This doesn't mean I won't talk any less about bourbon or rye but the blog will have to share space with other great selections.
Back in 2011 I picked up my first two Japanese whiskies; Yamazaki 12 and 18 year. The 12 year is a very solid pour but the 18 year is quite stellar. Both of these were easily found back then but now, forget about it. In two short years Japanese whisky has really taken off and I know this because my fellow bourbon enthusiasts are all over Japanese whisky and it's getting very difficult to find any Japanese selection on the shelves. 
This year while attending Julio's Go Whiskey Weekend, I picked up two more selections; Hibiki 12 year and Nikka Yoichi 15 year. A couple months ago K&L Wines offered two different Karuizawa expression. Interesting note that the Karuizawa has never been sold in the U.S. and K&L is the first to get two single barrels with one at 12 years old and the other about 30 years old. I picked up two of the 12 year old and expect them to arrive sometime in August. A couple weeks back a buddy of mine from Texas picked up two Suntory Hakashu 12 year for me.In future posts, I'll do an Exam-o-Dram on each of these expressions. Just as a heads up, I'm digging every one of these.
My trip to Japan made me a Japanese whisky fan as well. We toured the Yamazaki distillery, first distillery built in Japan. Tour was in Japanese but they had audio in English to follow along. Process of course was familiar but what surprised me is that they age in 4-5 different sized barrels, some as small as our 53 gallon and going up to massive 132 gallon barrels from sherry butts to puncheons (American oak), to "Mizunara" produced from Japanese oak in Japan. Loved the Yamazaki 18, 12 was easy to find all over and soft on the wallet so enjoyed that frequently. Hakushu Nikka was my favorite though. The 15yr single malt Yoichi was great and had a little bit of salinity to it. Also tried the 10yr and 20yr which were tasty but found 15yr more common. Tried Super Nikka at a friend's mum's bar in Osaka. Pretty simple stuff and price was right (she wouldn't let us pay no matter what we said. Also served us horse meat which was...awesome). Also got to try Miyagikyo 12yr which was great stuff. All in all I was surprised how much I enjoyed Japanese whiskey on my trip. Also enjoyed many other American whiskeys produced for Japan only (various versions of I.W. Harper, Four Roses Black, Rebecca 10yr(??)) and even tried a Maker's Mark 101proof.
ReplyDeleteStrongly recommend a visit to Japan if you have any interest to do so. It was one of the best vacations, if not the best, I've ever taken. I'm telling myself I need to blog it but I think my blogging days are numbered. I just leave really long comments on other blogs instead (hahaha sorry!).
Steve - awesome you were able to visit Japan and try some of those expressions. I'm seriously thinking of visiting Japan at some point with the intent of doing some distillery tours. My first "whisk(e)y" trip will hopefully be Ireland and Scotland next year. I would like to do 10 days between the two and get in a half dozen or more tours.
DeleteI bought the Nikka Yoichi 15 this past Feb but haven't opened it yet but when I tried it back then I thought it was wonderful so of course had to grab at least one bottle.
Just had the Nikka Yoichi again last week in Vegas. Great stuff. Highly recommend a Japan trip. It was the best vacation I've ever been on.
ReplyDeleteI found a place near me with a couple of Yamazaki 18s for the not-so-impressive price of $129. Elsewhere I've seen them close to $200, which is just nuts. What prices have you seen? Should I buy this or can you find it for less?
ReplyDeleteI really like the Yamazaki 18, and the 12 for the that matter. I picked up a 12 year the other day for $60. I remember when the 12 about $45 or so. The 18 year at $129 may be a little steep but compared to say Scotch it's actually in line with other 18 year whiskey. $200 is high but I guarantee you, with the popularity of Japanese whisky rising, the prices will do so as well.
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