A high-end bottle of Japanese whiskey is not easy to get your hands on, and usually they are fairly pricey. Whiskey prices have gone up massively in the past years, these bottles can cost triple the price it once was! It raises the question, whether Japanese whiskies are worth its high price? Well, yes, Japanese whisky usually combines different notes to deliver a great taste, it is definitely worth a sip even if you are not a whiskey lover!

            Japanese whisky has become incredibly popular over the past few years. These bottles of whisky have become extremely rare, as distilleries have struggles to meet the global demand. Several brands have approached this issue by offering new blends and no-age-statement (NAS) whiskies. These drinks are truly incredible, and it delivers an enjoyable way to socialise, here are the Best Japanese Whiskey worth a try!

 

 

 

1. Black Nikka Clear Whisky

 

 

Black Nikka Clear Whisky is easy to drink with non-peated refreshing taste. It has a soft texture with a clean aftertaste, features a manufacturing method that uses only hot air to dry barley malt and does not use peat. You can enjoy the refreshing malt scent without the scent of peat. Highly recommended for those who prefer a faint sweetness rather than smoky scents. Perfect for parties and gatherings as it is light and easy to enjoy.

            You can enjoy this drink in several ways, we recommend trying whiskey float, by adding ice and water first, then slowly pour the whiskey with a muddler to create a beautiful two-layer float. Enjoy the change of flavour from straight to water.

 

 

 

2. Suntory Whisky Squared Bottle

 

 

 

If you have ever been to Japan, you will recognise Suntory Whisky bottles. It is a favourite to many Japanese; Suntory Whisky Squared Bottle is a long-selling whiskey for over 80 years since 1937. A blend of bourbon barrel liquor from Yamazaki Distillery and Hakushu Distillery. Created to suit the taste bud of Japanese people, it features a sweet scent and intense richness.

In addition, it has a dry aftertaste, therefore if you make a highball that is divided by carbonic acid, the flavour will be even more pronounced.

 

 

 

3. Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky

 

 

 

This is a luxurious whisky that you want to drink on a special occasion. Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky is a domestic whiskey blended with the craftsmanship that has been passed down from many generations. Great care and attention are paid to flavours and proportions, with some distilleries producing dozens of different whiskies that are combined into the final product.

            Hibiki is a blend from Suntory, launched in 1989, there are now three different expressions in the range with different prices. Harmony is a blend of malt and grain whisky from Suntory’s three distilleries’ ages in several different cask types.  

 

 

 

4. Suntory the Chita Whisky

 

 

 

Suntory Whiskey Chita is made from only grain whiskey that was born in the Chita Distillery in Aichi Prefecture. A single grain whiskey made only from grain liquor made from corn. It features a sweet scent like honey with a soft texture. The aftertaste is sharp, and you can feel a slight sweetness. It has a gentle scent; this whiskey goes well especially with Japanese food, perfect to enjoy with dinner. 

            A mild and smooth single grain whisky with unparalleled sophistication and a clear finish. Can be enjoyed on any occasion!

 

 

 

5. Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky

 

 

 

Ichiro’s Malt & Grain have a history of producing top quality world blended expressions. The distillery is small compared to others in Japan, but the whisky makes a big statement. The sourced whisky is all aged between three and 20 years, and then matured at the distillery for another two years before blending.

            It has sweet notes of butterscotch, stone fruit, toasted cereals and malt, banana, as well as a hint of pale straw. The palate is quintessentially light and elegant, delivering gently sweet flavours of toffee, roasted chestnuts, lemon zest, gingerbread, banana, and vanilla notes of barley malt.

 

 

 

6. Suntory Whisky Torys Classic

 

 

 

Suntory Whisky Torys Classic features a gentle and sweet fragrance and a smooth rounded taste. This is an easy to drink whiskey that you can enjoy at home. From the distillers who birthed the trend of Japanese Whisky almost a century ago, Suntory Torys Classic Whisky comes from Suntory’s Hakushu Distillery and offers a medium-bodied taste on the palate that has the sweetness of honey and apple, with the spiciness of white pepper.

The gentle sweet fragrance and smooth rounded taste allows one to enjoy this whisky neat, on the rocks or mixed with water.

 

 

 

7. Koshu Nirasaki Blended Whisky Original

 

 

 

Koshu Nirasaki Blended Whisky is a high-quality taste born in a beautiful nature of Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is carefully aged using clear water sources from Aomine Yatsugatake. The mellow taste comes from the blend of carefully selected raw sake. This blended whisky has a sweet fragrance matured in barrels, with deep mellow taste.  

 

 

 

8. Suntory the Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky

 

 

 

A single malt made in a historic distillery using wine barrel aged malt and Mizunara barrel aged malt as raw liquor. The sweet vanilla and rich fruit aromas such as strawberries and cherries are enjoyable. Even if you divide it with soda, the scent will not collapse, so you can use a darker highball. It goes well with delicate dishes such as Japanese food.

The whisky is light with dry spice notes and loads of fruity flavours, with a finish that lingers for a while. This is a quintessential Japanese whisky that any whiskey lover should try at least once.

 

 

 

9. Nikka Whisky Single Malt Yoichi

 

 

 

Single Malt Yoichi is raised in Hokkaido, which was selected as the ideal place for by Masataka Takezuru, the father of Japanese whiskey . Yoichi Single Malt is described as bold and strong. Pleasant peaty notes and smokiness originate from traditional direct coal-fired distillation accented with a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the ageing process.

            A well-balanced taste that gives equal aromas of peat, smoke, spices, fresh fruits (melon, kiwi) and nuts (almond, walnut). The mid-palate starts off with chocolate notes, but the peat soon takes the lead once again. Recommended to be enjoyed with light snacks.

 

 

 

10. Suntory the Hakushu Single Malt Whisky

 

 

 

A single malt made from natural water from the Southern Alps. A blend of various malt raw liquors made at the Shirasu Distillery in Yamanashi Prefecture. It has a fresh and light flavour.
            Suntory’s Hakushu distillery is a stunning place to visit, located in the forested mountains—a.k.a. the Southern Japanese Alps—a few hours from Tokyo. The 18-Year-Old single malt is probably the best whisky in the Hakushu range, with fresh notes of fruit and malt, along with just a hint of smoke and dried cherry.  

 

 

 

11.Suntory World Whisky Ao

 

 

 

Ao is named after the deep blue of the majestic oceans that connect our world. It is a blended whisky with a sweet and vibrant note, smooth on the palette, but with a multi-layered flavour that leads to a pleasingly smoky finish, revealing its many expressions.
            Tasting notes promise a smooth mouthfeel, and a bit of smokiness with cinnamon spice on the palate. Ao was previously available only in Japan, however it is now being released in global retailers. You won't be disappointed by the taste of this stunning Suntory whisky.