Japanese owned bourbon expressions not available in US

[Oboe Cadobro]

I'm pretty sure that there are a number of bottlings of Japanese-owned brands like Four Roses that are not available in the US. A friend of mine in Tokyo says that this is not true, and I'd like to provide him some examples...

I remember that in my lurking, I read a few threads that specified these bottlings; however, I tried doing some searches but was unable to find those threads...can you point me to any of these sources?

What about MM? I didn't recall whether Japanese own it, but I thought that some expressions are sold only in Japan.

[squire]

Makers had a Japanese version that was 94 proof and wore a black label. A couple of older Evan Williams expressions from 15 to 23 years of age, were sold in Japan. Several Blantons are export only (search Blanton) and there are some others that don't immediately spring to mind. I'm not counting Yellow Rose of Texas (cool label) or a few others like (Pennypacker?) that are essentially rebranded standard Heaven Hill stuff.

[fishnbowljoe]

A MM Black Wax at 95 proof was one from MM that was only sold in Japan, although I think a quite a few of these bottles may have managed to evade export, and were sold here in the states. A Japanese company will soon own MM. Blanton's is also owned by a Japanese company IIRC, and there are a number of Blanton's expressions that are for export only.

[camduncan]

Four Roses has one or two. Platinum and something else from memory.

[Oboe Cadobro]

Makers had a Japanese version that was 94 proof and wore a black label. A couple of older Evan Williams expressions from 15 to 23 years of age, were sold in Japan.

[squire]

I thought Four Roses Premium Select was different from Platinum but I've never owned either so I'm guessing.

[Flyfish]

Given the well established market for super-premium bourbons in Japan, what are the chances that Suntory will be looking for Beam to compete in that niche?

[wadewood]

I think Wild Turkey has a 13 year old bottle for sale in Japan.

[tylermke]

I think Wild Turkey has a 13 year old bottle for sale in Japan.

Are you referring to the Freedom bottle or something else?

[wadewood]

Are you referring to the Freedom bottle or something else?

Not Freedom (which was Duty Free only) - here is a picture on this site of the WT 13.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/kawachi/item/super107/ -

[tylermke]

Not Freedom (which was Duty Free only) - here is a picture on this site of the WT 13.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/kawachi/item/super107/ -

I didn't know that one was around. Thanks for the info!

[squire]

Given the well established market for super-premium bourbons in Japan, what are the chances that Suntory will be looking for Beam to compete in that niche?

Considering the incredible volume of Beam whisky currently aging I'm sure they can come up with something.

[black mamba]

That 13 year looks right up my alley-- bring it home, Suntory!

[Brisko]

I'm confused. If we're talking about Japanese-owned then that pretty much limits us to Age International and 4R, at the moment. So, the according to their respective websites, the three Blanton's bottlings (Straight from the Barrel, Gold, and Green) and two 4Rs (Platinum and the 80 proof "Fine Old"). The Four Roses website doesn't list the 86 proof export version of the single barrel so perhaps it no longer exists.

If we're talking about bourbons that are available in Japan but not in the US, there are a few more, but that's a different conversation.

[StraightBoston]

I'm confused. If we're talking about Japanese-owned then that pretty much limits us to Age International and 4R, at the moment. So, the according to their respective websites, the three Blanton's bottlings (Straight from the Barrel, Gold, and Green) and two 4Rs (Platinum and the 80 proof "Fine Old"). The Four Roses website doesn't list the 86 proof export version of the single barrel so perhaps it no longer exists.

If we're talking about bourbons that are available in Japan but not in the US, there are a few more, but that's a different conversation.

Exactly so (and I agree that is the complete list, but I'll be in Tokyo next week to check!)

Extending to export-only -- not necessarily Japan-only -- you pick up things like the WT13, Early Times Brown Label (the yellow label became 354) and older versions of Evan Williams (12yo and 23yo -- I think the 15yo maroon label is out-of-print like the MM Black Wax). There are also export-only brands like I.W. Harper; I think Yellow Rose of Texas is export-only but in any case HH at various ages and proofs.

Add NDPs and you get the Old St. Nicks and Old Man Winters, but I think the contents compare with various Willetts available in the US.

[deathevocation]

My wife is Japanese and we travel there as much as we can. Only ever bought Japanese whisky on trips. That'll change next trip.