The first of Akkeshi Distillery’s two solstice special bottles, which have finally been unveiled, will be released.
Akkeshi Single Blended Japanese Whiskey “Touji”. It will be released in late February from Kenten Jitsugyo and Hokkaido Akkeshi Distillery. Features, price, series details, etc. are explained.
Akkeshi Single Blended Japanese Whiskey “Touji”, the first bottle of the Nijushi-Nijushiki (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Solstice), which is positioned as a special bottle of the 24 Season Series, has been released by Akkeshi Distillery.
While it is a classical blend with a malt ratio of 51% or higher, the same as regular Akkeshi blended whiskey, the grain in “Touji” is made from grain whiskey produced at the Akkeshi distillery. This is the first single blended Japanese whiskey in Hokkaido.
This is the 18th edition of Akkeshi’s “Twenty-Four Season Series”. The series will come to an end in about two years.
Excluding the Winter Solstice, the remaining seasons are Risshatsu, Risshaku, Shochu, Shichuun, Shun bun, Shusatsu, and Shuubun.
The following images show the official bottles of Akkeshi Distillery released so far from the first single malt, Saron Kamuy. Special bottles like “Oyster Lullaby”, “Kamuichikapu”, and “Repun Kamui” are also well listed. 
Reference: Akkeshi Distillery official Facebook
1.What is the “Winter Solstice” of the 24 Seasons?
Starting with the release of single malt Kanro in October 2020, Akkeshi Distillery has been releasing a “Twenty-Four Season Series” about every three months. Basically, single malt and blended are released alternately.
| Release Date | Names of the 24 Seasonal Periods: Start of the calendar | |
| Part 1 | October 28, 2020 | Kanro: around October 8 |
| Part 2 | February 28, 2021 | Usui: around February 19 |
| Part 3 | May 28, 2021 | Boushu: around June 6 |
| Part 4 | Late August, 2021 | Shosho: around August 23 |
| Part 5 | Late November 2021 | Rittou : around November 7 |
| Part 6 | Late February 2022 | Daikan: around January 20 |
| Part 7 | Late May, 2022 | Seimei: around April 5 |
| Part 8 | Late August, 2022 | Taisho: around July 23 |
| Part 9 | Early December 2022 | Taisetsu: around December 7 |
| Part 10 | Late February 2023 | Keichitsu: around March 6 |
| Part 11 | Late May, 2023 | Shoman: around May 21 |
| Part 12 | Late August, 2023 | Hakuro: around September 8 |
| Part 13 | Late November 2023 | Shousetsu: around November 23 |
| Part 14 | Late February 2024 | Risshun: around February 4 |
| Part 15 | Late May, 2024 | Kokuu: around April 20 |
| Part 16 | Late August, 2024 | Shousho: July 7 |
| Part 17 | Late November 2024 | Soukou: around October 23 |
| Part 18 | Late February 2025 | Touji: Around December 21 |
The 18th volume, “Winter Solstice “(Touji),” will be released this time.
This is the season when the daytime is the shortest of the year and the sun sets early, making us miss the sun. However, the days gradually lengthen after this day.
In Japan, eating kabocha (pumpkin) and bathing in yuzu (citron) baths are well-known customs. It is also a day to celebrate the end of the year and the shortness of the days, and to celebrate the new year and the rebirth of the sun by eating foods with “N”, which is taken from the end of the hiragana alphabet.
The winter solstice of 2024 is December 21.
In the pitch-black night sky, the stars of Capricorn are dark and a little difficult to see. The globular cluster M30, which serves as a landmark for finding it, is depicted with a circle.
All of the blended whiskeys from Akkeshi are depicted with the constellations of the time of year, but the fact that they are large and easily recognizable suggests that they are special blends.
2. Akkeshi Single Blended Japanese Whiskey “Touji” (Winter Solstice)
This is Hokkaido’s first single blended Japanese whiskey.
All malt and grain whiskies are produced at the Akkeshi distillery.
It is a classic blend that embodies the northern land, using Hokkaido’s barley and grains in abundance as ingredients.
Please enjoy the unprecedented Akkeshi whiskey in the beginning of the season, which is also called “Ichiyo-kaibyo” (meaning “the return of the sun”).
| Product name | Akkeshi Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Touji |
|---|---|
| Sake type | Single Blended Japanese Whiskey |
| Ingredients | Malt, Grain |
| Cask type | Malt, Grain |
| Sales quantity | Limited quantity |
| Degree of alcohol content | 48% (with a minimum of 2.5 percent alcohol) |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 29,700 yen (tax included) |
| Producer | Akkeshi Distillery |
Attractiveness of the Akkeshi Distillery
Acquired “Hokkaido HACCP certification” in December 2021.
The distillery was the first craft whiskey distillery in Japan to receive external HACCP certification.
We acquired HACCP certification based on our “company philosophy” of always producing safe and secure products through thorough food safety and quality control.
We overcame numerous difficulties and persisted in thorough quality control to obtain the certification in our sixth season of operation. We feel their commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. We look forward to further improvement of sake quality.
Click here for reservations for distillery tours organized by Conchiglie, a roadside station in the town of Akkeshi-cho.
Details of the Akkeshi distillery are also introduced in another article. ↓↓↓↓
4. 24 Setsubeki Series” of past Akkeshi Whisky releases
Let’s review the Nijushisekki series released by the Akkeshi Distillery in the past. Early products, for example, are now available in a very limited number of places where you can drink them.
4-1. 2020 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Whiskey Kanro (released on 10/28/2020)
4-2. Release in 2021
Akkeshi Blended Whiskey Usui (released on February 28, 2021)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Boushu (released on May 28, 2021)
Akkeshi Blended Whiskey Shosho (on sale 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 2022/2)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Seimei (released in late May 2022)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Taisho (Late August 2022)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Taisetsu (released in early December 2022)
4-4. 2023 release
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Keichitsu (released in late 2023/2)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shouman (released in late May 2023)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Hakuro (released in late August 2023)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shousetsu (released in late November 2023)
4-5. 2024 Release.
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Risshun (late Feb 2024)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Kokuu (released in late May 2024)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Shousho (Late August 2024)
Akkeshi Blended Whiskey Soukou
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.
