Japanese Whisky Suggestions

[Variable]

All this brewhaha with Suntory buying Beam has made me realize that I know next to nothing about Japanese whisky. Are there any easily obtainable bottlings that can be considered good benchmarks? Not looking to spend a ton of money here, just want to get an idea of what their whisky is all about flavor-wise.

[squire]

A copy of Scotch and in Japanese fashion a very good copy, also pricey.

[squire]

I just did a quick search of some major stores around the country and didn't find much in the way of Japanese whisky. In additional to the saki and plumb wines there were a few Suntorys, some rice vodka and distilled plum spirits.

I've had Suntory whisky and Yamazaki single malt, both tasted like Scotch to me and cost a helluva lot more than a comparable Scotch.

[tanstaafl2]

I don't know if I have seen the Suntory name of late as the primary name on a bottle but Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki are all Suntory products I have seen regularly around here. Indeed they were about the only options for awhile. Except for a period of time right after the tsunami when they disappeared for awhile. Like most other whiskey they have gotten steadily more expensive over the past year or two. I could buy Yamazaki 18 for close to $100 not that long ago but now it is more like $150.

To me it is good but often more subtle in flavor overall. But I don't think we get a lot of the more unusual expressions they make in Japan. Selection is a getting better with the increasing availability of Nikka here and probably other brands not typical in Atlanta but in the bigger East and West Coast markets like Karuizawa.

Can be pricey though as Squire notes!

A Suntory Reserve blended whisky from probably 20+ years ago!

Edited January 14, 2014 by tanstaafl2

[Josh]

Yamazaki 12 is the usual gateway and is available pretty much everywhere. The Japanese single malts I've had have not excited me. They tasted like particularly dull Speysiders. I was impressed with Hibiki when I tried it though. Very good for a blend.

[Max Power]

Where's Chainwhip? He'll give you the low down...

[chrisg]

The Hakushu 12 is another good whisky. It is slightly peated but not in the vein of Ardbeg or Laphroaig. Think more like a subdued Ardmore. It is easily drinkable.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zillah]

I am a fan of the Yamazaki malts. 12 year is a good entry level but the 18 is the real treat. That is the extent of my Japanese whiskey experience.

[squire]

They are mild, I grant that, more in the style of Canadian than Scotch.

[garbanzobean]

Nikka Yoichi 15 is a favorite if mine. It compares well to Highland Park 18. Hibiki 12 is really unique and interesting for a blend, given that it is finished in plum wine casks. Yamazaki is good, but I've been a but underwhelmed by the 18.

[upStomp]

I love Nikka Coffey Single Grain. Where most Japanese whiskies lean heavily toward the Scotch side of the spectrum, the Single Grain screams sweet bourbon (95% Corn, IIRC). Pricey though - I paid about $62 for the bottle I have.

[Variable]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I'll see about picking up a Hibiki 12 soon. Plum wine cask finishing sounds nice. I don't frequent bars much, so chances to sample them down here in FL are pretty limited.

[BigRich]

I'm a bit of a fanboy on this one. I haven't had a Japanese whisky yet that I didn't really like.

[ChainWhip]

I tend to prefer Nikka over Suntory generally speaking (but to Squire's point, Japanese whiskies tend to be pricier). So far, only Nikka and Suntory are readily available but Chichibu is supposed to be making an entrance into the US market at some point. Karuizawa (K&L bottlings) was probably a one-time deal but I hope we'll get more stateside.

Here's some good resources for more information on Japanese Whisky:

http://nonjatta.blogspot.com/

http://www.whiskynotes.be/

http://whiskywall.com/

http://www.thejapanesewhiskyreview.com/

Malt Monitor Reviews:

http://www.whisky-monitor.com/index.jsp?tid=6&whiskyType=Japanese+single+malt+and+blended+whiskies

http://www.whiskybase.com is also a good place to get a view of the landscape.

Yoichi is very good to my palate and Taketsuru is Nikka's blended malt positioned to go head-to-head versus Hibiki (a blend of single malt & grain whiskies). One Nikka worth pursuing (can't get it in the US though) is Nikka "Straight from the Barrel". But really, the best way is just to go to a bar with a decent Japanese whisky selection and try them out - your own palate will best inform you which way to go.

One thing to note is that the Japanese also mix their whiskies with ice & water/sparkling water (Mizuwari: http://nonjatta.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-make-mizuwari.html) in highball glasses - when crafting their whisky expressions, this is often a consideration.

Edited January 15, 2014 by ChainWhip

[Variable]

Thanks for the links ChainWhip!

[Megawatt]

I'm a bit of a fanboy on this one. I haven't had a Japanese whisky yet that I didn't really like.

Likewise. I've had Yamazaki 12, Yoichi 10, Taketsuru 12, and Nikka Whisky From the Barrel. I loved them all.

By the way BigRich, nice BTs in your profile pic.

[ChainWhip]

Looks like Chichibu has made landfall in the USA

[AaronWF]

I passed on some Hakushu heavily peated for $150. NAS, 48%. I'd love to try it, but at $150 I feel like I'm being taken advantage of.

[bin31z]

Its hard to get deep into Japanese Whiskey in the US. Availability is too limited and too expensive when it is available. I will be visiting Taiwan and Japan next week and hopefully will taste some stuff besides Hibiki, Yamazaki, Yoichi or Miyagiko and at cheap prices.

[ChainWhip]

Taketsuru prices are ridiculously cheap at Narita right now