Description

AMAHAGAN Madoromi Barmaid (Sleepy Barmaid) Hiyoko Hinosaki Bottling Note

AMAHAGAN World Blended Madoromi Barmaid (Sleepy Barmaid) Bottle Hiyoko Hinosaki is a whiskey blended Liqueur produced and sold by Nagahama Distillery in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is released on July 12, 2022 and is the 3rd product in collaboration with the popular manga “Madoromi Barmaid” (Sleepy Barmaid).

As the third installment in this series, “Hiyoko Hinosaki” is a flair bartender who performs at the bar “STREAM.” Inspired by this character, who possesses a bright and cheerful personality but also a strong core and technical skills, opening up new paths with her out-of-the-box ideas, Nagahama Distillery has created a blended whisky liqueur.

Breaking away from existing frameworks, they have introduced a new category called “World Blended Spirits,” which blends awamori aged in oak barrels and malt whisky.

This bottle is classified as a liqueur, not a whisky. The base spirit is awamori distilled at Shinzato Shuzo, the oldest brewery in Okinawa. After being aged for 3 years in stainless steel tanks to mellow the flavor, it was further aged in American oak barrels for over 7 years. Due to the influence of barrel aging, the color of the awamori is deep, and in order to meet the tax regulations for liqueurs, a minimum amount of extract (maltose syrup) has been added. This base spirit and malt whisky from Nagahama Distillery were blended carefully to bring out the best of both, resulting in a meticulous marriage.

AMAHAGAN Madoromi Barmaid (Sleepy Barmaid) Hiyoko Hinosaki Tasting Note

Nose: A rich vanilla aroma takes center stage, accompanied by an elegant sweetness reminiscent of candy. Delicate floral notes intertwine with the vanilla, creating a harmonious and inviting bouquet. The vanilla imparts a comforting warmth, rounding out the overall profile.

Palate: The palate opens with bold oak and vanilla notes, characteristic of freshly charred barrels. The malt’s essence blends seamlessly with the subtle, soft sweetness of the awamori, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. This harmonious balance offers a symphony of tastes, starting with the initial sweetness of honey and pear, followed by a gentle complexity of floral notes. A subtle spice from the oak adds depth, while the texture remains smooth and velvety.

Finish: Leaves a pleasant warmth and a lingering sweetness. As the flavors gradually fade, the floral notes and a hint of oak continue to linger, providing a lasting impression.

Overall: The AMAHAGAN Madoromi Barmaid (Sleepy Barmaid) Hiyoko Hinosaki is a captivating whisky that captures the essence of its namesake character. Its delicate aroma, harmonious flavors, and long finish offer a truly enchanting experience.