Hatozaki unveils Triple Cask Reserve with an Umeshu finish

Friday, 31 October 2025 at 07:04

Hatozaki Triple Cask - Lifestyle - Global - 9 (1)

Love Japanese whisky? Then here’s good news. The brand Hatozaki has added a new expression to its core range: Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve.

This release stands out for its rare finish in Umeshu plum liqueur casks. Maybe you haven’t come across this before. It’s uncommon in the whisky world, even though it’s deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.

A different kind of Hatozaki whisky

Triple Cask Reserve is a blend of carefully selected malt whiskies. It first matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, followed by a six-month finish in Umeshu casks. Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made by steeping local green plums in alcohol.

This maturation brings a subtle layer of citrus, spiced tea, and a gentle plum softness, giving the whisky a profile that sets it apart from other Hatozaki bottlings.

How does it taste?

Tasting notes for Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve:

Nose: Oak with black tea and orange, followed by dried apricot and a hint of vanilla merging with lightly toasted, sweet barley notes.
Palate: Soft oak spice, layered with hints of dried peel and the signature notes of Umeshu. Mid-palate it stays light in character, with greater emphasis on wood and a subtle presence of the spirit itself.
Finish: Round, refined, and gently sweet.

A softly sweet whisky from Japan

Kimio Yonezawa, the brand’s Master Distiller, is particularly pleased with the choice of Umeshu casks:

'Finishing a whisky in Umeshu casks is rare in the whisky world, and I was eager to see how the Japanese plum liqueur’s flavours would transform the blend,”' notes Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa. 'The umeshu influence adds an extra layer of depth and gentle sweetness that truly sets Triple Cask Reserve apart from more traditional whiskies.'

- Kimio Yonezawa

Kimio Yonezawa’s vision

Yonezawa is a fourth-generation distiller working out of the Kaikyō Distillery in Japan. There, he blends traditional Japanese techniques with international influences—an approach he describes as creating a 'world whisky.'

Where can you buy the new Hatozaki whisky?

Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve (46% ABV, 750 ml) carries an RRP of £58 / $75 and joins the existing lineup alongside Hatozaki Finest Whisky and Small Batch Whisky.

As with all Hatozaki whiskies: no added color and non-chill filtered.

FAQ

Where is Hatozaki Whisky made?
Hatozaki is produced at the Kaikyō Distillery in Akashi, Japan.

What makes Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve special?
The whisky is uniquely finished in Umeshu plum liqueur casks, something rarely seen in the whisky world.