Japanese Whisky reviews

Can be ordered from the bar in the Yamazaki distillery as a 3 dram ‘old’ platter for around £13 for the three. The other two were hibiki 21 and hakushu 18 which i will also be reviewing from notes.…

Two drams given at the end of the distillery tour. Very common and easy to find whisky at a generally decent price (when compared to other Japanese options).NoseBlueberry, oak spice incouding cinnamon…

Given at the end of the distillery tour in Japan. A key contributor to the standard Yamazaki Single malt.NoseCherry, wood spice, strawberry, cinnamonPalateCherry, heavy wood spice, dark burnt toffee…

Given free at the end of the distillery tour to show you one of the single malts present in the Yamazaki Single malt.NoseButter, white toast, fresh bitter green applePalateButtered toast, bitter fresh…

I had this bottle as a present from my sister for my 40th just over 5 years ago.The bottle (it comes in what looks like an oversized aftershave bottle) is long gone but I decanted the last 50ml and…

Well, what have we here (say this in the Lando Calrissian voice, please): a Yoichi 15 Year Old. Let me dust off the sample bottle and pour this baby. It has become almost unaffordable at this point (if…

When Nikka launched its Yoichi NAS on sherry wood, the same happened with sister distillery Miyagikyo. This whisky received a long finish on sherry casks and has a stunning color.Dark & sweet, creamy…

Nikka is out of mature stocks of its award winning Yoichi and hence took all whisky with age statement of the market. Until they have stocks that have reached a respectable age again, we have to make do…

Along with the Yoichi Bourbon Wood Finish, Nikka also launched this Miyakikyo, which matured on bourbon casks as well.Soft, sweet and ‘green’ on the nose. Think young twigs and buttercups. Some red fruit…

With demand for Japanese whisky easily trumping what’s on the market, the larger producers (Nikka & Suntory) have taken all age statement expressions of the market. Until they have stocks that have…