Well everyone, as promised last week, here’s the followup to the tiny teaser I had in the image from last week. I’ve achieved a goal I’ve had for years, damn near a decade, and I’m finally working for my favorite eSports team ever, Cloud9. For the longest time I slaved away in front of my computer screen grinding out ranked games with hopes to be a player one day, but it’s obvious to me now that my talents lay in other branch of the brand; in the Marketing department.
To celebrate this fantastic success of which I’ve too little to say and too much all the same, I’ve picked up a sparkler of a presentation from the liquor store. Another Japanese whiskey!
Hatozaki Small Batch
Kaikyo Distillery / Akashi City, Hyōgo, Japan
$59.99
46% / 92 Proof
Nose
Pleasant, floral, honeydew and a tinge of spice. I feel mostly soft notes of candied fruits and an overall gentle aroma. An adventure into a Japanese field, with green wavering bamboo in the distance and wheat grain bristling in the wind along your thigh.
Palate
A burst of heat and honeysuckle, watermelon, and simple syrup flow into heavy fresh ground pepper, a subtle five spice. An abrupt enhancement to the very subtle and timid nose.
Finish
Deep and warm, sticking to the sides and really turning up the heat. Quite a surprisingly spicy finish for a light blend.
Thoughts
Hatozaki has been a surprisingly little treat. While I wish I would have bit the bullet and bought a pricier bottle to celebrate the occasion, there is still plenty of time to look forward into the future with that temptation. It’s been one of the first whiskies in a while I’m not tempted to drink too much of, and that’s a welcome change as going to deep into any bottle is always recipe for trouble. I certainly think the Hatozaki has a place on a shelf, albeit for a more refined palate. I’d recommend it if you’re really into Japanese whiskies like myself—well, I’m into all whisky, let’s be honest—or if you really want to impress your whisky loving friends with something fun and relatively affordable.
7.5/10 - Deceptively bold and enjoyable, but not for the beginner to sip on. Priced fairly.