270 Japanese whiskies and counting

[dramtastic]

Here's a list of what I've tasted so far.........
Gold = The best of the best
Silver = Definite repeat buy
Bronze = Good enough to buy again if I find it at a good price.
Black = If it's written in black I won't being going back.
List will be updated periodically
Also as I tend to have a lot of bottles open, some 'ratings' may change as I discover hidden gems or flaws over the life of the bottle.
You can find comprehensive tasting notes and loads more info on Japanese Whisky by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

SUNTORY (79)
YAMAZAKI/HAKUSHU/CHITA
Hakushu NAS 2012 43%
Hakushu Pure Malt 7YO
Hakushu 10 circa 2011
Hakushu Heavily Peated NAS 2011 48%
Hakushu Heavily Peated NAS 2012 48%
Hakushu Bourbon Barrel NAS 48%
The Cask of Hakushu Heavily Peated 1993 #3B40573 58%
Suntory Owners Cask Shinanoya Hakushu 1997 11YO 58%
Hakushu 12 circa 2009
Hakushu 12 circa 2011
Hakushu 18 circa 2012
The Single Malt Hakushu 12 56%
Suntory(Hakushu) Southern Alps Pure Malt 40%
The Cask of Hakushu Bota Corta #3C40789 60%
Hakushu Sherry Cask NAS 2012 48%
Suntory Key Malt Hakushu 17 Sherry Butt 50%
Suntory Key Malt 17 Smokey 50%
The Hakushu SM Aged 15 Years 56%
Cask of Hakushu 1989 Sherry Butt #9W50004 63%
The Hakushu Single Malt Sherry Cask #9O 50021 1989 TWE 62%
Suntory Owners Cask Hakushu 2000-2011 #EL 41914 Smoky & Bitter 57%
Hibiki 12 circa 2011
Hibiki 17 circa 2009
Hibiki 21 circa 2010
Suntory Single Grain Whisky
Suntory Pure Malt Zen
Suntory Kakubin Yellow Label 40%
Suntory Kakubin Black Label 43%
Suntory Old 43%
Suntory Classic 43%
Suntory Royal NAS 43%
Suntory Royal 12 43%
Suntory Smokey and Co Natural Mellow 40%
Suntory Smokey and Co Fine Mint 40%
Suntory Smokey and Co Super Smokey 40%
Suntory Aqua Vitae Pure Malt 40%
Suntory Esquire Whisky for Daiwa Jitsugyo Group 1964 43%
Suntory Yamazaki Gold Sherry Butt 1970’s Bottling 42%
Suntory Kioke Shiome Pure Malt 1981 43%
Yamazaki 25 43%
Suntory Hokuto 50.5%
Suntory Century 2001 Aged 15 Years 43%
Suntory Special Reserve Aged 10 Years
Suntory Special Reserve Aged 12 Years
Suntory Royal Aged 15 Years
Suntory Ageing 15 Years 40%
Suntory “Hokuto” Pure Malt 12
Yamazaki Izuhara Tarudashi Genshu Sherry Butt 54%
Yamazaki Izuhara Tarudashi Genshu 58%
Yamazaki Taradeshi Genshu (Puncehon or Bourbon Barrel) 43%
Yamazaki Pure Malt 7YO
Yamazaki NAS 43% 2012
Yamazaki 10 circa 2011
Yamazaki 12 circa 2009
Yamazaki 12 circa 2011
Yamazaki 18 circa 2012
Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2009 NAS 48%
Yamazaki Puncheon NAS 2011 48%
Suntory Owners Cask (Yamazaki) 1996 Bourbon Barrel Bar Hermit 60%
Yamazaki 12 circa 2012
Yamazaki 18 circa 2011
Yamazaki Puncheon NAS 2012 48%
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel 2011 NAS 48%
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel 2012 NAS 48%
Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2012 NAS 48%
Yamazaki SC 1998 Sherry Butt # CM70006 59%
Yamazaki SC 1996 Yokohama 150yr Anniversary 63%
Yamazaki SC Takashimaya Buyers Selection 2000 10YO Sherry Butt 57%
Suntory Owners Cask Shinanoya Yamazaki Bota Corta Cask 1999 9YO 56%
Suntory Single Cask for Isetan Yamazaki Sherry Butt 15YO 61%
Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2011 NAS 48%
Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2012 NAS 48%
The Cask of Yamazaki 1993 Heavily Peated #3Q70040 62%
The Cask of Yamazaki 1993 Heavily Peated #3Q70047 62%
The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt #ON70646 61%
Suntory Owners Cask (Yamazaki) 1996 Sherry Butt Bar Hermit 58%
Suntory Owners Cask Bar Hermit Private Stock Yamazaki 1996 Sherry Butt 13YO #AX70004 60%
Yamazaki 1984 43%
Yamazaki Vintage 1980 Sherry Cask 56%

NIKKA (61)
YOICHI/MIYAGIKYO
Miyagikyo 10
Miyagikyo Date Blend(coffey malt & coffey grain) 43%
Miyagikyo NAS circa 2010
Miyagikyo 12
Mikagikyo 15
Miyagikyo Vintage 1988 21YO 50%
Miyagikyo Vintage 1989 50%
Miyagikyo Single Cask 1989 21YO #40745 60%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Miyagikyo 12 58%
Miyagikyo Single Cask 1996 16YO Sherry Cask 60% #118913
Nikka New Make
Nikka Black Clear 37%
Nikka De Ta Blend
Nikka Gold and Gold 43%
Nikka Super
Nikka Black 8YO 40%
Nikka Ageing Triple 40%
The Blend of Nikka 40%
Nikka Grand Age 45%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Malt 100 12YO 40%
Nikka Pure Malt NAS Old Bottling 55.1%
Taketsuru 12 circa 2011
Nikka Single Cask Coffey Grain 55%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Single Coffey Grain 12 58%
Nikka All Malt
Nikka Corn Base 43%- Malt and Corn blend
Nikka Pure Malt Red
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky 43%
Nikka Pure Malt “Hokkaido” 12YO
Yoichi NAS circa 2010
Yoichi 10 circa 2009
Yoichi 12 circa 2012
NIkka Pure Malt White circa 2012
Yoichi Key Malt Peaty and Salty 55%
Yoichi Single Cask 1991 14YO #129504 Warehouse 15 64%
Nikka Rye Base 43%- Malt and Rye blend
Nikka Pure Malt White circa 2010
Nikka Pure Malt Black circa 2010
Nikka Pure Malt Black circa 2012
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel circa 2012
The Blend of Nikka 17YO circa 2011
The Blend of Nikka 45% circa 2009
Nikka Tsuru 17 43% circa 2011
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Blend 12 58%
Taketsuru Pure Malt 17YO circa 2011
Taketsuru Pure Malt 21YO circa 2009
Yoichi 12 circa 2009
Yoichi 12 circa 2012
Yoichi 15 circa 2011
Yoichi 15 circa 2012
Yoichi SMWS 1985 23YO #116.3 51.7%
Yoichi Tarudashi Genshu 20YO #24D42A 56%
Yoichi Single Cask 1991 20YO #129651 Warehouse 15 63%
Nikka From The Barrel 51.4% circa 2009
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel circa 2010
Yoichi 20 52% circa 2010
Yoichi Tarudashi Genshu 10YO #18114B 61%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Yoichi 12 58%
Yoichi Single Cask 1988 23% #100129 Warehouse 15 61%
Taketsuru Pure Malt 35YO
Yoichi Single Cask 1994 18YO #400749 Warehouse 25 62%

MONDE (1)
Monde Crystal Blend 40%

TAKARA SHUZOU (1)
Sirakawa Malt Genshu 30YO 55%

CHUGOKU JOZO (1)
Togouchi Aged 18 Years

WAKATSURU SHUZOU (1)
Sunshine Single Malt Aged 20 Years 59%

KYOWA HAKKO KOGYU (1)
Diamond Whisky 43%

EIGASHIMA (5)
AKASHI(WHITE OAK)
White Oak 14YO 58%
White Oak Blend NAS 40%
White Oak Crown Blend 43%
White Oak SM 12YO 50%
White Oak SM Aged 5 Years 45%

MERCIAN/KIRIN (42)
KARUIZAWA/KAWASAKI
Ichiro’s Choice Kawasaki Single Grain Whisky 1981 62.4%
Kawasaki Single Grain Sherry Butt 1982 28YO # 7414 65.5%
Karuizawa Oakmaster Blend
Karuizawa 17YO
Karuizawa 1991 19YO Sherry Butt for Oxfam #3206 60.8%
Karuizawa 1997 13YO Sherry Butt for Oxfam #3312 60.2%
Karuizawa 1990 19YO Whisky Live Japan 2010 Sherry Butt #6446 60%
Mercian Karuizawa Ootori Blend 40%
Mercian Karuizawa Tsutagura Spring/Summer 16YO 40%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1987 15YO #2114 60.2%
Karuizawa For TIBS/WhiskyLive Tokyo 2012 Vintage 1999-2000 Marrying Cask #7698 61.7%
Karuizawa For TIBS/WhiskyLive Tokyo 2012 Vintages 1999-2000 Marrying Cask #2565 61.6%
Karuizawa 1977 Sherry Butt #6994 62.7%
Karuizawa Dave Broom School of Malt Sherry Butt 1991 21YO #9091 63.7%
Karuizawa 1982-2012 Bourbon Barrel Coy Fish Label #8497 46% -
Karuizawa 1982-2012 Noh Cask #8529 Bourbon 58.8%
Karuizawa OB 1986-2008 Sherry Butt #7387 60.7%
Karuizawa 1984 28YO No.1 Drinks Sherry Butt #3692 61.6%
Karuizawa Noh Sherry butt & Bourbon casks #6405, 4973, 8184, 6437 '81-84 27YO 59.1%
Karuizawa 12 Old Square Bottle
Karuizawa Exceed Aged 12 Years 40%
Karuizawa 1999 11YO #867 61.4%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1985 17YO # 6885 60%
Karuizawa Kohaku Single Cask 10YO 59.9%
Karuizawa Kohaku Aged 10 Years 40%
Karuizawa Noh Kambiasabi 1994 #2770 62.7%
Karuizawa 1976 #7818 63.6%
Karuizawa 1995 Noh Dr Jekyll Expression #5039 59.4%
Karuizawa 1981-2011 Sherry Cask #7924 56.6%
Karuizawa 1995 13YO Rouge Cask #5021 Chateau Mercian Barrel Reserve 63%
Karuizawa 1998 12YO #2347 64.2%
Karuizawa SC 1990 11YO # 7408 57%
Karuizawa Vintage 1986 16YO #7507 59.9%
Karuizawa Vintage 1971 37YO #6878 64.1%
Memories of Karuizawa 1999 13YO Sherry Cask #879 62.9%abv
Karuizawa SC 1989 12YO # 7410 61.3%
Karuizawa 1981-2012 Noh Cask #4676 Sherry 58.6%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1982 20YO Sherry Butt # 2510 58.2%
Karuizawa 1992 #6978 62.8%
Karuizawa 1981-2012 LMDW Cocktail Series Sherry Cask #162 55.8% - Not yet rated
Karuizawa 1970-2012 No.1 Drinks Sherry Cask #6177 64.3% - Not yet rated
Karuizawa 1969-2012 No.1 Drinks Bourbon Cask #8163 61.3% - Not yet rated

HOMBO SHUZOU (23)
MARS SHINSHU KOMOGATAKE/KAGOSHIMA
Mars Amber Blended Malt 40%
Mars Moltage Aged 12 Years 40%
Mars Moltage Komagatake Sherry Cask 10YO
Mars Malt Gallery SC 1988 Sherry Butt #0565-107 58%
Mars Single Cask # 904 Aged 15 Years 43%
Mars Single Cask Vintage Malt 1988 Komogatake 46%
Mars New Pot Single Malt Lightly Peated 2011 10mths 60%
Mars New Pot Single Malt Heavily Peated 2011 10mths 60%
Mars New Pot Single Malt Heavily Peated 2012 9mths 60%
Mars Awai Tradtion 40%
Mars Single Cask Vintage Malt 1992 Komogatake 46%
Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1989 23YO 57.9% American White Oak Cask #1041
Mars Moltage Pure Malt 8YO 43%
Mars Malt Gallery 1991 18YO #1110 American White Oak 58%
Mars The Malt of Kagoshima 1984 25YO 46%
Mars Moltage 3 and 25 28YO 46%
Mars Malt Gallery Single Cask #0323-158 1985 20YO 58%
Mars Malt Gallery 1985 23YO #324 American White Oak 58%
Mars SC 20YO 58% # 618
Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1985 27YO 60.7% Sherry Cask #162
Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1989 23YO 63.5% Cognac Limousin Cask #1060
Mars Single Cask Whisky 1992 Sherry Butt #1124 Aged 12 Years 43%
Private Cask for Espoa - Not yet rated
Mars Single Cask Whisky 1992 American White Oak #1143 Aged 12 Years 43%
Private Cask for Espoa - Not yet rated

HANYU/VENTURE (44)
ICHIRO'S/CHICHIBU/GOLDEN HORSE
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Floor Malted 2009 3YO 50.5%
Chichibu Newborn Heavily Peated July 2009 Aged 3 Mths #452 61.4%
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First 2008 3YO 61.8%
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Peated 50.5%
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu Port Pipe 2009 3YO
Golden Horse Special Blended Malt 42%
Golden Horse Aged 8 Years
Golden Horse Aged 12 Years 50%
Golden Horse Chichibu The Single Malt 14YO 57%
Golden Horse Chichibu 12YO 56%
Ichiro’s Malt The Final Vintage of Hanyu 2000 9YO 61.1%
Ichiro’s Malt 6 of Clubs 2000 9YO 57.9%
Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve 46%
Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve 46%
Hanyu 1988 21YO "Noh" Sherry Butt #9306 55.6%
Ichiro’s Malt 15YO 4th release 46%
Ichiro's Malt and Grain 46%
Ichiro's Malt and Grain Premium 50%
Ichiro's Malt For The Drinker 48%
Ichiro's Malt 4 of Diamonds PX Cask 56.9%
Ichiro's Malt and Grain For Takashimaya 48%
Ichiro's Malt 7 of Diamonds 1991 19YO PX Cask 54.8%
Ichiro’s Malt Vintage 1988 Hogshead 56%
Ichiro’s Malt Shot Bar Zoetrope 3rd Anniversary Bottling 60.7%
Ichiro's Malt Single Cask 1990 #9414 17YO Bourbon Barrel 55.5%
Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries 46%
Ichiro’s Malt Ginkgo Blended Malt 46%
Ichiro's Malt The Final Vintage of Hanyu 2000 10YO 60.1%
Ichiro’s Malt 4 of Spades Mizunara Wood 2000 10YO 58.6%
Ichiro’s Malt SC Puncheon 2000 10YO # 6080 61%
Ichiro's Malt 10 of Hearts Madiera Hogshead Finish 61%
Ichiro's Blend 20YO For Takashimaya 46%
Ichiro's Malt Queen of Spades Port Pipe 1990 19YO 53.1%
Ichiro's Malt Chibidaru for TIBS/WhiskyLive Tokyo 2012 #349 2000 12YO 58.4%
Ichiro's Malt & Grain 20YO 46%(Hanyu malt & Kawasaki grain)
Ichiro’s Malt The Game 2000 9YO 61.2%
Ichiro's Malt 9 of Clubs Bourbon Barrel 1991 20YO 57.3%
Ichiro's Malt Single Cask 2000 9YO #8779 62.9%
Ichiro's Malt 8 of Clubs 1988 23YO #7100 57.5
Ichiro’s Malt SC for Takashimaya 1991 18YO 46.5%
Ichiro's Malt Hanyu 1986 22YO Part Des Agnes Closed Distilleries #2812 59.4% - not yet rated
Ichiro's Malt 2000 7YO 3 of Spades Virgin Oak Finish #7000 57.9% - not yet rated
Ichiro's Malt Hanyu 1998 19YO Japanese Oak Finish No1 Drinks #9501 55.6% - not yet rated
Ichiro's Malt 2000 12YO for Whisky Talk 2012 60.1% - not yet rated

KIRIN-SEAGRAMS (14)
GOTENBA
Robert Brown Deluxe Blend 43%
Dunbar Pure Malt 42%
Kirin Orchid Blend Sherry Matured 43%
Kirin Hips Blend 40%
Kirin Once Upon A Time Pure Malt 43%
Kirin 50% Blend
Kirin Emblem Blend 43%
Kirin Evermore 2001 21YO Blend 40%
Kirin Crescent Blend 43%
Kirin Sanroku SM 18YO
Kirin Evermore 2002 21YO Blend 40%
Kirin Evermore 21YO 2005 Blend 40%
Kirin 20YO lightly Peated 43%
Kirin 20th Anniversary Pure Malt 40%

[TheTross]

Good work sir, 18 months well spent I'd say! Didn't realise there was such a large range of Japanese whisky to tell the truth - I haven't heard of quite a lot of those distilleries/brands.

So go on, which one was your favourite?

[dramtastic]

Probably only accounts for about one percent of what's been available TT. As for a favorite, I put the same list in whisky tastings over at the magazine forum with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the worthy.

[smn]

Impressive list! Also lots of medals, which brings the question, did you find anything that was really not good at all, or complete rubbish?

[HST]

Just wondering if you have been buying these bottles while in japan, or through mail order? Havent come across many japanese whiskies in Aus...

[dramtastic]

Impressive list! Also lots of medals, which brings the question, did you find anything that was really not good at all, or complete rubbish?

In truth I haven't had too many bottles of whisky of any sort that have been absloute rubbish, but out of the Japanese stuff these make that list

Nikka De Ta Blend: For those that like a little whisky with their sulphur.
Kirin Robert Brown Deluxe Blend: Cheap to buy and for good reason, it tastes that way.
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1987 15 #2114 60.2%: Perfume, kero, some kind of boiled meat, burning rubber.... and that's the good part.
Mars Malt Gallery SC 1988 #0565-107 Sherry Butt 58%: Pour some Old Spice Cologne or similar into a whisky glass then drink. Same effect.
Suntory Yamazaki Gold Sherry Cask from the 70's 42%: Warning! Do not try this at home folks.....or anywhere else!
Kirin Dunbar Pure Malt: Just plain wierd. Current possible use, glueing together your next Airfix kit cuz that's what it smells like.

[dramtastic]

:shock:

Good work sir, 18 months well spent I'd say! Didn't realise there was such a large range of Japanese whisky to tell the truth - I haven't heard of quite a lot of those distilleries/brands.

So go on, which one was your favourite?

Well if I could only take a bakers dozen out of that lot to keep for the future they would be the following. Not necessarily becuase they are the absolute top of the tree (some are), but they possess flavour profiles that add variety, or they make a great daily dram and so forth.

Suntory "Hokuto" Pure Malt 12
The Hakushu Single Malt 15YO 56%
The Cask of Yamazaki Heavily Peated 1993 62%
The Cask of Yamazaki Sherry Butt 1990 61%
Nikka From The Barrel
Yoichi 12
Yoichi 20
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1992 # 6978 62.4%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1982 Sherry Butt 20YO # 2510 58.2%
Mars SC 20YO # 618 58%
Ichiro's Malt the Game 2000 9YO 61.2%
Golden Horse Chichibu 12YO 56%
Kirin 20th Anniversary Pure malt 40%

[dramtastic]

Some things turn up in strange places
Was trolling around on the net this arvo and came across the following

http://www.clubdelwhisky.com/tapa3/inde ... =&ucat=50&

That's my list from above, though more stylishly presented . The worldwide web!!

[Willie JJ]

That's my list from above, though more stylishly presented . The worldwide web!!

It is very nicely presented. Have you any idea why they have ripped off your list?

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Courtesy of Babelfish:

"In the last day, the Japanese whisky association presented the list the present whiskies in the Japanese market. This list, composed by 100 whiskey labels, is not all the whiskies that have taken place or they take place there in the Japanese islands, but they treat, of which is today within reach of the consumers in the Japanese market."

Congratulations, dramtastic, for being named "the Japanese whisky association".

[dramtastic]

Courtesy of Babelfish:

"In the last day, the Japanese whisky association presented the list the present whiskies in the Japanese market. This list, composed by 100 whiskey labels, is not all the whiskies that have taken place or they take place there in the Japanese islands, but they treat, of which is today within reach of the consumers in the Japanese market."

Congratulations, dramtastic, for being named "the Japanese whisky association".

Maybe I should make that my signature in the forum! I found that translation on the weekend and although the list was posted in the public domain so could be printed by anyone, obviously some of the other 'facts' are a load of shit. I have emailed this club for a please explain and the offer to clear up any misconseptions. If I don't get a reply it just so happens that I will be in Buenos Aires in March and have found the whisky bar that is the base for this club. Will be droppng in for a dram and a little chat(with the full support of the japanese Whisky Association of course)!

[Marius87]

Not to burst anyone's bubble about Japanese imported products, but the whole radiation scare has a lot of people worldwide thinking twice about consuming japanese beverages and foods... Just something to think about

[Rogerdodger]

Probably only accounts for about one percent of what's been available TT. As for a favorite, I put the same list in whisky tastings over at the magazine forum with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the worthy.

Hi DT. As you know, I'm a recent discoverer of Japanese whiskies, I'd be interested in the wm awards list but I'm too useless to find it! Can you pm me the list or link? Ta

[hikarugenji]

To reply to Marius87:

The question of whether Japanese whisky is still safe to drink or not, is something I've been spending a lot of time dealing with since my return from Japan 5 weeks ago. Having been caught up in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, I saw first-hand how the Japanese dealt with the situation and have been careful to keep in touch with friends and colleagues who are still there (David Croll from Number One Drinks/Whisky Mag Japan and Chris Bunting among others).

The reaction in France has been particularly negative in their reaction to the situation due, I am inclined to think, to the fact that this country relies so heavily on nuclear power and is thus ready to imagine the worst-case scenario. But other countries, too, - due to the over-sensationalist approach of the press, to a lack of understanding of the situation, and also to a failure to grasp the geography of the country - have been quick to panic and come to the conclusion that Japanese whisky has been contaminated and is to be avoided at all costs.

Whilst I do have to admit that I have a vested interest in the continuing success of Japanese whisky (check out my profile, you'll se why), I am fundamentally opposed to such over-reactions. Quite simply, from all the information that I have obtained, the only Japanese whisky that was ever really at risk was Miyagikyo, and even that is now completely safe. Whilst vegetables and dairy products have been proven to be contaminated, whisky is an altogether different animal and cannot be considered in the same way (it doesn't grow outside, or walk around all day in the open air, for example, but aged slowly and surely inside wooden casks, inside warehouses etc.). What I have read in the way of official documentation makes it clear that average levels of radiation - on a a prefecture by prefecture basis - are still actually lower than in, say, France (where not only are natural levels much higher, but there is a much larger number of nuclear power stations). In short, outside of the 30km radius surrounding Fukushima, levels are nowhere near as high as is generally thought. Suntory have conducted tests at Hakushu to ascertain whether the environment and the water sources are safe, Number One Drinks have submitted samples of Chichibu, Hanyu and Karuzawa to laboratories for tests and Nikka have begun to implement the official guidelines as outlined in Regulation 297/2011. All have received positive results. And even if there were a risk that any of these Japanese tests were not conducted appropriately, a second batch of tests, conducted by EU authorities upon reception of the goods in the EU serve to make sure.

In France (where all Nikka whisky initially arrives before being exported elsewhere in Europe), a government department called the DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes), in conjunction with the DPP (Drection de la Protection des Populations), is also carrying out random spot-checks all throughout the country and taking samples away for extra analysis.

So, between what I saw with my own eyes in Japan, and all the above information, I really don't see the need to do anything other than simply stay informed and alert.

If you require further information and want to check out the official texts, then you can find them (or links towards them) on the Number One Drinks Facebook Fan Page and the Japanese Sake & Spirits Society Page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pa ... 5987881099
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pa ... 6951470387

[Rogerdodger]

Thanks for this detailed update, hikarugenji. As a lover of Japanese whiskies, I have been following this situation and the tweets etc by Chris Bunting. I also started a thread a while back highlighting how the Germans are also over-reacting to the "risk" posed by whisky from Japan. This is still the case, I'm afraid. Prices have rocketed but your average punter is not buying. Current stock is being hoovered up (by me too, I admit, as I am unsure as to how guaranteed supply will be/is)

Despite your logic, reassuring numbers and rationale, the reaction is just not rational. It appears the fear of contamination will remain in the face of any amount of evidence to the contrary. It will take a long time to regain the average consumer's confidence. You don't have to try to convince members of this forum (guess we are not representative).

What would interest me is: As an LMDW insider, what effect has this had on your prices, supply and sales?

[hikarugenji]

Hi Rodgerdodger,

Thanks for being so understanding and for taking the time to find hunt out the real facts. What annoys me a lot of the time is the assumption that if you don't agree with the "facts" supplied mainly by the mass-media then you must by pro-nuclear and a blight on the landscape. Personally I've never been a fan of nuclear (I just can't see the need for it in the 21st century, quite apart from the risks it involves) so I can't understand why other people are incapable putting their personal convictions aside and preventing them from getting in the way...

We've sold a lot of Japanese whisky lately, mainly to people who are convinced that it has no future and will soon dry up, or else to people who want to speculate. So far there is no sign of our prices going up, although we will have to wait and see what the cost of all these tests will be. Other than that, we are having to limit our shipments of Nikka to some ten lines at a time, just because the laboratories can't cope with any more than that number of different lot articles at any one time... We're looking to order in greater quantities, bringing in less items at a time, but in much greater volume, but our warehouse is already close to being full so we'll have to do some juggling. All in all, though, we don't see there being any major problems. In fact, if we can just get people to listen to us and let us explain how things are being handled, there is a strong chance we improve the image of Japanese whisky further and regain everyone's confidence... Not something we intended on doing at first, obviously, but we do have to look on the bright side...

[breathecosse]

I have noticed in the last week a few online shops are starting to hike the prices up.
I am about to order a couple of Japanese whiskies and in the last week the 2 bottles have went up 18quid.
May have to have a rethink.

[hikarugenji]

If the prices have gone up that much, it's because they're taking the piss. You're right: you should have a rethink. About buying elsewhere...

[breathecosse]

If the prices have gone up that much, it's because they're taking the piss. You're right: you should have a rethink. About buying elsewhere...

I looked on 4 sites and they have all gone up by about the same.

[hikarugenji]

Out of interest, who are the offenders? None of our prices appear to have gone up, so they are obviously just "responding to demand" or some other bollocks. as just about all the distilleries (miyagikyo included) are now distilling again, I can't think of any other reason. the cost of tests to be carried out at the point of entry into the EU should be around 100 euros per lot, so that should have absolutley no bearing whatsoever on the price once it gets to the shop shelves... anyway, let's name and shame!

[breathecosse]

1 of the bottles was a Miyagikyo 15 yo the other a Yoichi 15yo.
But will not name the shops quite yet.

[pavv]

Here in Holland, the importer of Yamazaki had announced a quite steep increase in price for the Yamazaki 18... But they announced that Pre-tsunami... so not to take advantage of the problems in Japan but just the ordinary variety of greed.... .. prices are heading to above-100 euro levels...

Good thing that I recently was able to purchase a bottle for the cellar at a great price of only 70 euro

[Iain M]

I have noticed in the last week a few online shops are starting to hike the prices up.
I am about to order a couple of Japanese whiskies and in the last week the 2 bottles have went up 18quid.
May have to have a rethink.

It is nothing to do with the shops, suppliers increased prices - Yamazaki by alot. (18 now £100+)

[hikarugenji]

Well, that'll be Suntory, then. We handle Nikka for all of Europe and they have gone up that much. No news of Number One Drinks going up either (we handle their products for France also)...

[breathecosse]

It is nothing to do with the shops, suppliers increased prices - Yamazaki by alot. (18 now £100+)

I'm glad i got my yamaziki 18 when i did. I notice it has taken a big leap.