Marvel’s Hit-Monkey and a Lineup of Japanese Whiskies

Marvel’s latest TV show, ‘Hit-Monkey,’ is a weird, memorable, rich work of art — kind of like this lineup of fine Japanese whiskies worth pairing with it. 

The Show: Crime-Drama Action, with a Supernatural Twist / 2021 / Hulu

The Beverages: Some of the best Japanese Whiskies you can get in the U.S.

*Mild Spoilers*

I loved the first season of Hit-Monkey.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t expecting much from the newest Marvel TV show. Being both animated and not in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hit-Monkey came with a considerably smaller budget than Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and WandaVision. The closest thing to it was M.O.D.O.K., a show I found too much “been there, done that.” I also wasn’t too familiar with the Hit-Monkey comic book character. All I knew was that it was the story of a Japanese macaque who goes around Tokyo fighting crime. You know — the exact kind of thing that’s either going to suck or be fairly amusing for at least a few episodes.

But man, Hit-Monkey ROCKS. My boyfriend and I binged it all straight though.

Once upon a time, any narrative with a monkey would have been certain comedic fodder. But not this one. There are some darkly funny moments for sure, but this tale is really a stark looks at how every action comes with consequences. There are also multiple genuinely surprising twists, which is definitely commendable in today’s over-saturated TV show sphere. 

The animation’s gorgeous too. The look is very Archer-meets-anime (think Cowboy Bebop or Akira), and it excels most during the fight scenes. At risk of making too many comparisons, this is the John Wick of animated violence.

Sure, a couple other reviewers feel differently, but that’s to be expected when you have something that’s an abrupt left turn from the rest of Marvel TV and movie land. If you’re like me and also are going into the show relatively blind, that might be the best. If you’d like a preview though, here’s the official Hit-Monkey trailer:

Pretty crazy stuff, amirite? But as weird as it is, it works. I hesitate to call it a superhero show, but it is from Marvel, and Hit-Monkey is at least an anti-hero. There’s a pretty notable supervillain who emerges later on too.

While you could pair your viewing with a nice Japanese Lager, it’s the whisky drinking that runs aplenty among the show’s characters. Whether you’re a human, monkey or ghost demon, there’s a rundown of some of the best Japanese whiskies you can find in the U.S. below. But first…

What is Japanese Whisky Anyway?

Obviously, Japanese whisky comes from Japan. But in the liquor world, of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. While the country’s whisky production got its start back in the 1800s, it’s only been in recent decades that the liquor’s distinctive style has reached popularity on the global stage.

Unique from American whiskey styles, Japanese whisky is most similar to Scotch in its crafting. That’s because Masataka Taketsuru — commonly referred to as the father of Japanese whisky — studied Scotch whisky and purposely tried to replicate it. His process, which is still used today, involves heavy use of malted barley and double distilling before aging in wood barrels. The result is drier, smokier flavor, varied by blends from different distilleries and adjuncts.

Now for your whisky pairings with Hit-Monkey.

Nikka Coffey Grain

Nikka is the company founded by Taketsuru himself. Tragically, however, Nikka announced last year that they would be discontinuing their longtime Taketsuru pure malt whiskies. But good news! Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky is still very much alive, and it’s worth a taste.

Named after the column or “coffey” still used in the distilling process, this one calls for 100% malted barley and maturation in old casks. The result is rich malty notes of nougat and a velvety texture.

Akashi White Oak

Japan’s White Oak distillery has been in operation since the late 1800s or early 1900s (depending which source you’re reading), but not always in whisky. Known for its sake, White Oak released its first single malt whisky in 2007. Akashi has since made a name for itself internationally for its peatier profile and aromas of vanilla and barrel spices. Some say there’s a little marshmallow in there too, which I personally didn’t taste, but hey, you might!

Kikori Rice Whisky

Now for a pivot. As its name suggests, Kikori Rice Whisky is made from rice rather than malted barley. According to Kikori, the specific rice they use has been cultivated for the past 2000+ years in southern Japan. The single malt whisky is then aged for over three years in a combination of American oak, French oak, and sherry casks.

The result is truly distinctive in the Japanese whisky realm. Breathe deeply upfront for fragrant floral aromas, leading to ribbons of woody vanilla and surprising hints of melon on the tongue. Just the kind of pleasant departure for when Hit-Monkey really dives into the weird outskirts of Marvel comics.

Hibiki Harmony

During my bartending days, Hibiki Harmony was both the first Japanese whisky I ever served and tasted. A blend of 12 different grain and malt whiskies from Japanese distilleries, Hibiki Harmony is an adventure of nuanced flavor. Expect notes of almond, dried fruit and caramel.

The Hibiki whisky brand is a solid choice in general if you can’t get the Harmony. Try the Hibiki 17 year if you have the chance. Stuff is smoooooth, but increasingly difficult to find.

Suntory Toki

Speaking of Hibiki, they’re owned by the Suntory brand, which encompasses an even wider amount of whiskies. Of these is Suntory Toki, a blend of carefully selected whiskies from three of the most acclaimed distilleries in the country (Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita). This one is about as light and silky as Japanese whiskies come, and if you let it linger on the tongue, you’ll note unique flavors of green apple, citrus and honey. The vanilla-ginger finish is also a standout.

Just remember — the Hit-Monkey characters may be drinking quite frequently onscreen, but if you’re going for all of these whiskies you’ll want to space them out over the season. There’s a lot to savor both in the liquor and the show.