When you hear that Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is releasing his own whiskey, you might assume it would be a Japanese whisky… but you would be wrong. Rogue Ales & Spirits and Chef Morimoto have partnered again to release of a limited-edition Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey.
This limited-edition whiskey started at the Rogue brewery in Newport, Oregon in 2016 as Morimoto Imperial Pilsner and Morimoto Black Obi Ale. After fermentation, the wash was transferred from the Rogue brewery to the distillery to be distilled and barreled in American Oak barrels. The barrels rested in Rogue’s Ocean Aging Room where they absorbed the Pacific Ocean air for over two years before being transferred for finishing in Oregon Oak. The Oregon Oak barrels were built by hand at Rogue’s cooperage, Rolling Thunder Barrel Works, and previously aged Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout. A year and a half later, the barrels were blended and smithed to create this American Single Malt Whiskey. To complete this process, Chef Morimoto designed the label himself.
“It has been an honor to work with Chef Morimoto for nearly 20 years to make unique and interesting beers and spirits,” says Dharma Tamm, Rogue President. “This new single malt whiskey is no exception – the combination of Morimoto Signature Imperial Pilsner and Black Obi, Rolling Thunder barrels and distiller selected proof make this something truly special. It has been a labor of love that we’ve spent years making.”
“My relationship with Rogue Ales & Spirits goes back nearly two decades and is the longest partnership of my career,” said Chef Morimoto. “The Morimoto-branded beers have been guest favorites in my restaurants around the world, and I’m very excited to introduce this very special single malt whiskey to them this year.”
Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey is 85 proof and will be available for sale at Morimoto restaurants, Rogue pubs and retailers nationally.
