Kenten Jitsugyo Akkeshi Distillery releases its first single malt in half a year. Details of the bottle of Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rikka.
The release notice of Single Malt Rikka from Akkeshi Distillery was announced on Facebook.
The single malt Whisky will be released this time after the release of blended Whisky at the frost and winter solstice in succession.
１．What is “Rikka” in the Nijushisekki al Season?
Starting with the release of single malt “Kanro” in October 2020, Akkeshi Distillery has been releasing the Nijushisekki Series approximately every three months. Basically, single malt and blended are released alternately, and the bottles for the “Shunbun”, “Geshi”, “Shuubun”, and “Touji” are specially designed as “Nishinibun Bottles”.
| Date of release | Names of 24 solar terms: 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 | Shouman: around May 21 |
| Part 12 | Late August, 2023 | Hakuro: around September 8 |
| Part 13 | Late November 2023 | Shosetsu: 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 |
| Part 19 | Late May, 2025 | Rikka: around May 5 |
The 19th single malt “Rikka” will be released this time.
It is the beginning of summer. It is the most comfortable time of the year, when frogs begin to croak and carp streamers swim happily in the blue sky. The first day of summer in 2025 is May 5.
On the label is “Kakitsubata,” a perennial plant in the iris family, which blooms along the shores of Lake Akkeshi. It is a perennial herb of the iris family. It has been cultivated in Japan since before the Heian period (794-1185) and is used as a summer season word in haiku.
It has been used as a dye since ancient times.
2. Akkeshi Single Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Rikka”
About a month before its release, tasting notes of the product will be made public. We will introduce the information as soon as it is released.
The season in which the swallowtail flowers along the shores of Lake Akkeshi stand out especially against the fresh sky color of early summer.
The beatiness characteristic of the Akkeshi malt has been covered with Japanese citrus aroma as it matures over the years.
The key malt this time is all Hokkaido malt using Hokkaido malt and Mizunara oak barrels.
| Product name | Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rikka |
|---|---|
| Sake Breeder | Single malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask Type | Casks and casks |
| Sales quantity | Limited quantity |
| Degrees of alcohol content | 55% (with a minimum of 2.5 percent alcohol) |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Price | 23,100 yen (tax included) |
| Producer | Akkeshi Distillery |
３．Attractiveness of the Akkeshi Distillery
Acquired “Hokkaido HACCP certification” in December 2021.
The distillery was the first craft Whisky 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, and acquired the certification in our sixth season of operation. We feel their commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. We expect 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 Nijushisekki 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 probably now available in a very limited number of places where you can drink them.
4-1. 2020 release
■Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Kanro (released in late October 2020)
4-2. Release in 2021
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Usui (released in late February 2021)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Boshu (released in late May 2021)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky “Shosho” (to be released in late August 2021)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Ritto (released in late November 2021)
4-3. 2022 release
■Akkeshi Blended Whisky Daikan (2022/Late February release)
■Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Seimei (2022/Late May release)
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 (2023/Late February release)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shoman (released in late May 2023)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Hakuro (released in late August 2023)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shousetsu (released in late November 2023)
4-5. 2024 Release.
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Risshun (2024/Late February release)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Kokuu (released in late May 2024)
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Shosho” (Late August 2024)
Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shimotsuki (released in late November 2024)
4-6. 2025 Release.
■Akkeshi Single Blended Whisky Winter Solstice (2025/Late February release)
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.
