Akashi White Oak Single Malt Review
In-Depth Review
Like much of the Japanese whisky industry, Eigashima Distillery is an enigmatic little distillery located on the coast in southern Japan. Boasting a rich history of distillation going back hundreds of years, it only began distilling whisky in the 1960s and remains a small producer that only distills its whisky during specific times of the year. The rest of the year is spent making shochu, sake, wine and more. Like many other Japanese whisky distilleries, Eigashima focuses its whisky production around blends – with its flagship product being its Akashi White Oak blend that boasts a 40% ABV and smooth, easy to drink profile.
Today, however, we are going to dive into an expression from the Akashi line that is much harder to find. Originally a component whisky to the White Oak blend, the Akashi brand periodically releases a limited single malt expression of White Oak that cranks the ABV up to 46% and features natural color, non-chill filtration and no age statement. And while a normal bottle of the single malt can retail for almost $100, I snagged a 200ml bottle at Tokyo’s Haneda airport for only $16! So, let’s jump in and see if this is worth the hunt.
Age: Non-Age Stated (But up to 7 years)
ABV: 46%
Cask: Combination of sherry, new oak, and ex-bourbon barrel
MSRP: $98
Distillery Name: Eigashima Shuzo
Review Date: 2/5/24
Color: Dull Gold
Nose: The nose starts with corn flakes, overripe pears, fresh cut wood shavings, and chardonnay. Right in the middle of the nose a red fruit bursts out, making for a big, malty, slightly unusual nose for a Japanese whisky. Lurking in the back is green apple Laffy Taffy and a flat lemon lime soda note.
Palate: On the palate, this Akashi starts with spicy Corn Nuts, white pepper, bright vanillas, and more heat than I was expecting from 46% ABV. After a few sips, it can feel herbaceous and woody. As it starts moving into the finish, there’s a splash of salinity mixed with a great mouthfeel and a whiff of smoke. The palate fades out with a cured pork flavor that I am absolutely here for.
Finish: Medium finish with a lasting burst of heat, chili powder, peat smoke, and a woody char that lingers on the tongue.
Final Thoughts: Akashi White Oak Single Malt provides a compelling alternative to the Suntory and Nikka malts that have become both harder to find and more expensive than ever before. But unlike offerings from Suntory and Nikka, this single malt expression is bigger and bolder – closer to the single malts of Scotland than the delicate Japanese blends we’ve been used to. Its palate is all Corn Nuts and peat (two things I never thought would go well together but this little whisky may have convinced me otherwise). And while much harder to find than its Akashi blends - and at an MSRP pushing $100 - this expression is still an intriguing peak inside a brand that is poised to make a lot of noise over the next few years.
