“Whisky” the word itself is a ring to our ears, whether you drink whisky or not,; there is something about it that it makes everyone to at least have a taste of it and feel it. It makes to know more about it. Whisky is one of the most chosen liquor categories around the world. And no wonder, every year when many of the whisky brands come out for an auction, the collectors of whiskeys come out with high bids, and passion to claim the particular one to themselves. It’s a possession that no one wants to lose. Recently in the month of July and August of 2018 have seen some of the highest bid and auctions in the history of Whisky around the world.
It is all about the region that it comes from, from where it has been distilled, in which barrel it has been matured and finally with what ingredients it has been prepared? When we get a strong woody nose to the whisky, we usually think of it as coming from Kentucky or Tennessee. But when it’s taste refine, it is from Scotland and with Canada Whisky it is like to have something that is easy to take.
But let’s not forget about one more regional whisky, i.e. Japanese Whisky. Japan has always known for its liquor varieties, especially with the rice brew sake, wine and then there is traditional Shocho, awamori. But when it comes to Japanese Whisky, it is much more than just a category of the particular liquor type.
Japanese whisky is a style of whisky developed and produced in Japan. Whisky production in Japan began around 1870, but the first commercial production was in 1924 upon the opening of the country’s first distillery, Yamazaki. Broadly speaking the style of Japanese whisky is more similar to that of Scotch whisky than other major styles of whisky.
After Years, of innovation, tweaking, and perfecting, Japanese Whisky is said to be in a good place at the moment. Its distilleries have reached an accomplished status among and around all the world distilleries. Japanese whisky is making a play for dominance. Many of the Japanese Whisky is as good as the Scotch single malt especially as they also come in a low priced tag. But it is quite difficult to make anyone understand, what really is Japanese Whisky? As it doesn’t classification or regulation like scotch and bourbon do for that matter.
Japanese whisky is heavily influenced by Scotch, as the original distiller, Masataka Taketsuru, studied the craft in Scotland, and the malt for Japanese whiskies are often brought in from Scotland. It maintains similar traits, particularly the preference to blend varieties for singular tastes, though it’s often lighter, with subtler tones.
When you ask about Japanese whiskeys, two names come front which is, Suntory and Nikki. And this two brand is closely linked with two influential figures of Japanese Whisky who are, Shinjiro Torii and Masataka Taketsuru.
It was Shinjiro Torii, who first built the infamous Whisky distillery of Yamazaki, where he wanted to produce whiskies that is for the Japanese people. It was also him to hire Masataka Taketsuru, the original distiller of Japanese Whisky history. When they got separated, Torii’s Kotobukiya named as Suntory while Taketsuru started his own whisky brand named as Dainipponkaju, now known as Nikki. And since then it has been making a name for itself around the world, especially among the whisky drinkers.
Winning in the world whisky award in the category of best Japanese single malt by Hakushu 25 years old for another year again in 2018 has just proved that is it giving tough competition to the Scottish counterparts who are known for their distinctive taste and aroma. But not all of it, recently a rare bottle of 50 years old Yamazaki whisky has been sold out for ₹ 2 crores ( HK$2,695,000 / US$343,318) in an auction of Hong Kong, breaking the record of the most expensive bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold. Suntory’s Yamazaki distillery – Japan’s first and oldest – released the first edition Yamazaki in 2005 with just 50 bottles. The rare whisky was matured in casks made from mizunara (Japanese oak), giving it its deep amber colour. Nosing and tasting notes given by Suntory at the time of release for the “richly sweet and mature” expression included “a hint of the sweet-sour aroma of dried fruit set against a striking perfume that suggests the aromatic eaglewood tree”, “a full-bodied, yet mellow taste – smooth and strong, like silk” and “a lingering aftertaste, a slightly smoky fragrance, and mild woodiness”.
No, you don’t have to be scared to burn a hole in your pocket to possess one of these amazing Japanese Whisky, in order to enjoy drinking them. Here is a list of Japanese Whiskies that are quite affordable.
Akashi White Oak Single Malt
The White Oak Distillery’s non-age-statement single malts are young (usually between three and five years) and punchy. There is lots of oak, but this single malt does settle down with some time in the glass.
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Not “coffee” as in the drink, but “Coffey” as in Aeneas Coffey, the inventor who created the traditional two-column Coffey still to produce spirit. Nikka is in possession of a Coffey still it imported from Scotland in the early 1960s and uses it to distill spirit with tremendous depth and flavor. There are two releases, Coffey Grain made from grain whisky, and Coffey malt made from malt spirit—something that isn’t traditionally done in Coffey stills. Both releases are excellent and affordable so you cannot go wrong with either.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
The Hibiki blends are excellent representations of both the flavors and ideas conveyed in Japanese whisky. Good news, because Japanese Harmony, the entry-level release, is actually better than some of the Hibiki releases with age statements (though, it cannot top the incredible 17-year-old or the excellent 30-year-old). It’s a wonderfully soft whisky with honeyed wood aromas and silky, textured mouthfeel.
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Blended Whisky
Ichiro is whisky maker Ichiro Akuto, and his Chichibu Distillery makes some of the most desirable whisky in the world. Limited bottlings can fetch high prices—that is, if you’re even able to buy them. Malt & Grain is the entry-level release. It’s a blend made from Chichibu’s malt spirit and imported grain spirit. Since the distillery doesn’t have massive continuous stills to produce grain spirit and since other large Japanese whisky makers who do keep all their grain spirit for in-house blends, it has no choice but to import. Malt & Grain is a fine introduction to Chichibu’s whiskies and shows off Ichiro’s blending talents.
Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries
Another excellent release from Ichiro Akuto, with malt spirit from his Chichibu Distillery as well as malt spirit from the Hanyu Distillery, which his family used to own. After the Hanyu Distillery was sold, the new owner wasn’t interested in whisky production, and Ichiro, who hadn’t yet found his footing with Chichibu, saved the casks of Hanyu whisky. This is both the past and the future of Japanese whisky. I’ve seen the smaller 200ml at local supermarkets here in Osaka, and a large department store recently got in a shipment of the bigger 700ml bottles.
Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku
Another Japanese supermarket whisky; another excellent, affordable buy. It’s bottled at 50 percent alcohol so most won’t have it neat. It opens up with some good water, but also makes a refreshing high-ball drink as the weather heats up. What makes Sanroku interesting among Japanese whiskeys is that aromas and flavors are like you’d find in bourbon. But unlike bourbon, this is made from melted Mount Fuji snow that takes over 50 years to filter through sediment left by volcanic eruptions to the water source Kirin uses for whisky.
Mars Whisky Twin Alps Blended Whisky
Mars Whisky says it is moving to single malt releases only, and this blend seems like a stop gap before more aged malt whisky hits shops. Still, Twin Alps is way better than it should be. It’s inexpensive in Japan (under $20), approachable and delicious, with oak aromas and soft fruit flavors and a hint of spice.
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel
This is very, very good. Sweet berry aromas, old books, and burnt wood. The delivery is crisp and clear. It’s bottled at a rather high percentage (51.4%), so you’ll probably want to bring it down with good water. It also means that you’re getting more bang for your buck, making this another excellent deal.
Taketsuru Pure Malt (No Age Statement)
While Nikka might be running short on whiskies with age statements, it’s making up for that with a strong line-up of affordable and terrific no-age-statement releases. Case in point: Taketsuru Pure Malt. Taketsuru is one of the founders of Japanese whisky, bringing back techniques from Scotland, helping to set up the Yamazaki Distillery, and then striking out on his own to found Nikka. Here is an exceedingly balanced blend of malt spirit from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo Distilleries with notes of bonfire smoke, berries, and spice.
The Yamazaki Single Malt 12 Years Old
First released in 1984, the Yamazaki 12-year is a classic Japanese single malt. While not the first Japanese single malt, it is one of the most iconic. It’s smooth with honeyed oak notes, wet grassy aromas and gentle smoke for a spicy finish.
Yoichi Single Malt (No Age Statement)
Year-by-year, this single malt release gets better and better. The Yoichi Distillery is the only place in the world that still fires its pot stills by coal. The temperature fluctuations give added personality to this robust spirit, which is then slowly aged in Yoichi’s warehouses. A dignified and refined Japanese whisky.
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