City Hunter whisky celebrates the series 40th anniversary

Two limited-edition Scotch whiskies will be released to celebrate the the 40th anniversary of the manga series “City Hunter” created by Tsukasa Hojo.

“City Hunter” which debuted in 1985, features Ryo Saeba, a highly skilled “sweeper” who undertakes various assignments.

Ryo’s character is defined by his dual nature: a womanizing “mokkori man” in his personal life, and a disciplined professional when on the job.

He is partnered with Kaori Makimura, who initially joined him after the death of her brother and Ryo’s former partner, Hideyuki Makimura. Kaori acts as a liaison and support, and is known for her use of a comically oversized 100-ton hammer to curb Ryo’s more excessive behaviors.

The two commemorative whiskies are:

“Ryo Saeba” Label / Caol Ila 2008

This whisky, distilled at the Caol Ila distillery, features a 2008 vintage.

It is characterized by a refined smokiness, with a blend of sherry cask and peat aromas.

The whisky offers a balanced profile with a sweet undertone and a refreshing finish.

The whisky’s flavor is intended to reflect Ryo Saeba’s multifaceted personality, encompassing his toughness, danger, wildness, and occasional gentleness.

It has been aged 15 years and a total of 247 bottles have been produced.

Price: 24,750 yen (approx. $166.74 USD / £128.86 GBP)
Volume: 700ml
Alcohol content: 53.1%

“Ryo Saeba & Kaori Makimura” Label / Tomatin 2008

This whisky, distilled at the Tomatin distillery, also features a 2008 vintage.

It presents a fresh, sweet, and warm aroma, with a fruity, spicy, and complex taste.

The flavor profile of this whiskey aims to convey an elegant character.

It has been aged 15 years and a total of 315 bottles have been produced.

Price: 23,100 yen (approx. $155.68 USD / £120.31 GBP)
Volume: 700ml
Alcohol content: 51.8%

Both whiskys are single malt Scotch whiskies, originating from distilleries in Scotland.

Sales will be conducted through a lottery system:

Lottery reservation period: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12:00 to Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 23:59.
Sales are limited to lottery winners.

The sales lottery can be entered via the Whisky Mew website.

The concept of pairing manga with whisky was conceived by Hideo Yamaoka, a manga editor at Shogakukan who is also a well known whisky critic, journalist, and translator.

Yamaoka’s initiative resulted in the creation of Whisky Mew, a website focussed on selling whiskey inspired by manga.

Since 2017, Hideo Yamaoka and Whisky Mew have been selecting whiskies that complement various forms of media, including manga, anime, and art, and presenting them with themed labels.

Source: PR Times