Akashi Blended Whisky

Last Updated: 2/25/2021

Akashi “White Oak” Blended whisky is the entry-level product from Eigashima Shuzo. If you’re looking for an affordably-priced Japanese whisky, this is a great option.

Akashi Blended has also sparked a bit of controversy in the past. And like most blended Japanese whiskies, some of the blending components of Akashi may include Scotch.

In this post, we’ll get into all of that. We also cover tasting notes, the price of Akashi Blended, online retail options, similar whiskies, cocktail suggestions, and more.

Finding Akashi Blended and Price

This is one of the easier Japanese whiskies to track down.

Many Japanese restaurants and izakayas carry it. Non-Japanese bars with large spirits selections may also carry this blended whisky. Most of the time, you should expect to pay less than $10 for a 1.5-ounce pour.

On the retail side, prices range from $35-$45 in the United States. It’s best to walk away if prices are any higher than this. I’ll get into tasting notes in the next section. But I think Akashi Blended is an excellent whisky for the price. And it easily made my best budget Japanese whisky list.

Many online retailers deliver and offer competitive pricing too.

Akashi Blended Tasting Notes

Akashi “White Oak” Blended whisky is a soft Japanese whisky with a mild, apple-tinged sweetness. It’s more of a mixer than a contemplative spirit.

Specific tasting notes include toast, raw oats, lemon zest, golden apple, dried apricot, white pepper, caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla.

Overall, this is a smooth, straightforward whisky that’s light and grainy too. It’s a good value for the price. But if you’re looking for more character, I highly recommend Akashi Single Malt. Akashi also releases a number of limited-edition whiskies annually that are consistently excellent.

Akashi Blended Past and Present

Akashi Blended was originally a whisky for the Japanese market. And historically, Japan had a broad definition of what’s considered whisky in the first place.

Back in the day, Akashi used only a portion of house whisky, as well as imported Scotch. The majority of the blend was cane-based distillate.

When its original importer picked it up as-is and brought it into the EU, it ran face-first into a market with much higher legal and consumer standards for what can be labeled as whisky.

None of this was the fault of Akashi Blended’s producer Eigashima Shuzo. Wisely, however, they quickly changed to an all-malt and grain base.

The use of imported Scotch in the blend does continue. And that’s pretty standard for most whiskies in this class (Nikka Days, Tottori Blended, Kura the Whisky, etc.).

Similar Whiskies to Akashi

As an entry-level, authentic Japanese whisky, Akashi Blended is in a class with Mars Iwai blended, Suntory Toki, and Nikka Days. Of the group, it is the most like blended Scotch—go figure. It’s also slightly more expensive.

There are a whole host of newer Japanese blended whisky brands too. Tottori, Sasakawa, Togouchi, Nobushi, and Fuyu are some of the more well-known names. But these whiskies, and so many others are hardly Japanese. In general, most of these are distilled and aged entirely in Scotland.

I personally avoid these fakes. But I do recommend Johnny Walker Red as a solid Scotch alternative to Akashi’s blended whisky.

Serving White Oak Blended Whisky

This is a light-weight whisky, but it only has moderate complexity. It’s best served on the rocks, with a splash of water (mizuwari), or as a cocktail.

Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky Cocktails

This blended whisky makes for a mean Boulevardier, Manhattan, or base whisky in a Penicillin.

Serving Akashi as a Japanese highball is a good serving option, as well. This is particularly tasty with quality mineral water like St Geron or Perrier and garnished with mint (Forest Fragrance style).

Akashi Blended Product Info

• Distilled at the White Oak Distillery and in Scotland
• Mash Bill: lightly-peated malted barley and unmalted barley
• Age: NAS 
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
• Caramel color added

Eigashima Shuzo and Akashi Whisky

Founded: 1891   Location: Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture

Website: English / 日本語  

Akashi Whisky is a popular Japanese brand produced in Akashi, Hyogo by Eigashima Shuzo (江井ヶ嶋酒造). Similar to their most well-known brand– Eigashima is named for the neighborhood it’s within.

In 1919, they became the first licensed whisky distillery in Japan. Their whisky is made at the seaside White Oak Distillery. They also produce whisky under the Eigashima brand.

Eigashima Shuzo began as a sake brewery, founded in 1891. They still make sake under the Kamitaka brand. 

Learn more about the White Oak Distillery and Akashi Whisky