eigashima distillery
Eigashima Shuzo (known as White Oak Distillery in Japan) is one of Japan's oldest family-run distilleries with centuries of beverage making experience. Situated just a stone throw's away from Osaka Bay in the fishing village of Akashi, the distillery enjoys a warm, coastal climate all year round, seeing the highest average temperatures and lowest annual rainfall out of all the Japanese distilleries. The operation is now run by its ninth generation, recently hiring their 7th full-time employee.
"With Honesty" is the company's motto that is rooted in Eigashima's tradition and craftsmanship throughout the centuries. The renowned micro-distillery's dedication is the epitome of Japanese artistry, showing uncompromising standards for each drop of their beautiful products.
Starting as a sake brewery during the Edo period, Eigashima Distillery has since expanded it's repertoire to include shochu, whisky, wine, umeshu (plum wine), and mirin. Eigashima obtained the nation's first whisky license in 1919, however they did not begin official production until small copper pot stills were installed in the early 1960s. Due to the small nature of the company, Eigashima dedicates certain seasons to distill their various spirits as the different liquors are produced by the same group of people. Eigashima distills whisky during the colder half of the year between September through March. As the popularity of Japanese whisky has increased over the years, the team has kicked the production time into overdrive, turning their five day work week into six and extending the season into Summer. As of 2017, Eigashima's production remains small, producing 48,000L a year with their two warehouses holding about 1,000 casks. An assortment of ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, brandy, and barley shochu casks are the main barrels for their core whiskies, however unique barrels of tequila, cognac, Konara and their own Eigashima Wine casks are reserved for specialty single-cask finishes.
PRODUCTS
akashi whisky 40% ABV
Designed to be an approachable, sipping whisky, Akashi Whisky has a malty, citrusy characteristic complemented by hints of salinity due to its coastal location. This whisky is distilled from wheat, barley and rye with notes of subtle peat, aged in ex-bourbon, barley shochu, and sherry barrels. Flavors of vanilla and pine nuts delight on the palate, leading to a long, wheaty finish. An excellent introduction to the Japanese whisky category, for those looking for a segue into Scotch, or an everyday drinking dram.
tasting notes
The nose is slightly fruity with hints of lemon, cherry, toffee, oats and sea air. The palate is perfectly clean & easy with a touch of peat on the finish. Excellent representation of a classic Japanese whisky flavor profile.
akashi single malt 46% ABV
Due to Eigashima’s coastal climate, Akashi whiskies impart a unique briny quality that is especially apparent in the Akashi Single Malt. Aged approximately 5-8 years in ex-Bourbon, sherry, brandy and barley casks, this whisky's prominent notes of salted caramel and subtle peat boasts a long, buttery finish.
tasting notes
Salted caramel, yellow apple, brown sugar, angelica fruits, mild peat.
akashi ume 30.5% ABV
japanese plum flavored whisky
For those that are looking for something fruity, easy-drinking and unique, look no further than Akashi Ume Plum Whisky, inspired by the traditions of Umeshu (Plum Wine). Freshly harvested, Japanese Ume (pronounced ooh-meh) sour plums are added directly to matured barrels of Akashi (white label) Whisky and aged for approximately 6-10 months depending on the season. This balanced, sweet and savory whisky liqueur is a playful twist on a Japanese classic.
Akashi Ume can be sipped neat, on the rocks, served with soda or can be used as a modifier for cocktail recipes that calls for simple syrup or liqueurs. It's great for novice drinkers as well as experimental mixologists and everyone in between.
tasting notes
Bright plum notes with hints of apricot, raisin jam, and honey. Smooth and sweet with a touch of acidity on the finish.
akashi goju 50 sherry cask malt & grain whisky 50% ABV
This unique release from Eigashima Shuzo is a sherry cask finished version of their classic blended Akashi whisky bottled at a beefed up 50% ABV. This beautifully blended whisky is a constant dance between its aspects of floral sweetness, salinic dryness, and gentle smoke. Akashi Goju 50 Sherry Cask Malt and Grain Whisky is destined to be a classic.
akashi japanese whisky highball 8% ABV
High Road Spirits is proud to bring you the first ready-to-drink Japanese highball from Eigashima Shuzo’s Akashi Whisky. The distillery’s Akashi Whisky is made by its family’s ninth generation of operators who employ centuries old traditions and techniques. Canned at 8% ABV, this crushable highball is packed full of flavor and is built for sessionability.
tasting notes
With lush notes of citrus, summer berries, cocoa, and salted toffee throughout, it finishes cleanly with the faintest hint of elegant smoke
akashi yuzu japanese whisky highball 7% ABV
High Road Spirits is proud to bring you the first ready-to-drink Japanese highball from Eigashima Shuzo’s Akashi Whisky. The distillery’s Akashi Whisky is made by its family’s ninth generation of operators who employ centuries old traditions and techniques. Their blended malt and grain whisky is amplified by fresh yuzu (Japanese citrus) in a citrus-forward take on the classic highball. Canned at 7% ABV, this crushable highball is packed full of flavor and is built for sessionability.
tasting notes
Bubbly and bright, it is bursting with aromas of yuzu zest that marry beautifully with the maltiness of Akashi’s blended whisky. This is pure refreshment in a canned cocktail
Kamitaka Mizumoto Junmai Sake 15% ABV
Mizumoto is the earliest recorded technique in sake production, predating both kimoto and yamahai methods. Mizumoto or "water starter" is a process by which the rice is first soaked in water to promote lactic acid fermentation. This soaking water is then saved and used as the brewing water for the production alongside the koji, soaked rice, and yeast. The fermentation time takes roughly 3 weeks to a month before the mash is pressed, filtered, heated, and subsequently rested in tanks for an additional 6 months to a year. Before bottling, water is added, and the sake is heated one more time. The Hitomebore is a table rice that has more fat and proteins that lend well to a lower polish (30% removed) and the mizumoto process. The result is a sturdy sake, strong in rich rice flavors that are balanced by an assertively dry acidity. Fantastic with richer foods! Pair this sake with soft ripe cheeses, grilled meat, katsu, and rich fish dishes.
limited release
AKASHI SINGLE MALT BOURBON BARREL 7YR 50% ABV
This special Akashi single malt is aged for seven years exclusively in first fill ex-bourbon barrels and is the oldest we have seen state side from this small but mighty distillery. A rich nose full of marzipan, pecans, and peat smoke, layers wonderfully with its weighty palate. The flavor is packed with grilled figs, clove, vanilla cream, cocoa powder, and sea salt. The Akashi Single Malt 7yr Bourbon Barrel is sure to be a watermark for the distillery in years to come.
BOTTLE SIZE
750ML
ABV PERCENTAGE
50% ABV
PEATED
10 PPM
style
SINGLE MALT
STILLS
COPPER POT
AGING
7 YEARS
US bottle release
492 bottles
Chill Filtration
Non-Chill Filtered
barrels used to age
First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels
Awards
2023 Silver: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
AKASHI SOMMELIER SERIES #2 50.0% ABV
PINOT CASK FINISH
Released in the fall of 2019 after resting 3 years in Pinot Noir Casks, the color is slightly lighter than Akashi’s Wine Cask first edition. This whisky’s pale straw color is highlighted by faint pinkish hues from the barrel.
tasting notes
The nose has classic malt aromas with black tea, walnut and a dried floral character. The palate has more fruit than the nose would suggest. At 50% ABV the whisky is powerful but in balance, as the drying texture pairs nicely with the elegance in the notable red fruit finish.
STYLE: SINGLE MALT
SIZE: 750ml
AGED: 2.5 YRS
BARREL: PINOT NOIR CASKS +3 YRS
AKASHI 4 YEAR UMESHU CASK AGED SINGLE MALT 50% ABV
Eigashima has been producing high quality ex-bourbon barrel aged umeshu / plum wine for decades. This unique barreling offsets the sweetness of plums and adds a body and depth in flavor more similar to artisanal brandy. This release is Eigashima's classic single malt whisky aged 3 years in ex-bourbon casks and then finished for 1 year in house seasoned ex-umeshu casks.
tasting notes
Crisp with a delicious maltiness and hints of vanilla. A mellow and soft texture balanced by white chocolate & almond notes.
STYLE: SINGLE MALT
BASE: MALTED BARLEY
STILLS: COPPER POT
AGING: 4 YEARS
CASK TYPES: EX-BOURBON & 1 YR UMESHU CASK
AKASHI 5 YEAR SAKE CASK AGED SINGLE MALT 50% ABV
This single malt whisky was aged in American oak casks that had a traditional rich, concerntrated & sweet style of sake aged in it known as Kijoushu. Somewhat similar to port or sherry, Kijoushu has the ability to stand up to American oak casks and impart flavors never before expressed in whisky. This release is aged a total of 5 years making it 2 years older than the first Akashi Sake Cask release of 2019.
tasting notes
Crisp with a delicious maltiness and hints of vanilla. A mellow and soft texture balanced by white chocolate & almond notes.
STYLE: SINGLE MALT
BASE: MALTED BARLEY
STILLS: COPPER POT
AGING: 4 YEAR BOURBON + 1 YEAR KIJOSHU
CASK TYPES: EX-BOURBON & KIJOSHU CASKS
akashi pinot noir
The Sommelier Series is a collaborative project between Eigashima Distillery and Master Sommelier and Tokiwa Imports Co-Founder Ken Fredrickson. This Pinot Noir cask finished single malt is the second edition in the series, aged 4 years in ex-bourbon barrels before resting for an additional 18 months in Pinot Noir Sirgue French oak casks sourced from an esteemed winery in Lompoc, California. It was released in the Fall of 2019. Robust with notes of red fruits, malt and floral essence, the palate has a richness that finishes long with soft, round edges. This is an exclusive 630 bottle release.
tasting notes
Black tea, walnut, dried flowers on the nose. Stone fruits, tobacco and leather on the palate.
TYPE: SINGLE MALT
AGED: 5.5 years
ABV: 50.0%
BOTTLES RELEASED: 630
NOTES: Released in the fall of 2019 after resting 3 years in Pinot Noir Casks, the color is slightly lighter than Akashi’s Wine Cask first edition. This whisky’s pale straw color is highlighted by faint pinkish hues from the barrel. The nose has classic malt aromas with black tea, walnut and a dried floral character. The palate has more fruit than the nose would suggest. At 50% abv the whisky is powerful but in balance, as the drying texture pairs nicely with the elegance in the notable red fruit finish.
Akashi Sake Cask Aged Single Malt
tasting notes
Walnut & vanilla on the notes with a hint of peat. The palate explodes with bittersweet orange, mixed fruit and then chocolate covered banana. The finish leaves gorgeous notes of black tea leaves & leather. Amazing whisky.
ABV: 50.0%
SIZE: 750ml
STYLE: SINGLE MALT
BARRLES: KIJOUSHU SAKE CASK
SPECIAL NOTE: AGED 3 YEARS
akashi Sherry Cask
The Akashi Single Malt Sherry Cask is a limited, annual release. This delightfully elegant single malt is aged 5 years in Pedro Ximenez casks then finished in Oloroso casks. A beautiful depiction of Japanese whisky and ideal for any sherry lover.
tasting notes
Robust sherry, orange zest, toasted oat, vanilla and raisins.
TYPE: SINGLE MALT
AGED: 5 years
ABV: 50.0%
BOTTLES RELEASED: Annual
NOTES: Single malt aged 5 years in Pedro Ximenez casks then finished in Oloroso casks.