55-YEAR OLD YAMAZAKI WHISKY TASTING

The past couple of months have been exhilarating for really old whiskys. Macallan announced their 71-year old and Glenlivet an 80-year old (right). Now comes a Yamazaki 55-year old, a bottle which was found and auctioned for $795,000. So Suntory decided to create a new 55-year old by blending three spirits from the 1960's.

Gold today costs $1807/ounce. That Yamazaki was worth $31,000 per ounce. This is getting absurd, but a 5-carat diamond, which weighs one gram, costs between $36,000 and $395,000. This calculates into a range of $1272 to $14000/ounce. So one ounce of that Yamazaki was more than double the cost of an equal weight of that more expensive diamond.

If you have nothing to do tonight, why not taste that new composite? Watch a Hawaii News Now video on where and how to do this in Honolulu. Bar Maze can be found in The Collection, a Kakaako condo across the street from SALT, and will provide the ultimate converse to Guy Hagi's cheap eats. For only $25,000 you can taste an ounce of 55 year old Yamazaki. 25 customers will thus pay $625,000 for a $60,000 bottle. This tasting will include a $125 omakase meal and other vintages of Yamazakis. Also, $5000/person will go to the Hawaii Community Foundation and Aloha United Way.

To begin, only 100 bottles were filled, blending three Yamazakis from 1960, 1961 and 1964. Cost? As I noted above, $60,000 each. A crystal bottle in mizunara wood coated in Suruga lacquer, washi paper and a Kyo-kumihimo cord from Kyoto, where Yamazaki is based.

The very first official tasting occurred last month in New York City. This elixir was said to burst with aromas of mango and sandalwood, giving way to wet pine. This only one dram (one-eighth of an ounce) potion was poured into a burgundy wine glass, for you nosing is most of the fun in this sort of experience. The initial actual taste is said to be a shock, for the rum-like sweetness, transitions to a mildly bitter nuttiness with hints of smoked wood. The sip dances with a standing ovation, like any statement whiskey. Note that whisky can be spelled either way, depending on the country.

Before you actually head for Bar Maze at 604 Ala Moana Boulevard, best to call. I'd indicate their phone number, but there is something mysterious about this bar restaurant, for I can't seem to find it. Try RESY.

Finally, when is trick or treating in 2021? Not tonight. Always when night falls on October 31, which occurs on Sunday this year. So to prepare you for tomorrow, here is a costume you can consider for your dog:

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