The Whisky Wall (Beta) Whisky Forum

So what is the "most Japanese" whisky that a newbie to the region can start with to get acquainted with the unique style? The old comments on this thread talk about "safe and boring" choices, stuff that's "Speyside-ish," and generally bottles that sound perfectly tasty but not especially Japanese. If I'm going to stray from my usual Islays and Campbeltowns for the exotic (to me) world of Japanese malts, I want something that screams JAPAN!!! I don't just want a quality malt that HAPPENS to come from Japan. A while back, John Hansel's blog (http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2013/01/25/whisky-advocates-19th-annual-award-japanese-whisky-of-the-year/) described the Yamazaki Mizunara wood as smelling of temples. (Yes, temples!) I think that's what I want! That bottle is hard to find and pretty expensive, though. What's an affordable substitute that's readily available in the US? As a comparison, if someone asked me for a bottle that screams "SCOTLAND!!!" I would suggest something like Laphroaig Cask Strength. Thanks all. Ol' Jas

@rigmorole, Which city are you based in? Did that store have any more in stock?

A lovely day spent exploring Glenglassaugh, trying 4 whiskies that are 35 years or older and finding a couple of hidden gems in the countryside thanks to our guide! http://www.squidgyashwhiskyfiend.blogspot.com.au/

@mrgargus Hahah thank you for the compliment my friend, I'm honored that you think that highly of me :) I personally think that I'm just a huge whisky geek!

A favorite store had a sale on Big Peat for 39.99. Even had a bottle open to sample. I bought 3.

@CanadianNinja Hopefully as the industry matures and hopefully grows, we can see a general improvement on consistency and a price reduction.

Old Pulteney 21 yrs for 69 euros from a tax free ferry traveling from Turku, Finland to Stockholm, Sweden. And surprisingly it was after it had already received the Whisky Bible award 2012! I'll imagine that nowadays the price has gone much higher everywhere...

Talisker 18 for $68

I don't think I've ever come across an Australian whisky here in Japan. I would very much like to try a bottle but certainly not at some of the prices I've seen mentioned here!

Hard to say. Myself - I started collecting, tried to get various kinds of whiskey's in the cabinet, read up on whiskey and the processes, follow some blogs and so on. Does that make me a connoisseur? Who knows. Probably not. I'm just a guy who likes Whiskey and the collecting of both bottles and knowledge. Guys like Victor, Paddy here, Talexander, SquidgyAsh...to me, those guys are connoisseurs. Squidgy probably has the travel bills to prove it. :)

Took a day off today! A 'me' day if you will. It's about 10am in Japan at the moment and I have just poured myself a glass of Famous Grouse Gold Reserve 12... Gonna have a few drams throughout the day and watch some baseball : )

Great topic and BRILLIANT response from everyone who's posted! Honesty, just because it's expensive or rare doesn't make it good, don't be blinded by just single malts from Scotland, EVERY country that is producing whisky at this time is doing SOMETHING delicious! ENTHUSIASM if you like whisky don't be afraid to share it! Enjoy the experience and be willing to share it with others, as was just posted on the site here, "good whisky becomes legend when shared with friends" - Paddockjudge I will add one thing to what makes a whisky connoisseur and that is being open to new people who might not be in the "elite" or whatever you consider yourself to be. Be open with recommendations and experiences. There shouldn't be any bias of "you've not got enough experience yet, see us when you've had 'x""

I see it as an arc...neophyte through to snob and finally ending at connoisseur. Many folk stop at snob, refusing to see anything redeeming in flawed or cheap whiskies...true connoisseurs can appreciate quality without prejudice.

@sengjc I loved the Overeem Port Cask, but my standout was amusingly enough the Sherry Cask from Overeem! They're doing some very good whiskies over that way and at a reasonablish price! Indeed Starward is shooting for a consistent price and whisky before moving on to anything else or so they informed me. I must be honest though that Hellyer's Road surprised me by even allowing their whiskies to be tasted as both myself, wife and whisky club noted strong flavors of baby vomit and diapers in all 4 of their whiskies which REALLY surprised me. I remember the first bottle from them being so very delicious and now :(

JJ's recommendation of Woodford Reserve is a good one. Four Roses distillery is a spanish style architecture and the is very nice as well. The BT hard hat tour is cool and worth seeing. I've been to most and each one offers something interesting and/or unique.

@SquidgyAsh I can see your point about the consistency issue given the youth of the Australian whisky industry and you are right about the price, they are not cheap even in Australia. The Starward is a 'new release' and relatively inexpensive while being very good. I was told that their approach is geared towards producing a consistent whisky. I think I might get a bottle of that but will have to rethink getting a bottle of Overeem Port Matured Cask Strength which I thought was the standout of the show.

@two-bit-cowboy Thx and yes, it is indeed something to aspire to. And I am very happy to be part of this community, because in my opinion some REAL connoisseurs are around here. I am not one of them unfortunately but hey, whisky also needs its time ;)

Opened a Glen Ord 25 the other day. Oh deary me! Sublime whisky.

@Whisk Glad you're enjoying it my friend and welcome to Connosr if you're new!!! Working on the Glenglassaugh post right now as we speak, hope to have it posted tomorrow morning sometime (930pm my time right now) but when it REALLY starts rocking is a couple of posts from now when the distilleries start doing things that aren't normally done from what I understand. I will be posting photos on my facebook (all of them) and just a couple on the blog (depending on how much it can handle). This really was a trip of the lifetime! If you'd like to see the photos just friend me on Facebook at Nathan DeTienne (eep my secret identity is out!) @JJBriggs Agreed my friend! There is something magical about the distillery!

Personally my favorite Australian distillery is Limeburners in WA, however my big issue with them is the price point, very expensive and when you start paying $500 to $700 AUS for a bottle of cask strength you really start looking hard at Broras and the Port Ellens. Starward from the New World Distillery has just been released (in Melbourne no less my friend) and that highlights a lot of what the Aussies can do in a short amount of time! In my personal opinion the biggest issues facing the Australian whisky community today is the price point, so often they're too expensive for what they are, and the batch variation. Hellyer's Road for me is a good example: first time trying it; LOVELY! 2nd time trying it after purchasing it; UNPLEASANT, 3rd time trying 4 different expressions at Whisky Live Perth; FOUL! Once batch inconsistencies and the price points can be addressed I think the Aussies are going to do some major butt kicking on the world stage! But palate wise definitely expect a lot of fruit with lots of spice and some excellent casks being chosen!

@Wills spot on! A brilliant definition / model / summary: something to aspire to.

@Rodstar I did manage to try a couple of the Sullivan's Cove malts. They are very good.

Hi all, I have enjoyed a few different expressions of Australian whisky. My favourite so far has been Sullivan's Cove French Oak Port Cask, which was rated very highly by Jim Murray in his 2013 ratings (96.5/100). My tasting notes from earlier this year: *Colour: rich golden *Nose: vanilla, caramel, orange peel, dark raisins, demerera sugar, licorice, butter, banana peel, sweet leather, grass clippings *Taste: rum and raisin chocolate, christmas pudding, cream, lemon butter, honey, golden syrup, light licorice, sherry, lime cordial, citric acid. *Finish: slightly bitter, but overall delicious. Light effect overall, but with lots of nuance when consumed with care.

Cool dude, thanks.

I agree with @systemdown. I would add though that it is a good idea to try as much as you can of the wide variety of whisky out there. Don't think that bourbon isn't any good simply because the one or two bottles you've had weren't worth buying again. Don't give up on blends, Japanese, Canadian or Taiwanese whisky only because your limited experience with them hasn't been favorable. There are so many whiskies out there, you are bound to come across something you like from any whisky genre!

For a connoisseur it's not the quantity, it's the quality of both whisk(e)y and the experience, and the appreciation thereof.

Just sipping the dregs of my Springbank 12 yo claret wood at cask strength. I recently transferred most of what was left to a smaller bottle and there were a couple of drams left that wouldn't fit... Luckily I could get to it before it oxidized. There is sediment at the bottom of the glass. Cask dust? Next, I hope t do a skyped simultasting of the Bladnoch 11 year old, if my pal in Florida ever has time...

There are 2 kinds of Whisky experts. Academics and community (kind of like physicians) The academics ( like me) have read about every type of Whisky.....the community (Ralfy calls them) "punters" have tasted them. My wife says I have book knowledge. What I need is more street knowledge...

Might as well buy a bottle of A'Bunadh then. They come in a canister, taste great, and no UV damage.

@teebone673 Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Cardhu 12yr. I've had the last of my Cragganmore 12yr. This one was also a good Speysider. :)