Akkeshi Boshu Single Malt

What it is

The third release in Akkeshi's Twenty Four Solar Terms series and the second single malt in it, out on 28 May 2021 at 55%. Boshu means sowing of the grain and marks the point in the calendar when seed goes in the ground.

Where it comes from

This is a single malt, which in Akkeshi's range means it's entirely the distillery's own spirit, distilled and matured on site in Hokkaido. The blends in the same series use imported grain whisky, so the distinction is worth holding onto: single malt means all Akkeshi, blend means a world blend.

We haven't found a formal producer statement putting this specific release against the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard, but nothing about the production raises a question.

How it's made

Akkeshi sits on the eastern coast of Hokkaido, further east than any other Japanese distillery, in a stretch known for sea fog and peat bog. It started distilling in 2016 on a deliberately Islay-inspired setup: Forsyths pot stills, peated malt, coastal warehousing. It's one of the very few Japanese distilleries with access to local peat, and the river supplying its water runs straight through that peat layer. Boshu is distilled from peated barley and matured across ex-bourbon, wine, mizunara and sherry casks before marrying.

What to expect

Smoke, but not Islay smoke. Akkeshi peat reads as campfire and sandalwood rather than iodine, and it sits alongside the bright citrus character the distillery is known for. Expect honey, winter fruit and a salty, savoury finish. At 55% it takes water well.

How it compares

Against Ritto, the next single malt in the series, that one leans much harder on sherry. Against Taisetsu, the mizunara component is more prominent there. Against Akkeshi's blends, those are lighter, cheaper and carry the imported grain. Against Yoichi, the other Hokkaido peated malt, Akkeshi is brighter and more citrus driven.