Japanese Whisky reviews

Shinjiro Torii was the first Japanese to start distilling, already in 1923. This entry level whisky, the 10 Year Old, matured solely on bourbon casks. It was released later than the 12 Year Old, which…

Karuizawa is almost legendary. Status-wise not unlike Port Ellen, I would say. Releases sell at the speed of light, there are no sweeter cakes. It once all started as a winery, distilling taking place…

This is my final Yoichi sample, a 20 Year Old from 1991. It matured in warehouse 15 (many a good cask came from there), in a new oak cask.The prickly nose contains peat and silt, but it is the sweetness…

I tried this one before, but it is such a fine whisky that it is no punishment to return to it. It won top honours at the 2008 World Whisky Awards. Need I say more?The nose bursts with sherry influence…

Yoichi on Hokkaido is Japan’s second oldest distillery (after Yamazaki) and the brainchild of Masetaka Taketsuru. It has been producinig since 1936. It is part of the Nikka concern to which Myagikyo also…

I found yet another peaty Japanese dram in my cabinet, this 17 Year Old from the Yoichi stables. This is a lot darker though, which reveals a sherry cask.Wonderful nose! Perfect mix of raisins and alm…

I thought I was in for a line up of fruity Yoichi, but was surprised at how peaty the Yoichi 1999 was. So best to put another peaty whisky next to that, right? Luckily my sample cabinet still has this…

Color: goldNose: A hand carved oak fruit bowl, full of tropical fruits. Think of pineapple and coconut. Water adds bananas, citrus and melons. And off course some oak and vanilla. You'll discover even…

Hanyu Distillery was located in a town of the same name, 70 kilometres north of Tokyo. The original company was founded from a family business originally established in 1626 by the Akuto family, sake…