【Silver Medal 90 points - 2021 IWSC-International Wine and Spirit Competition】
【Upholding the philosophy and craftsmanship of sake brewing】
ZJ226 - Eigashima Toji's Select Whisky
Special Price：$240/bottle
Region/Grade: Japan
Alcohol Content: 43%
Volume: 700ml
Distillery: Eijima Shuzo
Light and elegant on the palate, with a delicate oiliness, honeyed fruit notes, and hints of the Seto Inland Sea breeze.
As Japan's first distillery to obtain a whisky production licence, Eijima Shuzo upholds the philosophy and craftsmanship of sake brewing. This smooth, light-bodied blended whisky is crafted using Eijima's unique traditional methods. ‘Eijima Blended Whisky’ is the flagship product commemorating the 100th anniversary of Eijima Shuzo's acquisition of Japan's first whisky production licence in 1919. Meticulously blended by the brewery's master sake brewer, the Toji, it combines grain and malt whiskies matured in specially selected premium bourbon and sherry casks.
‘Toji's Selection’ embodies the distillery's century-old heritage of distinctive, artisanal craftsmanship, enhanced by the contemporary blending vision of the modern Toji.
Kōejima: A Top 100 Japanese Distillery with 340 Years of History
Location of Kōejima Distillery
Akashi is the whisky brand of Kōejima Distillery. The distillery's history dates back to 1679. By 1888, Hyōkichi Urbe established Eijima Shuzō Co., Ltd., which rose to become one of Japan's top 100 enterprises during the nation's Meiji era heyday in 1896. Eijima created numerous renowned Japanese sake and shochu brands including Nihon-kon, Yuri Masamune, and Shin-taka, once ranking as Japan's fourth-largest brewing enterprise. It was repeatedly selected among the nation's top 100 industrial companies.
Wooden licence issued by the government to Kojima Shuzo in 1679
Akashi's founder, Hyōkichi Urabe, swiftly developed the factory into a diversified brewing enterprise. Kojima's products were exported to overseas markets such as Hawaii, USA, with their own fleet escorting the shipments. To this day, Eijima remains one of Japan's few family-run, comprehensive distilleries with over a century of brewing expertise. It currently produces diverse spirits including sake, shochu, whisky, wine, plum wine, and brandy, having even launched a unique ‘whisky plum wine’.
Kōejima: The world's sole whisky distillery adhering to the Tamba Toji philosophy, holding Japan's inaugural distilling licence
In 1919, Kojima secured Japan's inaugural whisky distilling licence and began experimenting with non-Scottish methods, adhering to traditional Japanese brewing techniques. This approach continues to this day, making it the world's sole whisky distilled according to the ‘Tamba Toji’ sake philosophy.
Tamba Toji, the master brewer of Kojima Shuzo, embodies this philosophy:
‘There are no shortcuts to crafting fine spirits. Only unwavering conviction and an honest heart can allow century-honed techniques to reach their zenith within the oak cask.’
1961: First distillation of whisky
It is worth noting that this predates the establishment of two renowned Japanese whisky distilleries: the Yamazaki Distillery, founded in 1923, and the Yoichi Distillery, founded in 1934. Kōejima has consistently been a pioneer in the history of Japanese whisky production.
