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.
There are several companies producing whisky in Japan, but the two best-known and most widely available are Suntory and Nikka. Both of these produce blended as well as single malt whiskies and blended malt whiskies, with their main blended whiskies being Suntory kakubin (角瓶, square bottle), and Black Nikka Clear. There are also a large number of special bottlings and limited editions
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Hibiki Harmony Master’s Select (70cl, 43%)
Hibiki Master’s Select is a revelation. Whether you’re accustomed to Japanese blended whiskies or not, this sweet and well-balanced expression is sure to give you a jolt, its fruity sherry notes and juicy raisins delighting the palate.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old (70cl, 43%)
Yamazaki 12 year Old is a pioneering malt in Japan, for which Suntory deserve great credit. In its early days, it was rounded and delicate…now it is more intense, confident and elegant.
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt 70cl, 45%
Nikka’s entry-level whisky from Miyagikyo distillery. Light in body, yet full of flavour, this is an excellent introduction to Japanese whisky. Elegantly fruity with sherry-cask character.
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel (50cl, 51.4%)
Nikka From the Barrel award-winning whisky is big, bold and spicy, with notes of citrus and malted honey, too.
Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve (70cl, 43%)
From the Hakushu distillery in the foothills of Mount Kaikomagatake comes their Distiller’s Reserve single malt whisky, a no-age-statement expression, that captures the smoky, herbaceous characteristics of their whiskies. Both lightly-peated and heavily-peated malts were used for this complex and deeply enjoyable whisky. One of two Spring 2014 release from Suntory.
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (70cl, 45%)
Using the two Coffey stills at the Miyagikyo distillery, which were imported from Scotland to Japan in 1963, Nikka have produced a number of single cask single grain whiskies from time to time over the years. This, however, is their larger release of wonderfully exotic single grain whisky. Now in a 70cl bottle!
Akashi Blue Label Blended Whisky (70cl, 40%)
Akashi whisky is the only whisky in the world that is made by a Toji (grand-master in the art of sake making) by implementing sake-making methodologies into the whisky making process. The distil pot used is smaller than those used by both Scottish and other Japanese distilleries, which in turn, decreases the levels of fusel alcohol. As a result, Akashi whisky does not require as long of an ageing process, while its new make is smooth and delicate.
Akashi blue is a blended whisky reserved in Japanese Shochu cask (American Oak) around 2 years, aged in bourbon cask before finishing in sherry casks for 1 years.
Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai Limited Edition Japanese Whisky (75cl, 43%)
The Barrel square glass bottle and minimalist label comes the Nikka Whisky Gold & Gold a.k.a ‘G & G’ Samurai blended whisky in this exceptionally crafted armour.
Gold and Gold Samurai, a superb blend from Nikka, originally only available in the Japanese duty free market.
Comes complete with a unique samurai bust to adorne the bottle.
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (2020 Release) (70cl, 43%)
A new edition of Nikka’s Taketsuru Pure Malt, released in 2020! It features a new recipe, showing off the excellent balance of the Japanese whisky, alongside wafts of smoke and waves of creamy malt. The name is a reference to Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, who established Nikka all the way back in 1934!
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (70cl, 43%)
A non-age-statement expression of Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt whisky, named after the company’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru. It features plenty of whisky from the Miyagikyo distillery, as well as percentage of malt matured in sherry casks to give it a rich, spiced nose.
Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky (70cl, 45%)
Previously only released as part of single casks, Nikka decided to add their Coffey Malt to their core range in 2014. Distilled in a Coffey still normally used for grain whisky production, the malt is delightfully fruity and spicy.
Hibiki 12 Year Old 70cl, 43%
A stunning 12 year-old blend from Hibiki, some of the whisky has been part-matured in plum liqueur casks. Lovely malt from Hakushu and Yamazaki, plus some aged grain from Chita, this terrific Japanese blend picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010.
The 12 year old Hibiki was introduced to the range in 2009, but was discontinued in favour of a new non-age statement Japanese Harmony as the entry level product in 2015.
Cask type Plum Liqueur Barrels
Suntory Toki (70cl, 43%)
A blended whisky from Suntory’s three distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Toki has a different composition to another Suntory blend, Hibiki, as its main components are Hakashu single malt and Chita grain whisky. It should work really well in a highball.
Fun fact: ‘Toki’ means ‘time’ in Japanese.
Nikka Tailored (70cl, 43%)
Introduced to replace the beloved Nikka 12 Year Old, Tailored is a blend of malt whisky from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries as well as its Coffey Still grain. The whisky balances soft fruity notes with bitter notes of dark chocolate and citrus zest.
Akashi Toji Blended Whisky (70cl, 40%)
Akashi whisky is the only whisky in the world that is made by a Toji (grand-master in the art of sake making) by implementing sake-making methodologies into the whisky making process. The distil pot used is smaller than those used by both Scottish and other Japanese distilleries, which in turn, decreases the levels of fusel alcohol. As a result, Akashi whisky does not require as long of an ageing process, while its core malt (cask strength) is smooth and delicate.
Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky (50cl, 40%)
A Japanese blended whisky that has been the subject of some controversy. The bottling for the home market in Japan is made with malt whisky and molasses spirit, which would not be classed as ‘whisky’ in the EU. This export version, however, is made from malt and grain whiskies.
Akashi Red Blended Whisky (50cl, 40%)
Akashi Red is made at the Eigashima (aka White Oak) distillery, which was founded in 1888. Produced by Akashi, this is a light and fruity whisky with notes of peach, almond and grape.