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Whisky • 12 min • 28.11.2023
9 Best Japanese Whiskies: From Tradition to Innovation
Japanese whisky was first produced in 1923 at Suntory's Yamazaki distillery, which adopted traditional techniques from Scotland. In recent years, Japanese whisky makers have introduced various innovative techniques, such as using Coffey stills and Mizunara oak casks which somehow break traditions to achieve the highly sought-after whiskies that we know and love today.
When it comes to Japanese whisky tasting notes, it tends to be drier, smokier, and peatier, more similar to Scotch, except it doesn't have a single flavour profile.
Japanese whisky has come a long way since the early 20th century. Today, it's recognised as some of the best whiskies in the world by keeping its artisan craftsmanship paired with modern applications.
A Quick Look at Our Top 9 Japanese Whiskies
- Yamazaki 12 Year - Best overall
- Suntory Kakubin - Best for whisky cocktails
- Suntory Toki - Best for highballs
- Hakushu 12 Year - Best single malt for beginners
- Akashi White Oak "Black" - Best budget for beginner enthusiasts
- Nikka from the Barrel - Best for high-proof lovers
- Mars Maltage Cosmo - Best under $150
- Hibiki Japanese Harmony 17 Year - Best blended Japanese whisky
- Yamazaki 18 Year - Connoisseur's top pick
Do you prefer your malts single? Check out our top 12 single malt whiskies
1. Best overall
- Price
$370 - $425
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
The Yamazaki 12 year, a standout among the best Japanese whiskies, is Suntory's flagship from Japan's oldest malt distillery. Launched in 1984, it spearheaded the promotion of Japanese single malts globally. This whisky is acclaimed for its smoothness and rich flavor, making it a top choice for both beginners and aficionados. Crafted from whiskies aged at least 12 years in oak casks, resulting in a complex flavour profile.
Yamazaki 12 has clinched several awards, including SWSC Gold in 2014, cementing its status as a strong contender on any "Best Japanese Whisky" list.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Notes of tropical fruits and mild citrus with hints of oak
- Palate
Soft with mild tropical fruit sweetness that develops into a citrus body
- Finish
Medium length with a mild citrus aftertaste
2. Best for whisky cocktails
- Price
$65 - $80
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
40%
Brief overview
Suntory Kakubin, a staple among the best Japanese whiskey brands since 1937, is renowned for its smooth, mellow taste, making it a popular and good Japanese whiskey choice. This entry-level whisky from the acclaimed Suntory Distillery is easy to drink and highly versatile, especially as a base for whisky cocktails.
Known colloquially as "Kakubin," a nod to its distinctive square bottle, this premium whisky stands out in the category of best cheap Japanese whiskey, offering quality and tradition in every sip.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Hints of citrus, green apple, and hazelnut
- Palate
Honeyed popcorn and toasted nuts
- Finish
Dry and hay-like
3. Best for highballs
- Price
$88 - $130
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
Suntory Toki, a relatively new addition to the best Japanese whiskey brands, is another offering from the esteemed Suntory company. Launched in 2016, it quickly gained traction as a good Japanese whiskey, thanks to its innovative blend of malt and grain whiskies from the renowned Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries.
Toki is celebrated for its smooth and subtle flavor profile. It's a versatile choice, from sipping neat to Japanese whiskey cocktails. Designed to be approachable and adaptable, Toki appeals to a wide range of palates, making it a top choice for beginners and aficionados alike.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Honey, soft orchard fruits, and fresh herbs
- Palate
Green apple and notes of bright citrus complete with toasted nuts
- Finish
Long spiced finish
4. Best single malt for beginners
- Price
$350 - $450
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
Hakushu 12 Year, a top Japanese single malt whisky, is a distinguished creation of the Suntory company from the Hakushu distillery in Japan. Renowned for being one of the best Japanese whiskies, it is crafted using water from the Ojira River, famed as the world's purest, flowing through a forest in the Japanese Southern Alps. Hakushu's aging process involves American and Spanish oak, with a final touch in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, endowing it with a complex and nuanced taste.
Over the years, Hakushu 12 Year has garnered numerous accolades, including a coveted gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2013, further solidifying its position among the best Japanese whisky brands.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Dried grass, toasted barley, and hints of charred wood
- Palate
Fruit-forward, slightly herbaceous, with a waft of smoke
- Finish
Short but enjoyable
5. Best budget Japanese whisky
- Price
$65 - $88
- Distiller
White Oak
- ABV
40%
Brief overview
Akashi White Oak is unique in the best Japanese whisky category, as it's crafted by a Toji using sake-making techniques in the whisky process. Its smaller distillation pot, unlike those in other Scottish and Japanese whisky distilleries, leads to lower fusel alcohol levels, allowing Akashi whisky to achieve a smooth and delicate core malt without extensive aging.
Akashi White Oak "Black" stands out as a blended Japanese whisky, aged for three years in Japanese Shochu casks of American oak, then in ex-bourbon casks, and finally for two years in ex-sherry casks. This distinctive aging process contributes to its position as a top choice among the best Japanese whiskies.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Mild hints of chocolate, lemongrass, and spiced rye
- Palate
Touch of sweet cereal and hints of black pepper
- Finish
Medium length, slightly sweet aftertaste
6. Best for high-proof lovers
- Price
$95 - $112
- Distiller
Nikka
- ABV
51.4%
Brief overview
Nikka From the Barrel, a standout among the best Japanese whisky brands, is a blend of selected malt and grain whiskies. This offering from Nikka is crafted to deliver a full-bodied and flavorful taste, capturing the essence straight from the barrel. To ensure stability and balance in the blend, the whisky undergoes a "marriage" process in used casks for three to six months.
The bottle's unique short, square design symbolizes "a small block of whisky," aptly reflecting the potency and robustness of its contents, making it a top choice for those seeking the best Japanese whiskies.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Notes of fresh fruits, charred wood, and spices
- Palate
Rich and full-bodied, with hints of caramel, toffee, and vanilla
- Finish
Long and warm leaving a slight oaken spice
7. Best under $150
- Price
$120 - $188
- Distiller
Mars Distilleries
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
The Mars Maltage "Cosmo," a notable entry in the category of top Japanese whisky, is a blended malt that merges whiskies from Shinshu and Tsunuki distilleries, achieving a complex and deep flavor profile. The brand name "Yue One Hundred" originates from "Kosumoyama," a mountain linked to the central Alps, whose nickname "Yue" echoes "Cosmo," signifying the universe.
This connection is elegantly captured in the label design, which features a depiction of the night sky as seen from the Mars Shinshu distillery, adding to its appeal as one of the best Japanese whiskies for aficionados and beginners alike.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Notes of fresh fruits, vanilla, and tree nuts
- Palate
Hints of orange, mild dark chocolate, and oaky spices
- Finish
Medium length with lingering hints of chocolate
8. Best Japanese blended whisky
- Price
$1,870 - $1,980
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
Hibiki 17, a top Japanese whisky and a premium offering from Suntory, exemplifies the concept of "resonance" in Japanese culture, resonating with the soul and emotions of discerning whisky enthusiasts. This exquisite blended whisky, a standout among the best Japanese whiskies, is crafted using single malts from the renowned Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, including some aged in rare Japanese oak.
These elements combine to make Hibiki 17 not just a special, but a highly coveted whisky, affirming its status in the realm of high-end Japanese whiskey.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Notes of fresh fruits and mild citrus
- Palate
Hints of vanilla, mild toffee, and oaky spices
- Finish
Medium length with a sweet fruity aftertaste
9. Best Japanese whisky for connoiseurs
- Price
$2,700 - $3,450
- Distiller
House of Suntory
- ABV
43%
Brief overview
Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Years, a top-rated Japanese single malt whisky from Suntory's oldest distillery, has garnered numerous awards since its 1992 release. Primarily aged in sherry butts, with the remainder in Mizunara and American oak casks, this blend offers a magnificent array of fruit, oak, and smoky flavors.
Its excellence is reflected in its many accolades, solidifying its status as one of the best Japanese whiskies.
Experience and Flavours
- Nose
Notes of Oloroso sherry, potpourri, and hints of bitter marmalade
- Palate
Rich mouthfeel, hints of dark fruits, honey, and toffee
- Finish
Long finish with lasting fruitiness
Sayonora to the Best Japanese Whisky
Ultimately, the array of whiskies mentioned above suggests that the Japanese whisky business has an extensive history of culture and innovation. Each distillery, from the historic and well-established Suntory and Nikka brands to the up-and-coming Mars and White Oak, offers a unique take on Japanese whisky distilling.
These whiskies emphasise the artistry and expertise of Japanese whisky makers who integrate centuries-old traditions with modern procedures to create remarkable whiskies that are gaining appreciation throughout the world. The price of some might deter the average whisky drinker, but there are a lot of new and entry-level Japanese whisky brands that are still made with the right amount of care and attention that will surely tickle the tastebuds.
Superb whiskies for true aficionados
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