Although Japanese Whisky has been commercially produced since the early 1920s, it has become popular in Europe and America through the recent years.
In 2001, Nikka’s 10-year Yoichi Single Malt won “Best of the Best” at Whisky Magazine’s awards.
In 2015, for the first time in the 12 years of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, a non-scotch whisky was characterized as the best whisky in the world. We are talking about Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt Cask 2013. That was the time that Japan proved that was getting seriously into world’s best whiskies.
The style of Japanese whisky is more similar to that of Scotch whisky, as Japanese have carefully studied the process of making Scotch whisky. While trying to recreate that process, they managed to make great distillates and being diverse and innovative classifies Japanese Whiskies to the most high quality spirits globally.
The two best-known companies producing Japanese whisky are Suntory and Nikka.
Today, I chose to present you three of my favorite Japanese Whiskies. Suntory’s Hibiki and Nikka’s Taketsuru and Pure Malt Black, that I got from KYLIX liquor store in Kolonaki.
Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Hibiki includes malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushi and some old grains from Chita. Floral, exciting and flavorsome.
Nose: Floral and fresh with notes of pine and sandalwood
Palate: Honey, orange, cinnamon, rosemary, a little smokeness
Finish: Dark chocolate, honey
Taketsuru contains a high percentage of malt from Miyagikyo. Aged for about 10 years. Rich and fruity.
Nose: Clean and sweet with red fruit
Palate: Fruity and spicy with clove and cherry
Finish: Fruity
Nikka Pure Malt Black is a blended malt made up of whisky from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. It was awarded with 95 points by Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible. Fresh, clean and a little smokey.
Nose: Earth and chocolate with notes of sweet fruit
Palate: Dark chocolate, dark berry, toffee, vanilla
Finish: Rich and strong, smokey and spicy
I enjoyed all three whiskies at home with my favourite people, a wonderful cold night in front of the fireplace combined with great cigars and beautiful sounds.
CREDITS:
Total outfit Rococo
Shoes Ioannis Karagiorgos
Tie Armani
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