Akkeshi – Blended Whisky Shosetsu (70cl, 48%)

Akkeshi Blended Whisky Shosetsu is the 13th release in Akkeshi's 24 Solar Terms Series, named for the 'little snow' period when the first snow reaches the mountain peaks. It blends malt whisky made from Hokkaido-grown barley with grain whisky, aged for 3 to 5 years in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and Hokkaido Mizunara oak casks. Because the grain whisky is imported and matured at Akkeshi, it counts as a world blended whisky. It is bottled at 48% in a 70cl bottle. The nose is more peaty than earlier Akkeshi winter releases, with the spicy sweetness of Mizunara oak and the distillery's citrus notes. The palate is well balanced and fairly light in body.