The very popular Japanese selection of whiskies created by noted Japanese whisky observer Stefan van Eycken, who authored Whisky Rising, a highly comprehensive book on Japanese whiskies, and was previously the editor of online Japanese whisky dedicated site Nonjatta, is out with Ghost #19 - an Unpeated Akkeshi 2019.

This Unpeated Akkeshi 2019 was selected alongside Hideo Yamaoka of Whisky Mew, known for his manga-labelled Scotch whiskies.

Akkeshi Distillery.

"This time I chose Akkeshi Distillery. Keiichi Hida, president of Akkeshi Distillery, established the distillery in the town of Akkeshi in the eastern part of Hokkaido, where there is fog and wetlands near Islay, with the desire to make whisky like Islay malt using traditional Scottish methods. 

Since starting distillation in November 2016, the distillery has been attracting attention from around the world. 

Hideo Yamaoka of Whisky Mew at Akkeshi Distillery. (Image Source: Whisky Mew)

Since the distillery is aiming for Islay malt, it mainly releases peaty type whiskey, but this time, Hideo Yamaoka remembered the wonderfulness of unpeated new spirits that he tasted when the distillery was established, and tasted unpeated barrels with Mr. Stefan. 

We have bottled a well-balanced barrel that harmonizes the characteristics of the spirit and the influence of the barrel. This will be the first time for Akkeshi Distillery to release an unpeated single cask."

The new Ghost #19 features the print of The Death Stone of Nasu Moor, which tells the story of:

"A concubine named Tamano put a spell on the emperor, and she turned into a nine-tailed fox during a ceremony and ran away. However, she was captured and turned into a rock called the Death Stone. Three hundred years later, when a priest performed ceremonies, Tamano was released from the Death Stone."

| Read: First Impressions From An Early Arriver To Japan's Whisky New Era: Stefan van Eycken Takes Us Ghostbusting

(Image Source: Slow-Style)

Official Tasting Notes From Stefan van Eycken

Nose: The nose is very attractive and complex, exhibiting a harmonious balance of spirit character and oak influence. Kyogi (paper-thin slabs of red pine), salted peanuts, brazil nuts, freshly cut grass, and in the background faint flowers and herbs, caramel mousse, butter-grilled apples, fresh currants. , with lingonberry jam.

Taste: Creamy texture with a distinctly effervescent attack (candied ginger, lemon zest). It also features an assortment of nuts, fresh herbs (lemongrass, mint), mandarin oranges, plum wine jelly, and lingering red pepper. Add a few drops of water for a mild sweetness.

Finish: The peppers carry over to the finish, which is extremely long and intense, with hints of lemon curd, bitter orange marmalade, apricot Danish pastry, and towards the end, honeyed oatmeal and baked buns.

Official Tasting Notes From Hideo Yamaoka

Nose: the nose is utterly beguiling, complex and indicative of a harmonious balance between the character of the spirit and the influence of the wood; suggestive of kyogi (paper-thin sheets of akamatsu), salted peanuts, brazil nuts, freshly cut grass with floral and herbal hints in the background, caramel mousse, apples grilled in butter, fresh gooseberries and lingonberry jam

Palate: a creamy mouthfeel with a distinctly effervescent attack (candied ginger and lemon zest); also hints of assorted nuts, fresh herbs (lemongrass, mint), kaffir lime, umeshu jelly and a persistent red chili note; a few drops of water bring out a gentle sweetness

Finish: the chili carries over into the finish, which is extremely long and intense with hints of lemon curd, bitter orange marmalade, apricot Danish pastries and, towards the end, oatmeal-with-honey and yaki manju

The 3 Year Old Unpeated expression was bottled at 58% ABV, with a total of 196 bottles being released by lottery via Whisky Mew. It is priced at 27,500 Yen (or US$196.40).

Enter Lottery Here

(Runs From 30 May 2023 12:00 To 31 May 2023 23:59)

The Ghost Series

 The Ghost Series bottlings have become incredibly sought after. (Image Source: Bonhams)

The Ghost Series started out as a project by Stefan van Eycken to bottle some interesting and rare Japanese whiskies for fans of his blog Nonjatta (which anyone interested in Japanese whiskies should know of by now, or if you haven't should definitely check out). Along the way, it has seen some incredible bottlings that have included Karuizawa's mythical "rouge casks" from the one single year that parent, Mercian, aged Karuizawa's whiskies in wine casks, to peated Hanyu and Chichibu whiskies, and as of late has focused more on Eigashima Distillery's Akashi whiskies, featuring very unusual ex-Sake American Oak casks and Cabernet Franc casks.

Yoshitoshi's last master works titled "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts". (Image Source: The Value)

The series is also distinctive in its labelling, with each label featuring a print of Japan's last woodblock print Master, Yoshitoshi's, final series of works titled "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts". It is said that the woodblock print selected for that specific bottle's label draws some resonance with the whisky that is being bottled.

Images courtesy of Whisky Mew.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team