Akkeshi Distillery Taisho – The Peak of Summer Blended Whisky

Lightly peated blended malt and grain whisky produced by Akkeshi Distillery in Akkeshi, Japan • 8^th release from 24 Sekki series • Akkeshi single malt distilled in Forsyths copper pot stills • Non-age statement; aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, red wine, locally grown Mizunara oak casks • The nose offers brown sugar, pink grapefruit, and honeyed cereal grains; a gently mineralic palate displays bright citrusy notes of Hassaku orange and lemongrass with sage and a soy sauce-like salinity; white pepper, lime peel and chocolate round out the finish • Bottled in 2021; limited US release of only 492 bottles • 48% ABV

The 24 Japanese Sekki are days that divide the solar year into 24 equal micro seasons. Taisho, roughly translated as “the peak of summer,” begins around July 23 and is the season of the most intense summer heat. The indigo label design is inspired by yakuta, the light summer kimonos worn during warmer months.