Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy The First Single Malt Whisky

Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy The First Single Malt is the inaugural single malt release from Akkeshi Distillery — located on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, further east than any other Japanese distillery. The Akkeshi region’s cool, moist climate with frequent rolling sea fog from the Bekan-Beushi wetlands closely resembles Islay’s maritime peat-influenced conditions, and the distillery deliberately blends traditional Scottish methods with the local environment to create whisky with distinctively Islay-adjacent character.

“Sarorunkamuy” is an Ainu (indigenous Hokkaido) word meaning “marsh deity” — reflecting the Bekan-Beushi wetlands surrounding the distillery and the spiritual significance of the marsh landscape in Ainu culture. Akkeshi began distilling in 2016 with the explicit goal of producing Japanese whisky that captures Islay-style maritime peated character through a uniquely Hokkaido environmental signature.

Specs

• Distillery: Akkeshi Distillery, Hokkaido, Japan (production since 2016)
• Style: Japanese Single Malt Whisky — Sarorunkamuy The First (inaugural release)
• Size: 750ml

Browse all Japanese whisky at Wooden Cork.