270 Japanese whiskies and counting

[dramtastic]

I have also noticed that the price of both Yama 18 and Hakushu 18 have gone up quite steeply in the UK. Bare in mind though that these sell in the Yen18000-19000 range in most stores in Japan which is the equivalent of Euro150-160 and have done for years. Even dutyfree at Narita Airport Yama 18 is still Euro125.
So maybe this is a case of Suntory bringing European prices closer in line to domestic ones for these items.
Point to note, the Yama Puncheon NAS and Hakushu Heavily Peated NAS prices seem to have remained same. These sell for half the price of the 2 18YO's in Japan so possibly starts to make sense.

[dramtastic]

Well after 3 years and 200 Japanese whiskies thought I would list the top 25 so far I'd always like to have in the cabinet. Some brilliant one's may not make the list as I would being looking for a balance of profiles. I've also realised that even though I keep tastng more and more the one's I found great at the start have still kept that status.

Suntory “Hokuto” Pure Malt 12(most likely a Hakushu)
Suntory 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%
Hibiki 21
The Cask of Yamazaki 1993 Heavily Peated #3Q70047 62%
The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt #ON70646 61%
Suntory Owners Cask Bar Hermit Private Stock Yamazaki 1996 Sherry Butt 13YO #AX70004 60%
Miyagikyo Single Cask 1996 16YO Sherry Cask 60% #118913
Nikka From The Barrel 51.4%
Yoichi 12
Yoichi 20 52%
Taketsuru Pure Malt 35YO
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Yoichi 12 58%
Yoichi Single Cask 1988 23% #100129 Warehouse 15 61%
Karuizawa 1992 #6978 62.8%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1982 20YO Sherry Butt # 2510 58.2%
Mars Malt Gallery Single Cask #0323-158 1985 20YO 58%
Mars Moltage 3 and 25 28YO 46%
Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1989 23YO 63.5% Cognac Limousin Cask #1060
Ichiro’s Malt The Game 2000 9YO 61.2%
Golden Horse Chichibu 12YO 56%
Ichiro’s Malt SC for Takashimaya 1991 18YO 46.5%
Ichiro's Malt 9 of Clubs Bourbon Barrel 1991 20YO 57.3%
Kirin 20th Anniversary Pure Malt 40%

Of course I have a number of unopened bottles/samples I've yet to try and off to Singapore next month where I can try buy/try a number of newbies so list may be updated after that,

[Peat Sampras]

This is helpful, Dramtastic. I've been eyeballing some Japanese whiskies but never knew where to start in the first place...
Ta.

[solera]

Well after 3 years and 200 Japanese whiskies thought I would list the top 20 so far I'd always like to have in the cabinet. Some brilliant one's may not make the list as I would being looking for a balance of profiles. I've also realised that even though I keep tastng more and more the one's I found great at the start have still kept that status.

Suntory “Hokuto” Pure Malt 12(most likely a Hakushu)
Suntory The Hakushu SM Aged 15 Years 56%
Hibiki 21
The Cask of Yamazaki 1993 Heavily Peated #3Q70047 62%
The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt #ON70646 61%
Suntory Owners Cask Bar Hermit Private Stock Yamazaki 1996 Sherry Butt 13YO #AX70004 60%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Miyagikyo 12 58%
Nikka From The Barrel 51.4%
Yoichi 12
Yoichi 20 52%
Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection Yoichi 12 58%
Karuizawa 1992 #6978 62.8%
Karuizawa Vintage Cask 1982 20YO Sherry Butt # 2510 58.2%
Mars Malt Gallery Single Cask #0323-158 1985 20YO 58%
Mars Moltage 3 and 25 28YO 46%
Ichiro’s Malt The Game 2000 9YO 61.2%
Golden Horse Chichibu 12YO 56%
Ichiro’s Malt SC for Takashimaya 1991 18YO 46.5%
Ichiro's Malt 9 of Clubs Bourbon Barrel 1991 20YO 57.3%
Kirin 20th Anniversary Pure Malt 40%

Of course I have a number of unopened bottles/samples I've yet to try and off to Singapore next month where I can try buy/try a number of newbies so list may be updated after that,

How do you rate the Nikka Taketsuru 17 yr old I bought yesterday? Waits with bated breath!

[dramtastic]

Solid whisky that I'd buy another bottle of(a lot cheaper in Japan though at around GBP35). I actually prefer the nose on the 17 to the 21 that won worlds best blended malt at the WWA's this year. At the very least it will have that Japanese something that's makes it a bit different to Scottish stuff, so if your not used to it at the very least it should be interesting.

[solera]

Solid whisky that I'd buy another bottle of(a lot cheaper in Japan though at around GBP35). I actually prefer the nose on the 17 to the 21 that won worlds best blended malt at the WWA's this year. At the very least it will have that Japanese something that's makes it a bit different to Scottish stuff, so if your not used to it at the very least it should be interesting.

That's good enough for me, thanks. Big fan of Nikka WFTB which I always have open so high hopes for the Taketsuru!

[Pudge72]

I have also noticed that the price of both Yama 18 and Hakushu 18 have gone up quite steeply in the UK. Bare in mind though that these sell in the Yen18000-19000 range in most stores in Japan which is the equivalent of Euro150-160 and have done for years. Even dutyfree at Narita Airport Yama 18 is still Euro125.
So maybe this is a case of Suntory bringing European prices closer in line to domestic ones for these items.
Point to note, the Yama Puncheon NAS and Hakushu Heavily Peated NAS prices seem to have remained same. These sell for half the price of the 2 18YO's in Japan so possibly starts to make sense.

I feel quite lucky to have found, and purchased, the Yamazaki 18 at Binny's for US$90!! There do not appear to be many Japanese bottlings in North America in general, so that may be why the price seems to be relatively so low as the demand for Japanese whisky may not be there in general at this point. Can't wait to open the Yama 18, though I would like to finish off some bottles before doing so.

[dramtastic]

If I could get it for $90 it would be a staple.

[C57]

DT, I don't think you need a staple given the number of bottles you get at such great prices - and how many of them are open

[dramtastic]

Yeh I might have a few open Nick but I'm also up to a record high of 30 closed(for retirement).

[ColSanders]

Just found a supplier to get it for $103 and I thought I was doing damn good...

stupid blue laws...