There’s no better place to discover both classic and new spirits than High Road Spirits. The company is composed of storytellers, producers, and educators, all aiming to discover and share something innovative. Discovery drives High Road Spirits to deliver the best products to its customers.
High Road Spirits is dedicated to exploring and discovering brands that offer high quality and memorable liquor. Each brand that it works with has the integrity and humility to supply amazing craft liquors that will make a mark on anyone’s palate.
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Where Akashi Whisky Was Born
Akashi whisky is produced at Eigashima Shuzo, one of Japan’s oldest family-run distilleries. Currently located in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, it began operations in 1679 and carries more than 100 years of whisky-making experience. The distillery honors honesty highly; under the direction of Mr. Hiraishi, the 9th generation leader, it maintains impressive standards in production.
The only distillery in Japan located by the sea (Photo from @thepeatstory Instagram page)
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Eigashima Shuzo is also known as “Japan’s Microdistillery,” having only just hired its 7th employee to work full time. It also boasts of being one of the top 100 corporations in Japan’s Meiji Era. They were the first distillery to get a whisky-making license in Japan (1919) and follow traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
The Revival and Success of Ichiro’s Malt
Ichiro’s Malt hails from Chichibu Distillery, Saitama. It originated with the production of malt whiskies at Hanyu Distillery, owned by Ichiro Akuto’s grandfather. The craft of creating alcoholic beverages in Saitama has long been in the blood of Ichiro’s forefathers and continues today.
Ichiro’s Malt experienced success after its revival (Photo from @highroadspirits Instagram page)
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Before Hanyu Distillery closed down, Ichiro saved the remaining whisky casks. He released the whisky after the economic bubble of the 1990s burst—at first it did not get a warm reception from customers, but that didn’t deter Ichiro. The Playing Card Series marked the revival of artisan Japanese whisky, leading to the opening of the Chichibu Distillery.
Akashi Whisky and Ichiro's Malt Selections
1. Akashi Whisky
A blend of Japanese and foreign taste (Photo from @highroadspirits Instagram page)
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Akashi Whisky is blended with lightly peated malt and grain and matured in casks used for bourbon and sochu as well as casks made from virgin oak. Expect the best flavors coming from Japanese style and process—this is one of the best whiskies to enjoy for an introduction into the classic Japanese palate.
It starts with a nose of dried fruit and apricot and provides a clean flavor with hints of peat. This expression is specially produced with the European market in mind and the blend is a mix of foreign-made malt and grain whiskey with locally made varieties. Akashi Whisky is a very reasonably priced blend for everyday consumption.
2. Akashi Single Malt
Another great choice for introducing Japanese single malt whisky to the tongue
(Photo from @kabukiwhisky.jp Instagram page)
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The Akashi Single Malt sports a unique blend of wine, bourbon, brandy, sherry, and American oak. It’s Akashi’s flagship malt and is produced using lightly peated barley in three different casks.
Its taste is smooth with powdered sugar, yellow apple, and angelica fruits. There are also hints of sea air in every sip along with a musky mix of woodiness. The presence of cocoa and white chocolate is visible as one continues to enjoy the expression and the finish is short with a bitter drying spice.
3. Ichiro's Malt & Grain Whisky
An All-World Blend and the first of its kind ((Photo from @highroadspirits Instagram page)
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Ichiro's Malt & Grain Whisky offers flavors of cooked fruits and lemon zest along with tropical notes. Thanks to its selection of blends, including varieties of Canadian rye, scotch, American whiskey, and Irish whiskey, it’s smooth and tasty.
The nose gives out popcorn toffee, vanilla cream, and apricot aroma. Expect light textures of toffee-roasted chestnut gingerbread in the palate alongside black pepper and vanilla flavors. It has a medium-long finish with hints of black pepper and honey.
4. Ichiro's Malt The US Edition 2018
(Photo from @barmanschoice Instagram page)
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Ichiro's Malt The US Edition 2018 is one of the three special limited releases from Chichibu Distillery. It uses four ex-bourbon barrels and one hogshead with Mizunara oak heads. The flavor starts with a sweet aroma and evolves into a slightly bitter taste.
The expression was created by Ichiro Akuto as part of the plan to venture out to three markets: the U.S, London, and Paris.
Savory Whiskey Filled With Purity
Akashi Whisky and Ichiro's Malt brands are bringing the true taste of Japanese whisky to a bigger market. Through the help of companies like High Road Spirits, more doors are opening for these unique expressions.
Akashi Whisky and Ichiro's Malt are some of the rarest whiskies available in today’s market. These distilleries continue to produce the best products through refined and high-quality processes in order to deliver the best of their bottles straight to customers’ glasses.
Where to Buy Links:
Third Base Market and Spirits, Grover Beach, CA
Mission Wine & Spirits, Los Angeles, CA
Remedy Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA
Pike's Wine & Liquor, Elmont, NY
Stirling Fine Wines, Stirling, NJ
San Francisco Wine Trading Company, San Francisco, CA
Varmax Liquor Pantry, Port Chester, NY
Blue Streak Wines, Long Island City, NY
K&L Wine Merchants, Redwood City, CA
West Side Wines and Spirits, Hartford, CT
Sunfish Cellars Wine & Spirits, Lilydale, MN
The Cellar d'Or Wine & Cider, Ithaca, NY
Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA
Lincoln Fine Wines, Venice, CA
Benash Liquor Store, Cherry Hill, NJ
Greenwood Grape & Still, New York, NY
Michael Towne Wines & Spirits, Brooklyn, NY
The Wine Connection, San Diego, San Diego, CA
Empire State of Wine, New York, CA
Village Wine & Spirits Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Union Square Wine & Spirits, New York, NY
Citarella Wines and Spirits, New York, NY
Norfolk Wine & Spirits, Norfolk, MA
Beverly Hills Liquor and Wine, Beverly Hills, CA
Internet Wines & Spirits, Fairview Heights, IL
Potomac Wines & Spirits, Washington, DC
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References:
https://www.highroadspirits.com/
https://www.highroadspirits.com/akkeshi
https://www.highroadspirits.com/about-high-road-spirits
https://www.highroadspirits.com/akashi
https://www.highroadspirits.com/ichiros-malt
Grechelle Magbanua
Professional Content Writer
Social Scene
