the 24 solar terms, and it is the hottest season of the year during the period from the summer solstice to the Risshu around August 8, about one month after the Geshi. During this period, many festivals and fireworks displays are held in various regions, and many summer events are held.
The Taisho of 2022 is on July 23. It also refers to about 15 days until the day before Risshu (around August 8), the 13th of the next 24 solar terms.
2. Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho.
The blended whiskies in the Twenty-Four Solar Teams Series were Rainy Water, Summer Solstice, and Great Cold, and we could sense the process of evolution with unique whiskies.
We look forward to seeing what role the Akkeshi malt, aged in Hokkaido Mizunara oak barrels, plays.
Citrus freshness, honey and other sweetness, and strong peat and spiciness. Harmony of Akkeshi malt and grain nurtured by the sea breeze of Akkeshi Bay. We can’t wait to see how it is finished.
The label is inspired by the yukata (summer kimono) of the summer festival in Akkeshi.
Information released by the Akkeshi Distillery is listed below.
“Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho” is the eighth in the Twenty-Four Solar Teams Series.In summer in Akkeshi-cho, lions dance to the accompaniment of drums and flutes. Prayers are offered to the gods of nature, hoping for a good catch this year.Please enjoy the refreshing harmony of Akkeshi malt and grain nurtured by the sea breeze of Akkeshi-Bay.Tasting notes : Brown sugar, pink grapefruit
Brown sugar, pink grapefruit, orange, cereal, honeyOrange, lemon, hassaku-like acidity and sweetness, tide, soy sauce-like saltiness, lemongrass, sage-like spiciness, white pepper, lime peel, chocolate, and lime peel.White pepper, lime peel, chocolate-like sweetness.
Reference: Facebook page of Akkeshi Distillery
| Product Name | Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho |
|---|---|
| Sake type | Blended Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt, foreign grain |
| Cask type | Hokkaido Mizunara oak barrels, etc. |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 10,000 bottles |
| Strength | 48% (with a minimum of 2.5 percent alcohol content) |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 13,200 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 whisky 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. I have high expectations for further improvement of sake quality.
For those who still do not know about the 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. “Twenty-Four Solar Teams Series” of Akkeshi Whisky released in the past.
Let’s review the Twenty-four Season Series 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 2, 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)
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.
