Hatozaki 12 Year Old Umeshu Cask Finish (70cl, 46%)

A 12 year old Japanese small batch whisky from the Kaikyo Distillery in Akashi, Hyogo, in a 70cl bottle at 46%. It is the first in a new series of Hatozaki releases, alongside the Blended Whisky and Pure Malt. It is a blend of single malts, each aged for at least 12 years in American oak casks, then finished for a further six months in barrels that previously held umeshu, a Japanese plum liqueur. It is non-chill filtered and has no added colouring. The whisky is well balanced, with subtle notes of sweet Japanese plum.