So, you’ve heard the buzz around Japanese whisky from all your coolest high-ball cocktail friends. But you may be wondering: what’s the big deal about Japanese Whisky? There has to be something pretty special about this marvel of Eastern malt magic that is Japanese whisky, or else we wouldn’t have built a whole blog around it and you wouldn’t be reading it.  The popularity of Japanese whisky is as complex as the whisky itself. There are many elements mixed to make the perfect rise to fame of whiskies coming out of Japan, from both small boutique distilleries to major producers.  Here ..read more

Hello and welcome back to the Japanese Whisky Blog, where we help you be more informed about what’s in your glass, so you can more fully enjoy each drinking experience. Whether you’re new here, or a seasoned whisky expert, you’ve likely seen the label Single Malt Whisky. You’re probably swooned or over a bottle or two, or splurged on one for a gift or special occasion. But what does it mean? What gives the Single Malt Whisky such a lofty label with a matching price tag?  Like we said, we’re here to break it down. We’ll cover everything you need to know about Single Malt Whisky from the vi ..read more

(Via The Spirits Business) Master distiller Ken Usami is at the helm of the operation, creating a range of whiskies that includes The Shin Malt Whisky, The Shin Malt Whisky 10 Years Old and The Shin Malt Whisky 15 Years Old. He finishes each of these expressions in mizunara oak, developing a distinctive flavour profile that has put the producer on the world whisky map – the 10-year-old bottling even took home a Gold medal in our DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting. Read more… The post SB meets… Ken Usami, Shinobu Distillery appeared first on CNS Imports ..read more

Believe it or not, it’s about time to put a bow on the year 2021. It’s been an interesting year for the Japanese whisky category. New guidelines from the Japanese Spirit & Liqueurs Makers Association caused many makers to rethink their selling strategies, while popularity and demand for the spirit continues to rise across the globe. The result is a slight decrease in supply, which makes these highly-sought Japanese whisky brands all-the-more coveted.  As we look forward to 2022, it’s time to update the ol’ best of list. Just like last year’s edition, these bottles are the creme de la ..read more

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Japanese Whisky blog. We’re glad you’re here, on this corner of this internet where we talk about everything Japanese Whisky. And, well, we quite simply cannot talk about Japanese Whisky without two names: Nikka and Suntory. You’re heard the names. You’ve seen the bottles on the shelves, you’ve noted the awards. But do you really know the why, or the how these two distillery companies became the dominating conglomerates they are today? In fact, Suntory and Nikka’s success was built on more than good whisky and good business. This blog will help you understand t ..read more

Back in the Age of Discovery, Ilha Formosa (“beautiful island”) was the name the Portuguese gave to Taiwan. Today the Renaissance Distillery, based in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, uses an anglicisation of the name – “Isle of Formose” – to advertise the origin of its rum. Read the full article here: Style The post Will Japanese whisky be eclipsed by Taiwan? The island’s gin and rum also show promise – with one distillery promising spirits ‘good enough for God’ appeared first on CNS Imports ..read more

Japanese whisky? Cocktails? Turns out, the two are a perfect mix (see what we did there). Now, remember, most Japanese whisky isn’t your average joe—flavor profiles are meticulously crafted and meant to be tasted mindfully. So, especially when you get a really nice, coveted bottle, we recommend always tasting the whisky first. Sipping it neat is the best way to experience the spirit and appreciate the distinct way each batch was made.  Once you’ve properly tasted the whisky and doted on every wiff and sip, it is perfectly acceptable—in fact, encouraged—to pour it into a satisfying cocktai ..read more

Whisky-lovers around the world (well, at least definitely here in the U.S.) are likely wondering…what is the deal with rice whisky? What’s the fuss about? You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen some headlines—you may have even had it in your high-ball once or twice lately. But we’re here to give you the latest and greatest information on the Japanese whisky mystery that is: Rice Whisky.  We’ll start at the beginning. A history and explanation of Japanese rice spirits Frankly, rice whisky itself has a somewhat short history. It has developed over recent years as a result of the expanding popul ..read more

Welcome back to the Whisky Blog, where whisky knowledge leads to elevated whisky enjoyment. Today we tackle a bit of a touchy subject in the industry: Japanese whiskies that are made by blending scotch or canadian whisky. You may have heard some of the chatter going around… ”Are most Japanese whisky’s even made in Japan?” “Are Japanese blenders trying to trick their American audience?” “Is Japan even a real country?” (just kidding) There’s no super straight-up answer. Japanese whisky is a relatively new phenomenon on this planet, and the massive market is still straightening out some growing p ..read more

It’s the beginning of the new year, which means we’re making our resolutions and ready to better  ourselves. Or, in the very least…we’re ready to better our taste in whisky. 2021 is the year we step up our sophistication and delve into the renowned category of Japanese whisky.  So, your standards are higher in 2021. But your budget…not so much? Not to worry. We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of the best Japanese whisky to try this year, to break your teeth on the booming category—without totally breaking the bank.  Suntory Toki  Credit: suntory.com We’ll start you off ..read more