Top 12 Japanese Whiskies

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News Uptake

The realm of Japanese whisky has brought joy to enthusiasts, albeit accompanied by a hint of frustration.

Although not the oldest name in Japanese whisky, Nikka has undeniably played a significant role in shaping the spirit's journey.

If there's one name synonymous with Japanese whisky, it's Suntory, established in 1899 and venturing into whisky production in 1923.

Don't be misled by the term "Coffey" – it refers to a column still, not the caffeinated bean. So, embrace this intriguing dram without hesitation.

The birth of the Mars Shinshu distillery in the Japanese Alps in 1985 marked Hombo Shuzo Ltd's relocation and foray into whisky production.

Named after Nikka's original distillery founded in 1934, the Yoichi Single Malt carries the legacy of its inception.

Hailing from Suntory's grain distillery, Chita, this whisky contributes to the blend in expressions like Toki.

Similar to Toki, Hibiki "Japanese Harmony" blends malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita distilleries.

When establishing Nikka's second distillery, Masataka Taketsuru deliberately chose a location distinct from Yoichi.

Though the Akashi Sake Brewery has a century-old history in distilling, the dedicated Kaikyō Distillery for gins and whiskies emerged in 2017.

While scotch-inspired whisky gained prominence in the 19th century, the Japanese were no strangers to the spirit.

As Japan's first malt whisky producer, Suntory's Yamazaki distillery presents the flagship expression in the Yamazaki 12 Years Old Single Malt.

Challenging the notion that single malts equate to superior quality, the blended Hibiki 21 Year showcases a fusion of malts from Suntory's Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries.