Eiko Vodka Japan 70 cl 40%

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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Frequently asked questions about Eiko Vodka

What do three distillations and four filtrations do to the flavour?

They take the edges off. Distillation removes the heaviest alcohols first, and filtration picks up the rest, including the compounds that carry bitterness. The cost is that the raw material's own imprint turns faint, which is why Eiko reads as delicate rather than forceful.

What is Eiko made from?

It is a grain based vodka of Japanese production, but sources disagree on which raw material sits at the bottom of it. We would rather leave that undocumented than guess. Rice it is not — rice belongs to sake and shochu in the Japanese spirits tradition.

How is it best served?

Chilled, but not ice cold. Too cold and the very liquorice note that makes it interesting disappears. Take it from the fridge rather than the freezer, and use a small glass with a gathered rim so the scent is held in place.

Which drinks work?

The clear, simple ones. A Vodka Martini with a lemon twist or a Vodka Soda lets the liquorice through, where heavy sweet drinks bury it completely. A Japanese style highball with grapefruit works surprisingly well.

Why does it come from Hokkaido?

Because the island has the water and the cold. Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island with long winters and ample soft water, and that combination has made it home to breweries and distilleries alike. Nikka's Yoichi sits on the same island.

How long does an opened bottle keep?

Several years with a tight closure, though the aroma weakens. Precisely because Eiko has a fine, delicate scent, you notice it earlier here than on a robust vodka. With a third left, drink it within six months if you want the full experience.

What characterises Japanese Vodka?

Precision and restraint. Japanese houses work towards balance rather than impact, and the filtration often runs more stages than in Europe. That yields soft, light vodkas closer in temperament to shochu. Look at the other Vodka brands and compare for yourself.