Samurai Japanese Whisky boasts craft legacy and exceptional flavors
If we are here discussing spirits, then the discussion won't be complete without talking about Japanese Whisky. It has emerged as a formidable contender in the list. Even if you are a legit scotch lover, once you have Japanese Whisky, you will be mesmerized. If you haven't tried this, then you will probably be wondering what the hype is all about. Well, don't worry! You will get to learn that in this blog post. Let's start from the beginning:
Who is The Father of Japanese Whisky
In 1918, Masataka Taketsuru traveled from Odyssey to Scotland with a desire to master the art of creating Japanese whisky. His journey involved enrolling at the University of Glasgow, studying chemistry, and apprenticing at three distinguished Scotch distilleries. But still, how he is related to Whisky, well, coming onto that, this guy has two books filled with the knowledge that he has gotten from the master blenders. After that, he returned to Japan in 1920. By 1923, he was instrumental in establishing Japan's inaugural whisky distillery under Kotobukiya Limited (later Suntory).
How the Japanese created this masterpiece:
Japan's geographic advantages shape its unique whiskies. Pristine water, a climate that speeds up maturation, and its locations create flavorful, aromatic, and exceptionally smooth whiskies. These geographical blessings give Japanese whiskies an exquisite profile.
Why Japanese Whisky is unique:
Japanese Whisky resonates with Scotch aficionados but has its own flavor. Just like Scotch, it is crafted with care and has to go through a special distillation process. It matures in wooden barrels, often featuring malted and/or peated barley. Although its flavor profile mirrors Scotch, you can't consider it a copycat; it is more like its sibling. It tastes like Scotch with a peaty, dry, and smoky flavor that completely sets it apart from American bourbon or rye whiskey. Moreover, the thing that differentiates it from scotch is that scotch always tastes the same, but Japanese Whisky is always changing. Japanese makers are always experimenting with its flavors in their ways to make them better and more complex. They might probably be doing just that now!
Connection Between Japanese Whisky & Samurai Tradition:
Japanese Whisky and samurai traditions share a profound connection. The Whisky blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern excellence. Like the disciplined samurai, Japanese distillers keep on experimenting with yeast strains and wood barrels to create these flavorful whiskies.
Japan's Whisky Dominance:
Japan is the third-largest whisky producer in a row, competing with Scotch and the U.S. bourbons. Moreover, in 2003, Suntory's Yamazaki 12-year-old clinched gold at the International Spirits Challenge, followed by Hibiki, a 30-year-old the next year. This marked the beginning of Japanese whiskies consistently triumphing at international awards, including the prestigious World Whisky Awards (WWA) in 2007. Notably, in 2013, Suntory's Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 earned the title of the world's best Whisky, attaining a remarkable score of 97.5 out of 100 in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible. A testament to Japan's whisky prowess within a century of crafting excellence.
The Japanese Whisky flavours that you should try:
For those venturing into Japanese whisky territory, several exceptional bottles beckon exploration:
- Yamato Samurai Takeda Shingen Edition Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask: It aligns with the traditional Japanese whisky flavor profile, offering a silky-smooth finish with beautiful notes of fruits and vanillas.
- Suntory Whisky Toki: A crisp, balanced entry point with notes of green apple, honey, and a hint of peppery spice.
- Hibiki Suntory Harmony Japanese Whisky: Luxurious and rich, featuring candied orange peel, rose, lychee, and rosemary.
- Sensei Japanese Whisky: A Mizunara Oak-aged delight with tasting notes of sandalwood, caramel, and Japanese plum.
- Hatozaki Finest Japanese Whisky: Versatile and gentle, offering lemon, honeydew, and almond undertones.
- Tenjaku Blended Japanese Whisky: Crafted with pure water from the Misaka Mountains, delivering a mellow palate and sweet finish.
- Kikori Whiskey: Unique with 100% rice composition, aged in oak, presenting refreshing floral notes.
To Wrap up:
Now that you know why there is Hype about Japanese Whisky, you can start finding your favorite flavor out of all. There are exceptional choices like Yamato Samurai Takeda Shingen Edition Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask, Savor Suntory Whisky Toki, Hibiki Suntory Harmony, Sensei's Mizunara Oak-aged delight, and more. Reach out to the Royal Batch to start your collection of Japanese Whisky.
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