Yamazaki 'must-have' whisky turns 100 as global demand soars

Whisky vs Whiskey.... all a matter of personal choice. For far too long, here in Japan, the Japanese people considered anything "expensive" to be good or great, even when it wasn't.

Yamazaki is decent, but to me, it will never hold a candle to McClelland’s

I started off liking whiskey when I first had a sip of Yamazaki that I had at a nomikai (not my money). After getting interested in whiskey, I started to learn just how expensive Japanese whiskey is compared to say scotch or Irish (imported). I still love the distinct taste of Yamazaki or Hakushu, but the price points are keeping me from buying them. Same with Ichiro's malt.

Whisky is what they make in Scotland, Canada, Japan and most other places that produce this type of distilled liquor.

Whiskey is what they make in the US and Ireland, probably because it was the Irish who took the distilling process to the US; though some US distillers do call their product whisky. In fact the US best seller last year according to Drinks International is Maker's Mark; a quick look at the label tells us it's whisky.

Bowmore is my personal favourite, though I won't turn my nose up at a good Japanese whisky.

https://www.gobourbon.com/top-10-best-selling-american-whiskey-brands-of-2022-by-drinks-international/

The demand truly is insane....few years back you could buy a bottle of Yamazaki single malt at most combinis. Nowadays can,t find it anywhere.

Yamazaki is decent, but to me, it will never hold a candle to McClelland’s

I think this is the point:

Yamazaki's layered and well-balanced flavours are considered a good match for Japanese cuisine, Fujii said.

I found Yamazaki okay but a bit boring and bland but I don’t drink whisky with food. The taste isn’t remarkable. I know many beer drinkers say the same about the mass produced Japanese beer - the taste isn’t overpowering.

I suppose ‘delicate’ can mean ‘bland’ for some.

In winter I don’t want delicate from whisky. A Laphroig 10 will warm you up.

.

Mostly, it is social media that excites consumers. I've been to the Nikka distillery three times. It's a great trip and the whiskey is very good. For sippin' I prefer a Scotch or a Nikka and from time to time I do a bourbon. But, in the long run, I enjoy a west coast IPA.

Are there any votes for the smoky rich peat finish of Teacher's Highland Cream...?

Laphroaig,Bruillaladich,any Islay or Jura malts.

The taste of whisky isn’t one that I’ve been able to quite get into yet. Last time I tried it was probably about six years ago in a small basement bar and restaurant. Haven’t tried Japanese whisky. For something to warm me up, I prefer green Chartreuse.

Japanese whisky is good, that’s true, but I prefer scotch. Big fan of Glen Garioch myself.

Japan's deindustrialization and tech decline are paving the way for the rise of a services-based economy or subcontracting.

Japan better maintains a niche brand of premium goods before China and other countries develop their own premium brands. China's Moutai has been increasingly popular in recent years, and it's merely a fraction of what China can and will do in the world of premium wines.

Are there any votes for the smoky rich peat finish of Teacher's Highland Cream...?

Yes. Very decent and excellent value for money. Better than some costing double the price.

I always think of Christmas with Teachers along with a bottle of Baileys.

A question here. How do you all like your whisky? Neat? A splash of water? Rocks? For me it’s a splash of water… unless it’s bad and then I’ll top it up with dry.

A question here. How do you all like your whisky? Neat? A splash of water? Rocks? For me it’s a splash of water… unless it’s bad and then I’ll top it up with dry

Usually straight for me. I did get a bottle of 60-odd percent cask-strength one time and had to put ice in that. Had a hell of an edge.

unless it’s bad

Oh yes.

I remember drinking Tory’s in a cheap Shinbashi izakaya. I liked the honesty of it - straight out of the big plastic bottle. The Shochu was just turps.

You want to drown them in something.

I’d just add a cheeky shot in a cup of tea in winter can be nice.

Maybe a British thing.

Drinks?

My favorite = Britta Filtered Water.

Another ? Soya Milk.

Another? Kiwi jJuice.

Another?

Rain!

So fresh!!

So delicious!!!

But...not in Japan!!!!

Laphroaig, Bruillaladich, any Islay or Jura malts.

Those are my favorites.

A Laphroig 10 will warm you up.

You can't beat the taste of tarmac. :-)

You can't beat the taste of tarmac. :-

With TCP notes.

Heavenly.

Heavenly.

Yeah man. Laphroaig is the one that really got me into whisky more than any other.

Whisky is what they make in Scotland, Canada, Japan and most other places that produce this type of distilled liquor.

Really? Tell that to Seagram's Canadian Whiskey. Seems to me they didnt get your "memo".

A question here. How do you all like your whisky? Neat? A splash of water? Rocks? For me it’s a splash of water… unless it’s bad and then I’ll top it up with dry.

This is based on the knowledge of those that make it: if it’s a single malt and from the Highlands or Islands, never straight, and certainly never with ice. Take a separate pitcher of iced water, and add (the water only) according to taste. Been to plenty of distilleries in Scotland and they all said the same. I’m a big fan of anything from Islay, but my favourite is Talisker from Skye.

Really? Tell that to Seagram's Canadian Whiskey. Seems to me they didnt get your "memo".

It’s just a generalized naming convention. Like everything, there are exceptions.

This is based on the knowledge of those that make it: if it’s a single malt and from the Highlands or Islands, never straight, and certainly never with ice. Take a separate pitcher of iced water, and add (the water only) according to taste.

Yeah I’ve heard that, and it’s generally what I do. A dash of water seems to bring out the flavor and aroma a little, but I know some people who love the highballs and ruin every whisky they pour. To each their own.

Tell that to Seagram's Canadian Whiskey. Seems to me they didnt get your "memo".

I don’t remember sending out a “memo”…. Maybe the original Mr. Seagram was of Irish ancestry? As the sleepy one says, there are always exceptions.

A visit to the Yamazaki distillery is essential for any Whisky lover! A booking online is required, but it is free. They have tastings of most of their range starting from 100yen a dram for the non-aged stuff, up to 900yen for the 18 year. And from memory 2000 yen for the 25 year example.

You may not find these in the shops - or be able to afford them - so the tastings are great value! Miyagikyo distillery in Miyagi-ken has a similar set-up and is also great.

They are all lovely to my palate - but the 12 year was my favourite.

I’ve had all the Yamazaki expressions ; bottles and tastings.

The 18 year old is possibly the best though not accessible for the majority of people due to price

The 25 year old is sublime and it’s like drinking a history book

The most bottle for the buck is the ‘Old Suntory’ around ¥2000 a bottle and supply is good