As early as 1919, Japan's Eigashima distillery in Akashi, near Kobe – a sake brewery since 1679 – became the very first distillery in the country to obtain a licence to produce whisky, four years before Suntory's famous Yamazaki distillery. It remains active today under the brand name White Oak.
Despite this early licence, it took around 40 years before Eigashima actually produced whisky; the modern distillery was only built in 1984. From the Akashi Blended Whisky to the Akashi Single Malt, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.
Content: 0.5 Liter (€55.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.5 Liter (€47.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.5 Liter (€97.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.5 Liter (€59.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.5 Liter (€63.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
CODE: BLACK25
Content: 0.5 Liter (€191.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
How did a sake brewery become Japan's whisky pioneer?
Eigashima Shuzo was founded as a sake brewery as early as 1679 and expanded into shochu, umeshu, and wine in 1888. In 1919, the company secured Japan's very first whisky production licence – even ahead of Suntory's Yamazaki distillery, which only obtained its licence in 1923. Remarkably, despite this head start, it took around forty years before the traditional sake brewery actually became a whisky producer.
When did the first Akashi single malt reach the market?
The modern distillery in Akashi, near Kobe, was built in 1984 and still serves both whisky and sake production today. It was only in 2007 that the company released its first own whisky bottling, an 8-year-old single malt under the Akashi brand name.
Overview of the most popular bottlings
1. Akashi Blended Whisky
The approachable entry point into the brand.
Taste: Mild and round with light fruit.
Serving suggestion: A good introduction to Japanese whisky.
2. Akashi Single Malt Whisky
The distillery's pure single malt.
Taste: Malty and fruity with subtle spice.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting to get to know the distillery's single malt character.
3. Akashi Meisei Blended Whisky
Another of the distillery's blends.
Taste: Sweet and approachable with caramel notes.
Serving suggestion: An uncomplicated everyday whisky.
Facts and figures
Location: Akashi, near Kobe, Japan. Company founded: 1679 (as a sake brewery). Whisky licence: 1919 (Japan's first). Modern distillery: built 1984.