Hokkaido sits at the northern end of Japan, where snow stays on the ground for months and winter runs long enough that you start thinking in terms of purity and cold all by yourself. Eiko is distilled up there, and the name means glory.
Expert description
Eiko Vodka is a Japanese Vodka from Hokkaido, triple distilled and filtered four times, bottled at 40%.
Japanese vodka is still a small category next to whisky and shochu, but the craft is the same one Japanese distilleries have built their reputation on: many stages, tight control and a willingness to spend longer than strictly necessary. Eiko goes through distillation three times and then through the filters four times, one stage more than most vodkas receive.
Combining several distillations with an extra filtration removes the heavier compounds from both ends of the process. What remains is a vodka that barely bites. In return you have to go looking for the aroma: it is delicate and closes up if the bottle comes straight out of the freezer.
It has also collected silverware at the major competitions, among them a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019 and a category win at the World Vodka Awards in 2018. A reminder that Japan makes more than whisky.
Tasting notes
Nose
Delicate and lightly sweet with a trace of lemon peel. No alcohol prickle, but not much to grab hold of either if it is served too cold.
Palate
Soft and smooth with a clear liquorice note that slides into mild sweetness. Pepper arrives right at the end and stays very discreet.
Finish
Short and clean with a light peppery cross. The sweetness drops away quickly and leaves the mouth dry.
Specifications
Name: Eiko Vodka
Producer: Eiko
Region/Country: Hokkaido, Japan
Type: Japanese Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Triple distilled, filtered four times
EAN no.: 50708550
Serving suggestion: Lightly chilled in a small glass so the delicate aroma has room, or in a Vodka Martini with a twist of lemon.
Flavour profile
Soft · Clean · Liquorice-tinged · Discreetly sweet
Did you know?
Eiko means glory or honour in Japanese, and the packaging takes the name literally by putting a samurai on the bottle. It is not decoration but a direct translation of the word into a picture.
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