Akkeshi “BOSHU” “Sowing of the Grain” 2021 Limited Edition Peated Single Malt Japanese Whisky

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The Akkeshi Boshu peated single malt release which serves as the 9th season in the distillery’s series of 24 Sekki, Japan’s distinctive cycle of seasons, although it is the third release in the series.

The Boshu or “Sowing Of The Grain” – a time of the year when grains mature and when firelies appear – is bottled at 55%.

The smoke here is again mild, more campfire than furnace, with chocolate and fruit notes.

Akkeshi began distilling in 2016 amongst a swathe of new Japanese distilleries. Based in the Akkeshi District of Hokkaido, the concept of distilling and maturing single malt in Japans northern wilderness traces back to the very first plans of Masataka Taketsuru, a pioneer of the countrys early whisky production.

Indeed, the distillery is inspired by the heavier styles of Scotch whisky, particularly those from Islay. It is owned by Kenten Co, an import-export company and President Keichi Toita is a long-time whisky aficionado and lover. He was behind the distillerys location and style and give that the distillery is wholly backed by Kenten, they dont have to answer to any outside parties.

Akkeshi features a pair of pot stills from Forsyths, a 5,000 litre wash still and 3,600 litre spirit still. They are steam heated and feature declining lyne arms into shell-and-tube condensers. To the eye they are very Islay-esque.

They have two warehouses at the distillery site and two closer to the sea so that they can see the differences in the maturation environments.

Their first ‘Foundation’ spirit releases appeared throughout 2018 and 2019 before the first single malt – Sarorunkamuy – was released in 2020.