Japanese Scotch has a unique flavour, ideal for people who enjoy a challenge. It's prepared with a blend of regional Japanese ingredients and classic Scottish distillation techniques. With so many variations on the market, selecting the best Japanese Scotch for your palate might be overwhelming. The goal of this guide is to assist you in finding the best-rated, genuine, and high-end Japanese Scotches out there.
Japanese Scotch Is well-known for its wide variety of flavours, which set it apart from typical Scottish scotch . Because of these distinct flavour profiles, it has grown in popularity among Scotchenthusiasts.
Fruit, spice, wood, and peat are just a few of the varied and nuanced flavour profiles in some highly regarded Japanese Scotch Brands. The barrel choice and ageing technique greatly influence the overall complexity and flavour.
Top 10 Japanese Scotch To Try
Yamazaki 12
The good news about this iconic Japanese Scotch is that, although it's still not exactly inexpensive. It's becoming more accessible than it was a year or two ago. You should be able to find a bottle that is a splurge but not a deal breaker if you shop about it. For those who require a pop culture point of reference, Yamazaki 12-year-old was introduced by Suntory back in 1984, the same year that the movie Gremlins was released. A few months ago, Suntory introduced the Tsukuriwake Selection, which divided the Scotch Into four distinct components according to the kind of barrel: Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak, and Mizunara. You can get this for ₹15,000 - ₹20,000.
Nikka
The other major player in the Japanese scotch market, Nikka Nikka, introduced two limited-edition bottles as a part of its Discovery Series this past autumn. The names of the distilleries from which each single malt is sourced are referenced in the Scotches, but the blends are a play on standards. The main emphasis is on yeast and how it affects scotch's flavour and aroma, which is important to consider. Official tasting notes describe Yoichi Aromatic Yeast as reminiscent of ginjyo sake, expressing floral and fruity notes that have only improved after several years of maturation. It costs ₹5,000 - ₹10,000 for one bottle.
Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy
Relatively new to the Japanese Scotch Scene, this distillery opened into business in 2016. With a temperate, damp climate akin to that of Scotland's Islay, Akkeshi is situated on the island of Hokkaido in the extreme north of Japan. The first single malt release from the distillery, this Scotchgoes by the moniker "white crane" and is a young (at least three years old) blend of liquid aged in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, red wine casks, and Mizunara wood. This fruity dram has hints of spice and vanilla, and because it's bottled at 96 proof, it has a slight heat that stays on the tongue while you drink. Get this for ₹10,000 - ₹15,000 without taxes or shipment charges.
Asaka Single Malt
Asaka Single Malt Asaka was established in 2015 and is likewise a relatively new brand in the United States, albeit in small quantities. The business has launched two outstanding single malt Scotches worth trying for ₹5,000 - ₹8,000. The Scotch Is non-chill filtered, has no colour added, and is made in Japan—it is not a global whiskey—at the distillery, which is situated in the Fukushima area of Japan.
Mars Komagatake
You decide whether or not the fact that the Mars Shinshu distillery is Japan's tallest distillery affects the scotch's character. Originally situated on the island of Kyushu, it has been producing Scotch Since 1949 and is now situated in the Japanese Alps. Mars offers various blended Scotches, the most well-known of which is Iwai. However, some single malts are also available, such as Komagatake for ₹10,000 - ₹15,000.
Suntory Scotch Toki
Toki combines grain and malt Scotch From Suntory's Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries. It's arguably one of the simplest Japanese Scotches to find these days for ₹3,000 - ₹5,000. The two primary "pillars" of the Scotchare Hakushu white oak cask malt and Chita grain scotch , with additional Scotches from Yamazaki white oak cask and Spanish oak cask added for good measure.
Teitessa
"Single grain" refers, more often than not, to the fact that rice, rather than barley, is used to make Japanese scotch . Some people regard this as just a high-proof aged shochu, but this type of Scotch Is frequently much more than that. A relatively recent addition to the scene, Teitessa is produced at the sake brewery and distillery Fuji Takasago for ₹5,000 - ₹8,000.
Hibiki Blossom Harmony
Hibiki Blossom Harmony Blending is an essential part of the Japanese Scotch Production process. Flavours and ratios are carefully considered; some distilleries produce up to sixty distinct Scotches blended to create the finished product. Suntory introduced the Hibiki blend in 1989, currently available in multiple variations. The 17-year-old is arguably the best for ₹10,000 - ₹15,000; it's a wonderfully balanced drink with great toffee and caramel aromas.
Fuji Scotch
The most recent release from Mt. Fuji Distillery was a single-grain Scotch That was 30 years old. This is not a single malt, as it's brewed from a mashbill of corn and malted barley rather than simply malted barley. It's not a rice scotch. A youthful iteration of the single grain, Fuji, is crafted from three distinct grain Scotches distilled in scotch, Canadian scotch , and bourbon styles for ₹3,000 - ₹5,000. You should also sample the core blended scotch ; this specific bottle works well for creating mixed drinks.
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Scotch
Located around one hour outside of Tokyo, Ichiro's Malt & Grain Scotch Chichibu was established in 2008 atop the remnants of the former Hanyu distillery. Though the distillery is small in comparison to other ones in Japan, the Scotchis quite expressive. In addition to this easily accessible global scotch blend, there are also incredibly rare single malts and extremely limited-edition single-cask bottlings that are fantastic Scotches to explore for ₹10,000 - ₹15,000.