Today we are pleased to announce the arrival of “Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Ritto””, a new limited release from Kenten Jitsugyo and Akkeshi Distillery.
This is the first release in three months since the last blended whisky “shosho” was released.
・Phase 1 Single Malt Whisky ”kanro” Oct. 28, 2020 Release
・Phase 2 Blended Whisky “usui” Feb. 28, 2021 Release
・Phase 3 Single Malt Japanese Whisky”boushu” May. 28, 2021 Release
・Phase 4 Blended Whisky”shosho” Aug. 25, 2021 Release
・Phase 5 Single Malt Japanese Whisky “ritto” Nov.25,2021 Release
Ritto” is the time between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, when there are still strong signs of autumn, but the weather is steadily changing to winter.
It is the 19th day of the 24 solar terms, and together with risshunn, rikka, and risshuu, it is called “shiritsu,” or “four rising days,” and is an important day as a seasonal milestone.The ritto for 2021 is November 7.It also refers to about 15 days from November 7 to November 22, the next twenty-fourth of the next twenty-fourth lunar month, Syousetu.
The packaging and label design of Akkeshi whisky up until now has been a subdued and austere design, but this new design is very colorful and pops.The main event during the ritto period is “Shichi-Go-San,” so Chitose Ame is the motif of the design.
Key malt is “Hokkaido Malt”. This is very exciting.
Mainly in sherry casks, key malt is “Hokkaido Malt Sake” aged in Mizunara oak casks
The use of Mizunara oak barrel-aged Hokkaido malt malt distilled in 2018 as the key malt, and other Hokkaido malt malt malt aged in wine barrels (Pinot Noir), also from Hokkaido, brings out a rich, mellow flavor.The key malt (in this case, Quercus crispula) plays an important role in creating the whisky’s character, even if it is only in small quantities.
The gorgeous sweetness and chocolate-like sweetness that one would expect from a sherry cask come to the fore.The acidity of the fruit can also be felt, and the flavors change in the mouth one after another.The peat is a bit more subdued this time, but you can still feel the axial thick peat in the aftertaste.
Tasting Notes
| Flavor | Floral, chocolate, orange |
| Taste | Cocoa, brown sugar, fresh fruit acidity, mellow, full and rich |
| Aftertaste | After the sweetness, the peat peculiar to Akkeshi comes out and continues faintly. |
Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 55% |
| Liquor categories | Single Malt Whisky |
| Cask type | Quercus barrels, sherry barrels, wine barrels (Pinot Noir), etc. |
| Volume and quantity | 700ml |
| No. of products sold | limited quantity |
| Date of release | Nov. 25, 2021 |
| BAR Shinkai Offer price | one glass costs 45ml: 5,610yen, 30ml: 3,740yen, 15ml: 1,870yen |
BAR Shinkai offers this service at Toranomon, as well as at all Azabujuban and Daimon. If you are interested, please give it a try.
For more information on 「Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Ritto”」see this article.
Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rittou – feature (jpwhisky.net)]
For a full list of BARShinkai’s whisky menu, click here.
