Akkeshi Blended Whisky Soko. Released in late November by Kenten Jitsugyo and the Akkeshi Distillery, Hokkaido. Features, price, series details, etc.
From the Facebook page of Kenten Jitsugyo Corporation, Akkeshi Distillery, late November 2024.
Information on the release of Akkeshi Blended Whisky Soko has been released.
The Twenty-Four solar terms of the year were introduced from China. The year is divided into 24 equal parts and the seasons are named accordingly, including the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.
This is the 17th installment in Akkeshi’s ‘Twenty-Four solar terms series’. The series will end in about two years, with only eight types remaining, including Soko.
Also, according to previous official information, the Shumbun, Geshi, Shubun and Toji solstices have already been released as the distillery’s series culmination, but the Soko(frostfall) may be the lastblended in the regular Twenty-four solar terms series model.
The upper part of the label is similar to the Blended Daikan, but the lower part is darker.
Is it like the soil under the first snow, or the image of shoe marks that remain black when you step on the first snow?
Reference: Akkeshi Distillery official Facebook
1. What is ‘Soko’ in the Twenty-Four solar terms?
Starting with the release of the Single Malt Kanro in October 2020, the Akkeshi Distillery has been releasing the “Twenty-Four solar terms Series” approximately every three months. Basically, single malt and blended are released alternately.
| Release Date | Names of the “Twenty-Four solar terms series” | |
| The first release | October 28, 2020 | Kanro: around October 8 |
| The second release | February 28, 2021 | Usui: around February 19 |
| The third release | May 28, 2021 | Boshu: around June 6 |
| The fourth release | Late August, 2021 | Shosho: around August 23 |
| The fifth release | Late November, 2021 | Ritto: around November 7 |
| The sixth release | Late February, 2022 | Daikan: around January 20 |
| The seventh release | Late May, 2022 | Seimei: around April 5 |
| The eighth release | Late August, 2022 | Taisho: around July 23 |
| The ninth release | Early December, 2022 | Taisetsu: around December 7 |
| The tenth release | Late February, 2023 | Keichitsu: around March 6 |
| The eleventh release | Late May, 2023 | Shoman: around May 21 |
| The twelfth release | Late August, 2023 | Hakuro: around September 8 |
| The thirteenth release | Late November, 2023 | Shosetsu: around November 23 |
| The fourteenth release | Late February, 2024 | Risshun: around February 4 |
| The fifteenth release | Late May, 2024 | Koku: around April 20 |
| The sixteenth release | Late August, 2024 | Shosho: around July 7 |
| The seventeenth release | Late November, 2024 | Soko: around October 23 |
The 17th edition, “Soko(frostfall)”, will be released this time.
As the Chinese characters indicate, it is “the time of frost. It is also the last day of the autumn calendar, when the temperature drops further, and the “dew” of the “Kanro” (cold dew), which is the season immediately preceding the autumn calendar, covers the fallen leaves and plants on the ground, and is replaced by the “frost” as the temperature drops. The temperature then drops, and frost replaces dew. The “Kanro” drops in the cold, followed by the “Koso” and then the “Ritto” (the first day of winter).
In 2024, the “Koso” will fall on October 23.
2. Akkeshi Blended Whisky Soko
Autumn is the season of harvest, when all plants and animals enjoy the sweet bounty of the season.
The northern land is covered with snow for the first time this year.
Akkeshi “Koso” is also a traditional classic blend.
Enjoy the Japanese citrus aroma nurtured in the whisky matured in Akkeshi.
Quote: from product information.
The tasting notes will be announced on the official SNS about a month before the release. As soon as there is an announcement, we will post it again. The key aroma seems to be that of Japanese citrus peculiar to Akkeshi.
Tasting notes:<aroma>
<Taste>
<Aftertaste>
| Product name | Akkeshi Blended Whisky Soko |
|---|---|
| Distinction by alcohol | Blended whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt, grain |
| Cask type | ー |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantities |
| Degrees of alcohol content | 48% |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 16,500 yen (tax included) |
| Producer | Akkeshi Distillery |
3. Attractions of the Akkeshi Distillery
Acquired ‘Hokkaido HACCP certification’ in December 2021.
It was the first craft whisky distillery in Japan to acquire HACCP external certification.
The acquisition of HACCP certification was achieved based on the ‘company philosophy’ of always producing safe and secure products through thorough food safety and quality control.
The certification was obtained in the sixth season of operation after overcoming numerous difficulties and focusing on thorough quality control. We feel the commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. I have high expectations for further improvement in sake quality.
Click here to book a distillery tour organised by Conchiglie, a roadside station in the town of Akkeshi-cho.
Details of the Akkeshi Distillery are also introduced in a separate article. ↓.
4. “Twenty-Four solar terms series” of past Akkeshi whisky releases
Let’s review the Twenty-Four Season Series released by the Akkeshi Distillery in the past. Early products, for example, are now available in a very limited number of places where they can be drunk.
4-1. 2020 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Kanro (Released on October 28, 2020)
4-2. Release in 2021
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Usui (Released on February 28, 2021)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Boshu (Released on May 28, 2021)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosho (Released in late August, 2021)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Ritto (Released in late November, 2021)
4-3. 2022 Release
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Daikan (Released in late February, 2022)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei (Released in late May, 2022)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho (Released in late August 2022)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Taisetsu (Released in early December, 2022)
4-4. 2023 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Keichitsu (Released in late February, 2023)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shoman (Released in late May, 2023)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Hakuro (Released in late August, 2023)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosetsu (Released in late November, 2023)
4-5. 2024 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Risshun (Released in late February, 2024)
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Koku (Released in late May, 2024)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shosho (Released in late August, 2024)
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
