Akashi Red Blended Japanese Whisky 50 cl 40%

On the coast at Akashi, where the Seto Inland Sea meets Hyōgo Prefecture, sits Japan's only whisky distillery built right on the water. From here comes an easy-drinking blend that carries centuries of sake craftsmanship into a Scottish-style whisky — made to be poured often, not just admired.

Expert's Description

Akashi Red is a Japanese Blended Whisky made from 30% malted barley and 70% grain whisky, matured in bourbon casks with a finishing period in sherry casks, and bottled at 40%.

The whisky comes from White Oak Distillery, run by Eigashima Shuzo — a brewer that has been making sake since 1679 and picked up one of Japan's earliest whisky licences back in 1919. It wasn't until 1984 that Mikio Hiraishi, great-grandson of founder Hyokichi Urabe, built a dedicated Scottish-style malt distillery and named it White Oak. The distillery still sits right on the Seto Inland Sea, making it the only whisky distillery in Japan located directly on the coast.

Akashi Red is the entry point into the range — an approachable blend that shows what Japanese "ji-whisky" (small, local distilling) can do without costing a fortune. It drinks easily on its own and really comes alive in a highball.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet cereal notes meet candied citrus, ripe peach and a touch of almond and grape, backed by a hint of spiced wood.

Palate

Brown sugar and ginger biscuit sit alongside soft milk chocolate and dried apricot — round and gently sweet through the middle.

Finish

Oaky vanilla and a light dusting of pepper drift into a soft, short finish.

Specifications

Name: Akashi Red Japanese Blended Whisky
Distillery: White Oak Distillery
Region/Country: Japan
Type: Japanese Blended Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
EAN no.: 4969265773134

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Cereal-sweet · Light sherry note · Spiced · Soft

Did You Know?

White Oak Distillery is the only whisky distillery in Japan built directly on the coast — a setting the distillery says lends a faint, maritime edge to some of its casks.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Akashi Red Japanese Blended Whisky

What does Akashi Red taste like?

Akashi Red is light and fruity, with peach, citrus and almond on the nose, followed by brown sugar, ginger biscuit and dark chocolate on the palate. The finish is short and soft, with a touch of pepper and oaky vanilla.

What makes Akashi Red different from other Japanese whiskies?

Akashi Red comes from White Oak Distillery, which started out as a sake brewery in 1679. That blend of sake tradition and Scottish-inspired whisky-making gives Akashi Red a softer, more cereal-driven character than many other Japanese blends.

What's the best way to serve Akashi Red?

Try it as a highball with soda water and plenty of ice — that's how it's most often enjoyed in Japan, and it really lets the sweet cereal notes shine. It also works well neat, at room temperature.

Where does Akashi Red come from?

Akashi Red is produced at White Oak Distillery in the city of Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture — the only Japanese whisky distillery built directly on the coast, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

Is Akashi Red a good introduction to Japanese whisky?

Yes — Akashi Red is deliberately built as an accessible entry point into Japanese whisky: easy to drink, no rough edges, and well suited to experimenting with in highballs and cocktails.

What's the story behind White Oak Distillery?

Eigashima Shuzo, the company behind White Oak, started out as a sake producer in 1679 and secured one of Japan's first whisky licences in 1919. The Scottish-style malt distillery itself wasn't built until 1984, by Mikio Hiraishi, great-grandson of the founder.