Hatozaki Japanese Whisky & Sake Tasting with Women Who Whiskey Chicago

Miho Imada is the Toji (Master Brewer) and President of Fukucho, and is among one of the only female brewers in Japan. If that's not enough, the BBC named her one of the 100 Most Influential Women of 2020!

Why whisky and sake? Well, to talk about Hatozaki whisky, we have to start with Akashi sake. The Akashi Sake Brewery started making shochu in 1917. A century later, they opened Kaikyō Distillery to make gin and whisky. Located along the coast of the Seto inland sea in Japan, Kaikyō Distillery ages whisky in American oak, Japanese mizunara oak, and sakura cherry wood, benefiting from the dry, temperate winters and hot, humid summers -- perfect for aging spirits!

After starting with a welcome cocktail, we'll taste these five spirits:

• Akashi-Tai Shiraume Ginjo Umeshu Liqueur - Umeshu is a liqueur made from plums macerated in Ginjo sake for 6 months and aged in enamel tanks for 2 years, with an ABV of 14%. It has notes of confit cherries and plums followed by sweetness, plums, and almond.
• Akashi-Tai Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Sake - This sake is made using traditional sake brewing techniques combined with a secondary bottle fermentation that naturally adds delicate effervescence. It has notes of lemon, peach, and banana, with refreshing citrus notes and a balanced finish.
• Hatozaki Finest Whisky - Aged for up to 12 years and created through a two-stage blending process, this whisky has a delicate roundness with a rich backbone of malt whisky, bottled at 40% ABV. Unpeated, delicate, and floral, it offers a balanced feel to the mouth, with an aromatic palate and floral notes.
• Hatozaki Small Batch Whisky - This whisky is a blend of 5-6 year old single malt aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and Japanese Mizunara casks, produced in small batches of less than 20 casks, and bottled at 46% ABV. Round, generous, and unpeated, the sweet taste of malted cereals and dried fruit are uplifted by a light, smoky undertone and an aromatic honey finish on the palate.
• Hatozaki Triple Cask Reserve Whisky - Made from hand-selected malt whiskies, this blended whisky is aged first in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before finishing for an additional six months in Umeshu plum liqueur barrels. It has complex flavors of black tea, subtle vanilla dried apricot, and fragrant oak spice, rounded off with a smooth, long finish.

Meanwhile we'll munch on bites from Sushi-san!

It will be a delicious evening you won't want to miss! As always, tickets are limited and likely to sell out, so grab yours quick!


Ladies and non-binary only, please. Tickets required to attend. Must be 21 or older. Please drink responsibly.