![]() ![]() ![]() Torii built what would become Suntory (which now includes distilleries Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita, as well as blended whisky Hibiki). In 1923, Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii built the country’s first distillery, Yamazaki, and hired Taketsuru. That’s when Masataka Taketsuru traveled to Scotland to learn how to distill “proper” single-malt whisky. According to author Dominic Roskrow’s book, Whisky Japan (Kodansha USA, 2016), Japanese whisky’s genesis can be traced to 1918. The story of Japanese whisky begins with Scotch. If you’re a fan of Scotch whiskies, odds are you’ll enjoy those from Japan, too. “That’s why you see so much praise,” says Koenig. They span from whisper-light (see the new Kikori bottling) to rich, caramel-forward spirits that resemble Bourbon, and even peated variations that will please fans of smoky Scotches. Japanese whiskies represent remarkable range. They search for balance and quality, and those attributes shine through.” This new batch of distillers, he says, “have an attention to detail. “Japanese whisky is remarkable and unique and deserves all of its buzz,” says Timothy Koenig, general manager (and self-declared “head Japanese-booze nerd”) at Yusho Chicago, which boasts 50-plus bottlings in its inventory. consumers have access to more of these uncommon spirits than they’ve ever had before. It just happens that those tweaks have resulted in a range of whiskies that appeal equally to Western palates.” -Dominic Roskrow “Japanese whisky has taken a Scottish blueprint and quite deliberately tweaked it to suit a Japanese palate. Meanwhile, the “Big Two,” Suntory and Nikka, are rolling out new products, and a growing number of small, up-and-coming distillers are finding acclaim. Sure, single malts with specific age statements have become hard to get, but they haven’t vanished altogether. Yet, it’s also a wonderful time to discover Japanese whisky. If we run out, we might not get more bottles.” ![]() “But we don’t put them up on the shelf where everyone can see. “We have quite a backlist of the Japanese whiskies, including some of the rare and old ones,” said the owner of a relatively new whiskey bar on New York City’s Lower East Side, who wished to remain anonymous. It’s turned even generous-minded bartenders into hoarders. It’s a rough time for lovers of Japanese whisky.ĭemand has soared in recent years, which is making many bottlings of this nuanced, complex spirit ridiculously hard to find. Decorative Wine Racks & Modular Systems. ![]()
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