This Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky is one of those Frankenstein whiskies that employs Japanese malt whisky and grain whisky from somewhere else. Likely Scotland or Canada, but who knows. They marry these whiskies together in Japanese pine barrels, which is an interesting, and leaky, choice and then cut the whisky to proof using desalinated ocean water.
The water is from the coast of Japan, but if messages in bottles, mid-ocean ship catastrophes and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have taught us anything it’s that water doesn’t stay in one place. So take it as just being desalinated, and purified, ocean water. I know it sounds like the whisky curmudgeon is already coming out, but I’m honestly happy to see something like this on the market.
There is some transparency to its origin, more than many, and they’re doing something to really differentiate them in the market. This isn’t taking a $30 whisky, putting it in a fancy bottle and charging $200 for it. It’s a new product with unique features to it. So it has that going for it.
Now, let’s get to drinkin’!
Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Blended Whisky (world)
Region: Japan
Distiller: Undisclosed
Blend: Japanese Malt Whisky + Imported Grain Whisky
Cask: Various (ex-Bourbon, Japanese Pine, others)
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky Price: $45*
Related Whiskey
Hibiki Harmony
Kamiki Maltage Cedar Finished Whisky
Rampur Double Cask
Alberta Dark Batch Rye
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky Tasting Notes
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Pine, honey, fruit, graham, banana’s foster, marshmallow, and a light cakey note.
The pine is super present… but not in a bad way. It’s like walking out on my porch (I live in a cabin on a mountain).
PALATE
Banana taffy, pine, vanilla, graham, wax, and a grainy sweetness with a touch of cake.
Ok, not what I was expecting. The palate is quite a bit different than the aroma, but not terrible.
FINISH
Medium -> Herbal pine, caramel, graham, grainy sweetness, and saline.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a soft light feel.
Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky – Overall Thoughts and Score
Hmmmmm… it’s interesting. It tastes like a standard, decent, blended whisky with an added pine note. It’s not as weird as I thought it would be, in fact, if it weren’t for the pine note it would probably be a rather basic blended whisky. The pine is what actually makes it interesting.
It gives the whisky an herbal warmth and pulls it up just above average; gives it something unique and adds a bit more depth. While working on the review I found myself moving from neutral to actually enjoying it as I sipped and got to know the Umiki “Ocean Fused” Whisky. I understand this won’t be for everyone, but if you want to try something a bit different here ya go.
SCORE: 3/5 (above average, worth checking out ~ B- | 80-82)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this Blended Whisky review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Umiki "Ocean Fused" Whisky Review $45
Overall
3- Nose (3)
- Palate (3)
- Finish (3)
- BBF (3)
