Is there a Japanese Scotch?

Is there a Japanese Scotch?

Japanese whisky is most similar to scotch whisky in terms of its production methods. Single malts and blends are the main styles made, using pot and column stills and aged in a variety of barrel types including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and Japanese Mizunara oak.

What is Japanese Scotch called?

There are several companies producing whisky in Japan, but the two best-known and most widely available are Suntory and Nikka. Both of these produce blended as well as single malt whiskies and blended malt whiskies, with their main blended whiskies being Suntory kakubin (角瓶, square bottle), and Black Nikka Clear.

Is Japanese Whisky better than scotch?

High elevation, low pressure. Japan is home to some of the highest distilleries in the world; as elevation increases, pressure decreases, and therefore the boiling point also decreases. A lower boiling point helps retain flavor and aroma and produces a smooth, more drinkable whisky.

Does Japanese Whisky taste like scotch?

Mostly, they diverge philosophically. Scotch is made to taste like it has always tasted for centuries—Scottish distillers focus on consistency and pack in a more smoky flavor. Japanese distillers, on the other hand, look to constantly refine and perfect, leaning toward more delicate-tasting whiskies.

Why is hibiki so expensive?

As auctions bring in bigger and bigger winnings, the rarer bottlings drag up the flagship, best-sellers, fans have enjoyed for years. A normal blend or 12-year-old whisky in Japan sells for almost double what it would in the Scotch industry. Take the globally loved Yamazaki 12, the Hibiki 17, and Hakushu 12.

Is Suntory whisky a Scotch?

He studied in Glasgow and worked at a number of Scottish distilleries during the early 1920s. He would eventually become Suntory’s first distillery manager. Of course, even though they are made with practically identical methods, Japanese single malts cannot be called scotch, as they are not produced in Scotland.

Why is Japanese whisky so good?

Japanese whisky puts a particular emphasis on blending, combining spirits from different barrels in order to create a complex whole. Nikka creates whiskies from what it terms Key Malts, themselves blends of whisky that each express different flavors.

Why is Japanese Scotch so expensive?

Yep…the law of supply and demand is a constant rule in any market, and the demand for Japanese whisky has been rocketing sky high for years. During the 2000’s the Japanese whisky industry was slowly dying off from lack of demand.

Is Hibiki discontinued?

The first of Suntory’s whisky to get the axe … Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, so despite its status as the youngest of the line’s age-statement collection, it’s no easier to track down than its older siblings.

Is Hakushu 12 year discontinued?

Suntory single malt whisky Hakushu 12 Year returns after it was discontinued two years ago. Here’s more good news: one of Japan’s top whiskies, the Hakushu 12 Year which was discontinued in June 2018, will be appearing on the shelves again in Japan on March 30.