Akkeshi – Seimei Peated Single Malt 2022 (70cl, 55%)

Akkeshi Seimei is a peated Japanese single malt from the Akkeshi distillery on Hokkaido, bottled in 2022 at 55% in a 70cl bottle. It is the seventh release in the 24 Seki series, which follows the 24 seasonal divisions of the traditional East Asian solar calendar. Seimei marks nature waking after winter, and the label shows swallows returning for spring. It marries peated and unpeated malt whiskies matured in bourbon casks, with sherry casks, red wine casks and Hokkaido mizunara casks also used. It is bottled without chill-filtration or added colour. The nose brings caramel fudge, vanilla and manuka honey with citrus, soy sauce and a salty sea note. On the palate, citrus sweetness and sharpness meet honey. The finish leaves white pepper and salted lemon, with a chocolate-like sweetness.