Japanese Whisky Is World's Best

[Mulboyne]

[james]

never been a big whiskey drinker but i have a good friend (a professional tippler ) who could likely give an educated opinion. and it's not made by suntory which can't hurt its image in my eyes.

does suntory make anything that doesn't taste like distilled kerosene?

[IkemenTommy]

For a relaxing time, make it a suntory time!
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[sublight]

I picked up a copy of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible last year and was surprised how much praise he was heaping on Japanese whiskies. There were several he ranked right alongside the best of Scotland.

[Jack]

[quote="james"]never been a big whiskey drinker but i have a good friend (a professional tippler ]

Yes, they make Hibiki which is always a hit when I give a bottle to someone as present.

[2triky]

Per chance, has anybody tried this highly acclaimed spirit? A bit expensive at around 300 USD a bottle.

[xenomorph42]

Per chance, has anybody tried this highly acclaimed spirit? A bit expensive at around 300 USD a bottle.

Ouch, a little too steep wouldn`t you say? Here too, never been a big whisky fan, but for 300 bones, it better knock my socks off.

[Charles]

In an attempt to understand some of the hubub about premium brands, I read some of the whiskey otaku websites, it is all too analytical for me. I follow a simpler rule: the best whiskey is the one being poured for you now.

[2triky]

Ouch, a little too steep wouldn`t you say? Here too, never been a big whisky fan, but for 300 bones, it better knock my socks off.

I agree...it is expensive...I can't profess to be a whisky conneisseur...I enjoy in a blue moon...I've had the usual suspects...Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, and Laphroaig...but I haven't any whisky in ages...

[2triky]

In an attempt to understand some of the hubub about premium brands, I read some of the whiskey otaku websites, it is all too analytical for me. I follow a simpler rule: the best whiskey is the one being poured for you now.

A fair rule.

[Ketou]

I enjoy a sour mash or an Irish, but for some reason can't get my taste buds used to a Scotch....

And you're right about that Kero taste James....suntory whiskey...sigh.

[Taro Toporific]

[sublight]

Per chance, has anybody tried this highly acclaimed spirit? A bit expensive at around 300 USD a bottle.

They had it at the Whisky Live expo last month so I gave it a try (that was one of the only ones that had a line of people waiting for a taste).

The smell was amazingly good, but the taste seemed a bit off. It had a slight sulfur flavor (caused by the disinfecting process done on sherry casks before they're used for whisky). It wasn't strong enough to be really unpleasant, but it just didn't seem quite right.

The best Japanese whisky I had there (altogether I tried about 20 Japanese and Scottish) was the Ichiro's Malt Ace of Diamonds. It's also pretty pricey, at about JPY18,000, but a fantastic whisky. I haven't bought any, but if I did I wouldn't feel too much guilt over the price.

Some good lower-priced ones:
Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength: under 4,000yen at Shinanoya, relatively mild and even
Highland Park 12-year-old: under 4,000 at Shinanoya. Sweet caramel smell, gentle taste
Benriach Curiositas: About 4,500 at Hasegawa. Very smoky, almost medicinal/asphalt-like (odd way to describe it, but I still like it)
Laprhoaig Quarter Cask: Smoky, but not overpowering. I like it, some don't.
Jameson's Irish Whisky. Tried it on St. Patrick's Day and was surprised how nice it was. Seijo Ishii has it for 1700yen.

[nottu]

[CrankyBastard]

I really like the Islay singles best of all.
But Yoiichi(regular 12yr) for the price and availability in Japan ain't too bad.
Tonight though, I'm sipping straight Balvenie double wood, a Speyside, to have a rest from the smokey Islays for a while in order to appreciate them even more next time I open one.
Enjoying every sip!:D

[nottu]

[nottu]

[Mike Oxlong]

If its Irish, its Whiskey.

Naturally!

[nottu]

[FG Lurker]

I know what you mean about giving the deep tasting whiskey a rest sometimes. I like to have the Glenlivet 18 year old in there for that. Its a single malt but so smooth, almost light by contrast.

I have a bottle of Glenlivet XXV that I am very slowly enjoying.

Lagavulin is my favorite smokey whisky as well. Very nice on a cold winter night.

[Takechanpoo]

[Ikemen-of-d00m]

I really want to test out some of these expensive Japanese whiskeys! The only Japanese whiskeys I've tasted, have been quite cheap and not so smooth.

Since I'm still very young, it's only been a year since I became a whiskey-drinker. I have probably only tasted around 10-12 different brands, and most of them I don't even remember the name of. The only thing I know for sure, is that Jameson Irish Whiskey is my favorite so far. But I haven't really had the chance to try any good Scottish single malts, like Highland Park or The Glenlivet.

Got any recommendations?

EDIT:
It's probably worth mentioning that I like to drink my whiskey straight... I have nothing against ice, but it feels like I get to enjoy the taste better when I don't add anything..

[nottu]

[American Oyaji]

Nottu, are you still in Japan?

[nottu]

[American Oyaji]

Just found The Yamazaki in a local liquor store!!!!!!!!

And it is indeed as good as I remembered.

12yr. $43.95

[nottu]

[American Oyaji]

From your prior posts I understand that you are a whiskey appricator - you really need to try the Taketsuru 21 yo - its special.

What does it run? If it's not too steep, I'll try it out when I come through this winter.

[nottu]

[American Oyaji]

Alright then. That's a plan. What's your base of operations in J-land BTW?