Ten years in a sake cask: Eigashima's new whisky

Few breweries in Japan make both sake and whisky. Eigashima Shuzo (Eigashima Shuzo) in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, a seaside town on the Seto Inland Sea to the west of Kobe, is one of those few. On 17 July 2026 the company released Kasuku Sake Cask 10 Years, a single malt Japanese whisky matured for ten years in oak casks that had been used to age sake. Only 850 bottles have been filled.

A sake brewery and a whisky distillery in one

Eigashima Shuzo has brewed sake for more than 300 years, and obtained a whisky production licence in 1919. The distillery’s flagship brand, Akashi, is shipped not only within Japan but also overseas, and some readers may have come across it on a whisky shelf in Europe. In 2019 the distillery changed its name from White Oak Distillery to Eigashima Distillery. In 2025 it launched Kasuku, a series that puts the individual character of each cask front and centre. According to the company, the series has won gold medals at whisky competitions in Japan and abroad. The new release is the fourth in the series.

A maturation unlike bourbon or sherry casks

Casks that once held bourbon or sherry are commonly used to mature whisky. Casks used for ageing sake are rarely used. The brewery explains that, precisely because it makes sake, it was able to gather these casks and, knowing their character well, entrust them with ten years of maturation. According to blender Keita Okawa, these casks give a flavour different from both bourbon and wine casks, recalling fruit such as apricot and dried persimmon. The long maturation has also softened the sharpness of the alcohol, bringing roundness and depth.

Official tasting notes

In the tasting notes published by the brewery, the nose offers ripe fruit, apricot, apple nectar and a hint of smoke. The palate is mellow, with a good balance of acidity and sweetness. The finish brings a yoghurt-like lightness, woody notes, cinnamon-like spice and the Japanese character that comes from the sake cask. The strength is 50% ABV and the volume is 500 ml. The price is 17,600 yen (tax included), and sales have begun at the official online shop and at Eigashima Distillery.

This limited release may not be easy to find in Europe. Even so, it is worth watching for the words “Sake Cask” on bottle labels and in the descriptions at specialist whisky shops. They show a Japanese distillery using its ties to sake to try something new in maturation. When you drink it, first open up the aroma with a little water and look for fruit such as apricot and dried persimmon. The brewery recommends pairing it with Japanese confectionery. In Europe, dried apricots or lightly sweetened baked goods would offer a similar kind of enjoyment.