Best Japanese Whisky

Bestwine • Online reveals its selection of Japanese Whisky references on the wine list of gastronomic restaurants. Japanese Whiskies proposed on the wine menu of gastronomic restaurants, carry the seal of approval of the greatest sommeliers and the best chefs. So, discover these Japanese Whiskies selected by the most respected professionals of good food and fine wine.

Best Japanese Whiskies

With Bestwine • Online, the best reference list of Japanese Whiskies:

• Find one of the best Japanese Whiskies.
• Offer an exceptional bottle of Japanese Whiskies.
• Enrich your bar or wine cellar with a prestigious Japanese Whiskies.
• Discover the starred gastronomic restaurants where drink the best Japanese Whiskies.
• Benefit from gastronomic professionnal’s advices to select your Japanese Whiskies.

Best Japanese Whisky’s Brands

Refer to Chief’s, Sommelier’s, Bartender’s from gastronomic restaurants of all around the world‘s opinion to discover the best Japanese Whisky’s brands and best references. A ranking and comparative of the best Japanese Whisky’s brands by the Chief’s, Sommelier’s and Bartender’s from the top gastronomic experts.

Japanese Whisky brand	Whisky origin	Vintage	Type of whisky	Alcohol Degree	Restaurant
Nikka Whisky – Taketsuru	Japan	No	Single Malt Whisky	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Clos des Sens – France
Nikka Whisky – Yoishi	Japan	No	Single Malt Whisky	45°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France
Suntory Hibiki Whisky	Japan	No	Blended	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France
Yamazaki Whisky	Japan	18 years	Single Malt	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France
Yamazaki Whisky	Japan	12 years	Single Malt	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France
Yamazaki Whisky – Distiller’s reserve	Japan	No	Single Malt	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France
Hakushu Whisky	Japan	No	Single Malt	43°	⭐⭐⭐ – Restaurant Yannick Alleno – France

The history of Japanese Whisky

Japanese Whisky is now a greatly prized alcoholic drink. At the moment, it is the 4^th most consumed whisky in the world after Scotch Whisky, Irish Whisky and American Bourbon. Moreover, it was the Americans who introduced whisky to the Japanese on 13^th March 1854, when Commodore Matthew Perry’s boats landed in Kanagawa. As was the custom for each official visit at the time, a gift was offered to the Japanese Emperor by way of diplomacy. Amongst the gifts offered by the American Matthew Perry, was a bottle of bourbon from the United States of America. The whisky brought by Matthew Perry was kept in several barrels one of which was reserved for the Emperor and his advisors who then made their discovery known to the Japanese people. So began the history between Japan and Whisky.

Japanese usually drink dry whisky mixed with still or sparkling water and ice. A typically Japanese way of drinking whisky, called Iceball, consists of serving Japanese Whisky with a scoop of ice cream or a big ice cube. When Japanese Whisky is served with sparkling water and ice cream or a big ice cube, it is called Highball. Some gastronomic restaurants propose these drinks to their customers.

Brands of Japanese Whisky

There are several brands of Japanese whisky, producing this precious drink in different Japanese Distilleries.

Here are the different brands of Japanese Whiskies and the distilleries which produce them:

• Japanese Whisky Brand, Eigashima Shuzö: White Oak Distillery at Akashi
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Hombo Shuzö (Mars Whisky):  Shishü Distillery at Miyada, Kamiina district and Tsunuki Distillery at Kagoshima
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Kirin:  Fuji Gotemba Distillery at Gotenba
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Matsui Shuzö; Two Distilleries at Kurayoshi
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Monde Shuzö: Distillery at Fuefuki
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Nikka (group Ahsahi Breweries); Mikyagikyo Distillery at Sendai and Yoichi Distillery at Yoichi.
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Sasanokawa Shuzö: Asaka Distillery at Köriyama.
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Suntory: Chita Distillery at Chita (grain whisky) Hakushu Distillery at Hokuto and Yamazaki Distillery at Shimamoto, district of Mishima.
• Japanese Whisky Brand, Venture Whisky (brand Ichiro’s Malt): Chichibu Distillery at Chichibu.

There are not many whisky brands. Each of these Japanese brands of whisky has, however several whisky references. Logically, a large part of Japanese whiskies served at the table of gastronomic restaurants come from these brands. The brands of Japanese Whisky, Nikka and Suntory are the most well-known. it is interesting to note that most of these brands of whisky have distilleries implanted in areas where the land and climate is similar to Scottish Distilleries.

Japanese Whisky Distilleries distinguish themselves by elaborating their base products to make blends from their own distillery. On the contrary, Scottish Distilleries can, for example exchange their distillates to create their blends. The difference in taste between the different Japanese Whiskies is likely to be more pronounced as each distillery keeps its independence with regards to production. It is important to note that some Japanese Distilleries incorporate a certain percentage of Scottish single malts into their creation. Notably the Japanese Whiskies Nikka, Ben Nevis and Suntory.

Over the years, Japanese Whisky has affirmed its character to become recognized for its distinctive qualities, which have allowed it to appear on the wine list of the greatest gastronomic restaurants in the world. Originally, Japanese Whisky was very similar in character and flavours to Scottish Whisky because of its history. In fact, the popularity of whisky in Japan was instigated notably by a Japanese man, Masataka Taketseru, who studied the art and techniques of whisky in Scotland. On his return to Japan, Masataka Takatseru used these Scottish Whisky distillation techniques to produce Japanese versions. Masataka Takatseru created the first Japanese Distillery in 1934, called Dainipponkajü, where he elaborated the famous Whisky Nikka.  This distillery is located in Yoichi on the Hokkaidö Island. Masataka Taketseru also founded the Whisky Kotobukiya, now known as Suntory, created in Yamazi in 1924 in collaboration with another well know personality in Japanese Whisky creation, Shinjirö Torii.

Japanese Whisky progressively replaced Sake in the heart of the Japanese people after the second world war. Sake is known to be the traditional Japanese alcohol. The reason for this change is once more historical, as after the war Japan was occupied by the Americans.

Top Japanese Whisky in gastronomic restaurants

Japanese Whisky has its own characteristics which come from several different criteria. In fact, Japan has a temperate climate, particularly pure water and peat bogs. The famous peat bogs from which the word peaty is derived, used to describe some whiskies. Water which filters through peat is considered as ideal when producing good quality whisky. Chefs and sommeliers in gastronomic restaurants promote Japanese Whiskies on their wine menu for their distinctive flavour.

This selection of Japanese Whiskies allows you to discover, find and buy the ultimate bottle. Japanese Whiskies considered by legitimate and credible professionals as being the greatest choice.

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