Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value.
Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name from the Japanese dining tradition of “I’ll leave it up to you”. The philosophy places trust in the expertise of the maker, in this case giving Master Distiller and Blender Kimio Yonezawa the freedom to explore new approaches to blending, maturation and flavour.
Rather than following a fixed house style, each release is built around a distinct creative idea, that draws inspiration from both Japanese heritage and international whisky traditions.
Rather than following a fixed house style, each release is built around a distinct creative idea…
Hatozaki experimental Japanese whisky
Master blender Yonezawa says the Hatozaki Omakase Collection provides an opportunity to continue learning through experimentation. The Fifth Edition introduces sakura wood casks to the Hatozaki range, while the Sixth explores the possibilities of incorporating bourbon into the blend for the first time, before an extended mizunara finish.
“Throughout my journey in whisky I am always learning, and with new knowledge come new opportunities to experiment,” says Yonezawa. “Both of these expressions bring something new to the Hatozaki label, from Sakura wood casks to incorporating bourbon within the blend. It allows us to share our whisky-making philosophy while continuing to learn how whisky matures in our part of Japan.”
Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition tasting notes
The Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition marks the first time bourbon has been incorporated into a Hatozaki blend – and its influence is distinct. Matured in American oak to foster flavours of coconut, vanilla and toasted spice, the whisky is then finished for three years in mizunara wood.
Bottled at 42% ABV and limited to 1,884 bottles globally, the Sixth Edition is the rarer of the two new expressions, and we’ve been giving it an early taste.
It pours a rich gold colour, and the nose offers a familiar bourbon sweetness, with aromas of vanilla, raisins and toasted oak, albeit undercut by an aromatic spice.
The palate confirms a caramel sweetness, balanced by sandalwood, mizunara pepper, and subtle liquorice notes. The finish is long and dry.
Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition tasting notes
The Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition is a five-year-old blended malt finished for a year in sakura cherrywood casks, after initial maturation in new charred oak barrels.
Inspired by Japan’s celebrated cherry blossom season, the whisky aims to capture the elegance and fleeting beauty associated with sakura. Limited to just 3,480 bottles worldwide and bottled at 46% ABV, the Fifth Edition displays a deep amber colour in the glass.
The nose is said to offer toasted vanilla, dried fruits and delicate floral aromas, complemented by subtle hints of cherry blossom. On the palate expect a silky texture, balancing sweet malt with warming spice and gentle fruit notes, before finishing with lingering floral and spice complexity.
The Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition Sakura Cask Finish is priced at £63 (€73 / $85). The Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition Mizunara Cask Finish sells for £60 (€68 / $80).
Torabhaig hs launched The Distillers’ Series, a novel new whisky collection that gives each of its nine distillers total control of the production process, from the choice of malt and yeast through to fermentation, distillation and maturation. The resulting whiskies will be released twice a year, creating a series that reflects the different approaches and…
A listening room in Denmark Street, a new Mayfair restaurant, a music hotel on the way and a new rock & roll photography exhibition There’s always something happening in London, and The Luxe Review has the inside track on all the new bars, restaurants, hotels, and divine distractions that make spending time in the capital…
Introducing The Macallan Time: Space Sherry Cask, the first whisky to be finished in casks seasoned with Valdespino sherry wine, from The Macallan’s bodega in Jerez de la Frontera. The third release in The Macallan’s Time: Space collection, the liquid’s initial maturation took place on The Macallan Estate in Speyside in predominantly European oak sherry-seasoned…
The Luxe Review 
Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value.
Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name from the Japanese dining tradition of “I’ll leave it up to you”. The philosophy places trust in the expertise of the maker, in this case giving Master Distiller and Blender Kimio Yonezawa the freedom to explore new approaches to blending, maturation and flavour.
Rather than following a fixed house style, each release is built around a distinct creative idea, that draws inspiration from both Japanese heritage and international whisky traditions.
Hatozaki experimental Japanese whisky
Master blender Yonezawa says the Hatozaki Omakase Collection provides an opportunity to continue learning through experimentation. The Fifth Edition introduces sakura wood casks to the Hatozaki range, while the Sixth explores the possibilities of incorporating bourbon into the blend for the first time, before an extended mizunara finish.
“Throughout my journey in whisky I am always learning, and with new knowledge come new opportunities to experiment,” says Yonezawa. “Both of these expressions bring something new to the Hatozaki label, from Sakura wood casks to incorporating bourbon within the blend. It allows us to share our whisky-making philosophy while continuing to learn how whisky matures in our part of Japan.”
Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition tasting notes
The Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition marks the first time bourbon has been incorporated into a Hatozaki blend – and its influence is distinct. Matured in American oak to foster flavours of coconut, vanilla and toasted spice, the whisky is then finished for three years in mizunara wood.
Bottled at 42% ABV and limited to 1,884 bottles globally, the Sixth Edition is the rarer of the two new expressions, and we’ve been giving it an early taste.
It pours a rich gold colour, and the nose offers a familiar bourbon sweetness, with aromas of vanilla, raisins and toasted oak, albeit undercut by an aromatic spice.
The palate confirms a caramel sweetness, balanced by sandalwood, mizunara pepper, and subtle liquorice notes. The finish is long and dry.
Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition tasting notes
The Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition is a five-year-old blended malt finished for a year in sakura cherrywood casks, after initial maturation in new charred oak barrels.
Inspired by Japan’s celebrated cherry blossom season, the whisky aims to capture the elegance and fleeting beauty associated with sakura. Limited to just 3,480 bottles worldwide and bottled at 46% ABV, the Fifth Edition displays a deep amber colour in the glass.
The nose is said to offer toasted vanilla, dried fruits and delicate floral aromas, complemented by subtle hints of cherry blossom. On the palate expect a silky texture, balancing sweet malt with warming spice and gentle fruit notes, before finishing with lingering floral and spice complexity.
The Hatozaki Omakase Fifth Edition Sakura Cask Finish is priced at £63 (€73 / $85). The Hatozaki Omakase Sixth Edition Mizunara Cask Finish sells for £60 (€68 / $80).
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig hands over creative control for bold new distiller-led whisky series
Torabhaig hs launched The Distillers’ Series, a novel new whisky collection that gives each of its nine distillers total control of the production process, from the choice of malt and yeast through to fermentation, distillation and maturation. The resulting whiskies will be released twice a year, creating a series that reflects the different approaches and…
London lifestyle guide: Eats, Beats and Treats around the capital you won’t want to miss
A listening room in Denmark Street, a new Mayfair restaurant, a music hotel on the way and a new rock & roll photography exhibition There’s always something happening in London, and The Luxe Review has the inside track on all the new bars, restaurants, hotels, and divine distractions that make spending time in the capital…
The Macallan puts Valdespino sherry wine casks to work with milestone Time: Space 20 Year Old whisky
Introducing The Macallan Time: Space Sherry Cask, the first whisky to be finished in casks seasoned with Valdespino sherry wine, from The Macallan’s bodega in Jerez de la Frontera. The third release in The Macallan’s Time: Space collection, the liquid’s initial maturation took place on The Macallan Estate in Speyside in predominantly European oak sherry-seasoned…
Share this: