In Japanese whisky, “single grain” often (but not always) refers to the fact that the whisky is made from rice instead of barley. There are some who view this as essentially high-proof aged shochu (see the intro to this article), but there is often much more to this style of whisky than that. Teitessa is relatively new on the scene, and is made at the Fuji Takasago Distillery, also a sake brewery. A Sato still is used for distillation, which according to the brand is a column still shaped like a beehive on the inside that allows for better selection of the head and heart of the spirit. There are various expressions to choose from with an age range that rivals some of the best known scotch brands out there. The 15 and 25 are aged in American white oak barrels; the 20, 27, and 30 are aged in a trio of Spanish, American, and French oak. True, these don’t taste like Japanese single malts, but that’s because they are not–they are, however, interesting and refined sipping whiskies that shouldn’t be dismissed by single malt purists. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

This distillery is a newcomer in the world of Japanese whisky, having only begun operations in 2016. Akkeshi is located in the far north of Japan on the island of Hokkaido, with a wet, cool climate that is likened to that of Islay in Scotland. This whisky, with a name that translates to “white crane,” is the first single malt release from the distillery, a young (at least three years old) blend of liquid aged in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, red wine casks, and Mizunara oak. It’s a fruity dram with notes of vanilla and spice, and being bottled at 96 proof provides a bit of heat that lingers on the palate as you sip. This is available in fairly limited numbers here in the US, but it’s definitely worth a try if you are a Japanese whisky fan. There are a few other expressions from the distillery to try as well, including the New Born “Foundations 4” blend matured in sherry and other types of casks, and the lightly-eated Usui blend. Get the latest intel on which bottles of booze are worth your hard-earned cash. Join Esquire Select.