Eigashima Shuzo White Oak 2015

White Oak is the single malt range of Eigashima Shuzo, produced at the Akashi distillery in Hyogo prefecture under Japan's oldest whisky licence dating to 1919. This 2015 vintage was distilled and aged for six years before being bottled in 2021 at cask strength 62% for the Japanese market, combining Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso cask maturation.

The pairing of Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso wood offers complementary influences: the bourbon barrels contribute vanilla, orchard fruit and a creamy sweetness while the Oloroso sherry adds dried dark fruit, raisin and warming spice. Over six years and at the relatively high 62% bottling strength the two cask types are well-integrated, producing a richer and more layered whisky than either influence alone would suggest.