Do you know what are the differences between japanese and scotch whisky or other whiskies ? We propose to review the specificity of japanese whisky and explain why it's now considered as one of the best in the world.
Wagashi and Nikka Coffey Malt : the greedy marriage
To celebrate the launch of its latest whisky, the atypical Coffey Malt, Nikka has partnered with Walaku a traditional japanese pastry shop located in Paris, to offer two sweet creations typically japanese and subtly married with the new single malt of the range. We had the pleasure to taste them, the result is especially delicious and very surprising !
Tasting the Suntory Hibiki 17 year old
The Suntory Hibiki is probably the most famous japanese blend, but especially one of the most rewarded with no fewer than five gold medals won at international competitions, just for this 17 year old version that I propose you to discover.
Limited edition of the Hibiki 21 year old Mount Fuji
Suntory unveiled a limited edition of its Hibiki 21 years in his famous bottle specially redecorated for the occasion.
Togouchi, the naturalized japanese whisky
If you are a fan of japanese whisky you may have already heard of the mysterious Togouchi, a blend from Japan available in 12 and 18 year old, and there isn't much more information about it. But why is it a naturalized whisky?
Suntory buys Beam and becomes the third larger distiller
The Japanese group Suntory, one of the biggest brand of Japanese whisky, known to be the owner Yamazaki, the historic first whisky distillery in Japan, has announced the future acquisition of U.S. spirits group Beam for 16 billion dollars (including Beam group's debt).
Single malt Chichibu “On the Way”
Today a new japanese whisky is unveiled, the single malt Chichibu "On the Way". Ichiro Akuto releases the first 5 year old of his distillery founded in 2008 at the foot of a mountain in the region of Saitama single malt. This whisky is (currently) the oldest one produced in Chichibu, which is gaining in quality and maturity each year.
Tasting of the Yamazaki 25 year old single malt
Exceptional whisky, the Suntory Yamazaki 25 year old is the epitome of the art of japanese whisky. It was during our visit to the Yamazaki distillery in april that we could taste for the first time this legendary single malt.
Single cask Karuizawa 1999-2013 : “The Last Bottling”
The single cask Karuizawa 1999-2013 "The Last Bottling" bottled for Isetan has recently been unveiled in Japan, creating a slight panic among fans of japanese whisky, spreading the idea that this could be the last Karuizawa whisky. Fortunately this is not the case ...
Tasting of the Yamazaki Heavily Peated 2013
Edition limited to 3500 bottles, the Yamazaki Heavily Peated 2013 is a highly peated version of the famous single malt Suntory. A first edition also non-aged output in 2012 was a huge success, just like those of Hakushu. Unfortunately only available in Japan and these limited versions are nevertheless high quality whiskies that could attract many european fans of japanese whisky.
The Nikka Blender’s bar in Tokyo
If you are visiting Tokyo for your holidays and you are a japanese whisky addict, the Nikka Blender's Bar is the place where you can enjoy the full range of Nikka. You will have the choice between all Taketsuru versions including the exclusives 25 and 35 years old, Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts including several single casks, all the blended whiskies offered by the brand and an assortment of single malts classified according to their flavor profiles; the Key malts.
Sparkling and fresh, the japanese whisky highball !
You may be wondering what is a highball ? Despite what you might think, it's indeed a beverage considered as a cocktail. Alcohol, lot of ice and a soft drink are the basic ingredients of a highball. In this article you will discover the most famous one made with whisky which was Japan's most popular mode of consumption during the japanese whisky golden age from the late 50's to early 80's, and recently returned on the front of the stage thanks to Nikka and Suntory.
The International Spirits Challenge 2013 results for Japanese whiskies
Like every year, all the alcohol companies throughout the world have the opportunity to participate in one of the most authoritative and respected spirits competition, the International Spirits Challenge. The first results of the 2013 edition have just been announced and the Japanese whiskies once again harvest a nice collection of gold medals.
Osaka trip 2013 cask #01
Distilled the last weekend of april and matured for more than a month, here's a small photo album of our trip to Osaka. In our cask #01 a selection of exclusive, rare or vintage bottles that we could see, taste or buy during our stay.
The Hakushu Heavily Peated is back !
One year after its first edition, Suntory announced the release on July 2 of the Hakushu Heavily Peated 2013 !
Ichiro’s malt Chichibu Port Pipe
Young and small, Chichibu distillery produces mature whiskies despite of their young age. Port Pipe is no exception to the rule, and it's very intriguing with its pink color!
Suntory celebrates french father’s day
During the french Father's Day Suntory will present a special package for the new Hibiki 12 years bottle of 500 ml, and all whiskies will be sold wrapped in beautiful japanese foulards.
A new grain whisky for Hakushu !
Today Suntory officially announced the start of grain whisky production in the Hakushu distillery. Located in the southern Japanese Alps, at the foot of mount Kaikomagatake, it's the Suntory second distillery and it produces the famous single malt Hakushu.
Tasting of the White Oak Tokinoka
Japanese whisky is not only Suntory or Nikka, there are many other less known distilleries whose reputation continues to grow. And for this new tasting, we chose a blended malt (a blend of several single malt), the White Oak Tokinoka blended malt.
Spray your Suntory Hibiki 12 year old !
A new way to consume japanese whisky : the Hibiki 12 year old spray! Suntory created for its events around whisky a nice little spray version of his famous blend.
Karuizawa 1960, the oldest japanese whisky in the world !
During the Whisky Live Tokyo 2013 Number One Drinks officially presented the oldest and rarest japanese whisky ever bottled a 53 years old single cask, the Karuizawa 1960! The launch party was held on april 21 at the Belle Salle Shibuya Garden in Tokyo.
The japanese cherry blossom time : the hanami
The hanami (花 见) which means "admiring flowers," is a japanese tradition that takes place every year in late march to late april when fruit trees are flowering. The most famous hanami is the cherry (sakura 桜) one, which celebrates the arrival of spring.
What difference between whisky and whiskey?
Should I write "whisky" or "whiskey"? And besides, is there a real difference between whisky and whiskey? That is the question…
How would you like your japanese whisky ?
Everybody knows the two most famous way to drink whisky, "straight" pure and "on the rocks" with ice. But have you ever heard of highball, "ice ball" or mizuwari?
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
For our second tasting, we will totally change universe with the discovery of a single grain : the Nikka Coffey Grain.
Focus on whisky coloration
Is there something more attractive than a nice amber whisky? Such a delicate colour can only be the result of a long cask maturation… Well, in fact, not necessarily.
Karuizawa 1964 world premiere video
Wealth Solutions (a polish investments group) presented their last exclusive investment : the Karuizawa 1964.
World Whiskies Awards 2013 results : Suntory and Hombo Shuzo rewarded
This year two of the six awards from WWA 2013, for World Whiskies Awards (organized by WhiskyMagazine), have been attributed to Japanese whiskies! The World's best blended whisky 2013 for the Suntory Hibiki 21 years and the World's best blended malt whisky 2013 for the Hombo Shuzo Mars Maltage "3plus25" 28 years.
Opening of Japanese-Whisky.com
The website is accessible since a few days and you're already fifty daily visitors, yet it’s only today that Japanese-Whisky.com is officially launched !
Karuizawa Tokyo International Bar Show 2012
First tasting for Japanese-whisky.com, and actually for us the very first tasting of a Karuizawa ! It will be the Karuizawa Tokyo International Bar Show 2012.
Japanese whisky around the world
Japanese whisky continues to expand its reputation around the world. Plaza de España, in the historic district of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) in the restaurant Pat'e Palo you can enjoy Nikka "From The Barrel"!
A brand new Japanese whisky for 2015 !
In Okayama Prefecture (southwest Japan) near the Asahi river, Miyashita Sake Brewery decided to launch the production of whisky to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the brewery.
A japanese whisky caramel cream !
NeoBento restaurant in Paris called upon Uisuki to develop a dessert with Japanese whisky. Here comes the exclusive Nikka whisky "From the barrel" caramel cream !
Vintage ad #3 : Orson Welles for Nikka
Nikka has its own set of advertisements a litlle bit vintage with American stars, including director, actor and author Orson Welles.
Vintage ad #2 : Sammy Davies Jr for Suntory
Back in 1974 in the disco, Suntory uses Sammy Davis Jr to promote his whisky !
Vintage ad #1 : Sean Connery for Suntory
Discover with our "vintage ad" how Japanese promote their whiskies !
Ads shifted, sometimes vanguardist and especially humorous Japanese.
Frankly, are you tempted by drinking a good Japanese whisky in a big drafty house full of dark, with only Sean Connery and his doberman ?
Nikka whisky lamb by Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec
Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec est un artisan boucher français spécialiste de la maturation de la viande. Après avoir maturé pendant 40 jours une côte de boeuf au whisky Nikka Pure malt White en 2010, le fameux boucher d'Asnières remet ça avec cette fois un gigot d'agneau maturé au whisky Nikka Pure malt Black
