Japanese whiskey: names, prices and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Scottish and Irish scotch is known, perhaps, to everyone. But Japanese whiskey is not known to everyone. And this is not surprising, because at the moment he is the youngest of his kind. Although it cannot boast of its amazing origin story and unique manufacturing traditions, this drink certainly deserves special attention.

History of Japanese whiskey

The history of this drink began in 1870 in the suburbs of Kyoto, but its official production took place only in 1924, when the first distillery was opened in the Land of the Rising Sun.

In 1917, a talented technologist Matasaka Taketsuru from Japan was sent to Scotland for training. For two years, the young man carefully studied the technology and features of the preparation of Scotch whiskey. That is why Japanese scotch has more in common with Scottish than with Irish drink. However, history has left its mark on the development of alcoholic beverages. Yes, the greatestJapanese whiskey began to enjoy popularity only in the post-war years.

Of course, at the first stages, the alcoholic products of the Land of the Rising Sun were subjected to the most severe criticism. However, later even true gourmets appreciated the amazing taste of this drink.

Japanese whiskey categories

Like Scotch or Irish whiskey, Japanese whiskey is divided into several categories. There are three main types: single m alt, grain and blended. Of course, the main part of the products sold are blends of Japanese scotch.

Currently, there are two largest companies that specialize in the production of exclusive alcoholic products of the Land of the Rising Sun - Japanese whiskey Suntory, which accounts for about 70% of production, and Nikka, which produces about 15% of scotch. There is also Ocean and Kirin-Seagram with a 5% share of the alcohol market.

Most Japanese whiskey is made from Optic barley, which is also popular in Scotland.

Production technology

As already mentioned, the production technology of Japanese whiskey is borrowed from Scotland. Therefore, the fact that Scottish peat is used to make Japanese blends is not at all surprising. However, true gourmets note that the taste and aroma of the Japanese drink is still different from blended Scottish scotch. So, for example, Japanese whiskey Nikka or Black has much less smoky smell andaftertaste.

Just like Scotch, Japanese Scotch is aged in sherry or bourbon casks. Sometimes new oak barrels are used for these purposes, which in no way reduces the taste and quality characteristics of Japanese whiskey.

It is impossible not to note one very important feature of the production of Japanese scotch tape. The fact is that distilleries in Japan do not exchange whiskey varieties among themselves, as is customary in Scotland.

Japanese whiskey BLACK NIKKA CLEAR

Some varieties deserve special attention. For example, the Japanese whiskey BLACK NIKKA CLEAR is a single m alt scotch, which is not so easy to find in popular exclusive liquor stores. This trade brand is easy to recognize among similar products. The label with a perky bearded man immediately gives out Japanese whiskey. The price of one bottle fluctuates between 3000-4500 Russian rubles.

This scotch tape has a mild taste and exquisite aroma. It is worth noting, as numerous customer reviews show, the entire BLACK series has qualities unusual for Scottish scotch tape. So, if the blended varieties of Scotland are more suitable for thoughtful sipping of an exclusive drink, then Japanese whiskey will most likely fit perfectly into an incendiary party and allow you to create many delicious cocktails with your direct participation.

Customer reviews and price of Japanese whiskey

To begin with, it is worth noting thatthat the exclusive drink of the Land of the Rising Sun is very rationally bottled in a wide variety of volumes. So, on sale you can find the widest range of whiskey packaged from 180 ml to 4 liters, which is undoubtedly very convenient. However, Japanese whiskey BLACK (2 liters) is more popular. The cost of one such bottle in some places can be only 1.5-2 thousand Russian rubles. But the buyer should be extremely careful - counterfeit Japanese whiskey is now very common.

True connoisseurs of scotch and exclusive alcohol have long noted the characteristic features of Japanese products. So, it has a softer and more harmonious taste, without a bright woody aftertaste. Japanese whiskey is ideal for making cocktails. By the way, the Japanese themselves most often dilute it with ordinary water, as they do not really like pungent odors and flavors.

Small assortment list of Japanese alcoholic products from SUNTORY

Blended and single m alt varieties of Japanese whiskey differ in many ways in their taste and quality characteristics. However, there are several species that truly deserve special attention:

• 

  Whiskey SUNTORY OLD. It has a rich and sweet aroma, with pronounced vanilla and fruity notes. The taste of the drink is rich, almost immediately you can feel the consistency of the scotch and its unsurpassed quality. This is a fairly popular whiskey in Japan. Furthermore,especially for him, the designers developed a black bottle in the best Japanese traditions.

• Whiskey SUNTORY HIBIKI 17 Years Old. It has a rich aroma of honey, oak and resin, as well as pronounced fruit and nutty nuances. The taste is sweet, with a bright aftertaste of raisins, citrus freshness and oak wood.
• Whiskey SUNTORY HAKUSHU. This is a truly magnificent blend of the best varieties of Japanese scotch, as well as an unsurpassed combination of exquisite taste and aroma. Differs in the most gentle delicate aroma, with pronounced vanilla notes. The taste of this drink will only emphasize the first impression of the aroma - light and refined, elegant and soft, with a rich fruity tinge.

Features of whiskey from Japan

The Land of the Rising Sun differs in many ways from European countries. Japan has a rich culture, a unique mentality, wonderful traditions and just a completely different world that not everyone understands. Almost the same is the case with exclusive alcoholic products. Despite the fact that the experience of scotch production was borrowed from Scotland, Japanese technologists managed to give their offspring their own taste and unique personality.

For example, Japanese distilleries do not exchange the best blends, and recipes and cooking traditions are carefully kept and kept secret. In Japan, blended whiskeys with a short aging period are widespread - this is allowed at the legislative level. However, it should be noted that all export alcoholthe product has passed the required aging period and has an unsurpassed taste, which is clearly different from Scottish scotch.