The 10 Best Japanese Whiskies!  Let’s Enjoy the Taste of Japanese Whiskies!

Japanese meal

What I will introduce you today is Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky is defined as a whisky that is made in Japan and it is one of the world’s 5 whiskies along with Scottish, Irish, American and Canadian whiskies.

Since it comes in a wide range – from lightly flavored one with a slight note of smoke which you can drink casually to one that is very rich in aroma, I’m sure that you will find what you like. Many Japanese brands’ whiskies are mild and pleasant to the plate and for that reason, they go very well with food, too.

1.SUNTORY KAKUBIN

Suntory developed it, hoping to make a whisky that is as good as Scotch whiskies, and it is now a Suntory’s long-selling whisky.

It’s good when you drink it as highball with tonic water.

If you are trying Japanese whiskies for the first time, it is an excellent choice to start.

SUNTORY KAKUBIN

2.SUNTORY HIBIKI “JAPANESE HARMONY”

This whisky comes in a lovely solid decanter with luxurious feel.

I personally like this whisky very much and often enjoy it when I dine out.

It has a smooth mouthfeel and therefore, is easily drinkable. It has a very refined taste which would satisfy connoisseurs but it will also be an excellent starting point for those wishing to explore Japanese whiskies. Its vintage lineup is also popular.

SUNTORY HIBIKI “JAPANESE HARMONY”

3.SUNTORY WORLD WHISKIY AO

Suntory blended the world’s 5 unblended whiskies – Irish, Scottish, American, Canadian and Japanese whiskies to make this brand.

You can feel the distinct character of each one when you enjoy this whisky. As you open up the bottle, glamorous vanilla and fruity aroma rises, followed by toffee and wood note.

On the palate, it has rich and sweet texture. It also has lovely hints of spice with cinnamon and oak to finish – making it a unique whisky with lovely aromatics.

SUNTORY WORLD WHISKIY AO

4.SUNTORY CHITA

It’s a Japanese whisky with beautiful light golden color.

Faintly sweet aroma and light flavor are part of its charm.

Since it is mild and pleasant to the taste, making it easy to drink, it is recommended if you are about to try Japanese whiskies.

It goes very well with Japanese food with delicate taste as its character does not stand out too much.

SUNTORY CHITA

5.SUNTORY YAMAZAKI 12 YEARS

From its series of beautifully amber-colored whiskies, I picked up the 12-year YAMAZAKI.

With its glamorous aroma and sweet and mild flavor, it not only is one of the best Japanese whiskies, but it also is among the highly-rated whiskies in the world.

Other vintage YAMAZAKI whiskies are also popular.

SUNTORY YAMAZAKI 12 YEARS

6.NIKKA COFFEY GRAIN WHISKY

Pleasant aroma of baked cookies, chocolate and custard cream rises as you open up this Japanese whisky bottle.

You can enjoy its pleasantly light and airy texture with a taste of honey.

It’s recommended to sip this neat but you can also mix it with various kinds of liquors to make a cocktail.

NIKKA COFFEY GRAIN WHISKY

7.NIKKA SINGLE MALT YOICHI

It is a palatable Japanese whisky with soft and creamy texture with full-bodied note.

You can enjoy its sweet and smoky aroma, coming from the cask, and rich sweetness of fruit. I recommend you sip this neat or on the rocks to fully enjoy its rich and creamy flavor.

NIKKA SINGLE MALT YOICHI

8.NIKKA WHISKY MIYAGIKYO

It’s a whisky made in the mountain area in northern Japan called Tohoku.

Its refined taste is a result of being slowly matured in the woods with soft water from the mountains.

It has an aroma of apple and pear with its texture, smooth like silk. On the palate, it gives away sweetness of vanilla coming from the cask, all in a harmony.

NIKKA WHISKY MIYAGIKYO

9.KIRIN FUJI-SANROKU SIGNATURE BLEND

Underflow water from Mt. Fuji is used, making its taste very clear.

The aromatics on this whisky are sweet with fruit, brown sugar and caramel and it has sweetness like maple syrup.

You will also feel delicate smoke coming from peat. Its high percentage of alcohol (50%) is ensuring robust feel.

KIRIN FUJI-SANROKU SIGNATURE BLEND

10.KIRIN SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY

It is made in beautiful nature, surrounded by woods with abundant water.

You will find Mt. Fuji engraved into the bottom glass of the bottle.

It offers a light and airy taste and has a dried fruit note that you would find in baked sweets with pears or apples along with grainy smell of rye bread and spiciness of cinnamon.

It’s recommended to have it on the rocks or sip and savor neat.

KIRIN SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY

Japanese to english translation = Tomoko Sakamoto

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