Akashi Ume Plum Japanese Whisky

Located just a rock’s skip away from Kobe Bay, Akashi is the closest whisky distillery to the coast in Japan. The ocean-laden air is reflected in the whisky’s savory, saline driven purity. The town of Akashi, translated as the “Sun Rise City,” dates back over 500 years. Here, less than 100 yards from the ocean, the owner’s family has been making traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages, like sake, for over three centuries. Founded in 1888, Eigashima Shuzo holds Japan’s first whisky license, issued in 1919, and remains Japan’s smallest whiskey producer, comprised of a five person team. Serious malt production at this distillery did not begin until 1984, when the current copper pot stills were put into action and a focus on premium whiskies began at their “White Oak” facility. Following a program dedicated to crafting an insanely fine, super sip-able whisky, production is limited to insure that quality is preeminent, making Eigashima’s Akashi one of the rarest whiskies.

This sweet whisky is born out of the Japanese tradition of Ume-Shu, which translates as Plum Alcohol. In late May and early June, hard, green, sour plums are harvested and combined with neutral spirit and rock sugar, then aged for 6 months to a year. Akashi does nearly the same with this version, allowing freshly harvested plums and rock sugar to rest in mature whisky. Here they remain for 6 months to a year, resulting in this simple twist on a Japanese classic.