Akashi White

Description

Akashi White Oak Blended Scotch is a refined blend, crafted by the White Oak Distillery in the coastal city of Akashi in Japan’s Hyogo prefecture. Unlike a single malt, this Scotch combines select malt and grain whiskies to create a balanced and approachable profile. Its production is notably rare, as White Oak only distills whisky one to two months per year, resulting in a limited output that makes each bottle a unique find. Typically available in 50cl bottles at around 30 EUR, this whisky has an approximate maturation period of 5 to 6 years, developing depth and smoothness in each step.

Akashi White Oak Blended Scotch stands apart in the global market as the only Scotch produced under the direction of a Toji—a grand-master of the traditional Japanese art of sake making. By incorporating sake-making techniques, the Toji infuses Akashi whisky with a distinct character that marries Japanese craftsmanship with whisky tradition. The distillery uses a smaller-than-usual pot still, which reduces the presence of fusel alcohols, allowing the whisky to achieve a smooth, delicate profile in a shorter aging period. This process results in a “new make” spirit that is inherently refined, requiring less time to mellow, yet maintaining a remarkable balance of flavors at its core strength.

Founded in 1888, the White Oak Distillery has a long legacy in Japanese spirit-making, becoming the first in Japan to acquire a distilled spirits license in 1919. While its whisky production remained traditional and reserved for the domestic market, the distillery shifted gears in 1984, constructing a new facility dedicated specifically to whisky distillation. Located near the sea, close to the city of Kobe, the distillery benefits from a mild, stable climate that further enhances the aging process.

Praised for its flavor profile, Akashi White Oak has garnered international attention. Forbes Magazine included it in its list of “Top 10 Japanese Whiskies to Try Now,” describing it as an “easy to drink blend with chocolate, honey, and fruit flavors.” This non-age statement blended whisky, likely around 3 years old, is aged in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in ex-sherry casks, imparting subtle notes of oak and fruit, all complemented by a smooth, approachable character.