Akkeshi – Shosho 2021 Edition Summer Fades (70cl, 48%)

Akkeshi Shosho 2021 Edition, Summer Fades, is a lightly peated Japanese whisky from Akkeshi Distillery on Hokkaido, bottled at 48% in a 70cl bottle. The distillery was founded in 2016. Shosho is the point in the traditional Japanese calendar when summer turns to autumn, and this release is part of the distillery's 24 Solar Terms series. It matured in ex-bourbon, sherry, red wine and locally grown Mizunara oak casks. The nose has citrus, grilled persimmon and a little smoke. The palate is silky, with citrus, sea salt, light peat smoke and palo santo. The finish is warming, balancing sweetness and smoke, like a dying campfire.