Japanese single malt whisky named world's finest

You would imagine that us Irish dont make some very fine whiskeys that more than match anything written about above. And by the way, get the spelling of whiskey right, it is W-H-I-S-K-E-Y.

Whisky is the usual spelling in Britain and whiskey in the U.S.

Who can say the result is not affected by the NHK drama series.

I've been drinking beer for a long time. Guess it's time for me to try something new. And, yes the NHK drama, along with this award rendered to the Japanese whiskey might be the trigger for me

Japan makes some excellent whisky and is getting recognition overseas, but you have to pay up for it.

It is sad to see japanese drowning good whisky with a gallon of water.

A fine whisky indeed, as are many other Japanese whiskies. Scottish, Canadian and Japanese distilleries make whisky whilst those in the USA and Ireland make whiskey.

Who can say the result is not affected by the NHK drama series.

Everyone can say that.

That's my dad's Christmas present sorted. We should polish this one off Christmas Day.

Congrats... I don't drink whisky but if I did... I just don't see myself mixing it. It would have to be straight but I might need to nibble on something food wise with it. I'm mainly a wine drinker now but I always eat something with the wine. What goes well with a quality tumbler of whisky?

For people who may be not whisky lovers, some of Japanese single malt whiskies are really awesome, putting shames on many traditional European brands.

Japan should be proud of its accomplishments in an unlike field.

Two thumbs up!

nice, definitely deserved recognition. love the yamasaki and hibiki whisky's.

Still don't like the "dirty" edge to J-whiskey

Must get myself a bottle of this... Pity it's priced for extortion outside of Japan.

I'm sure it's a great dram, but "Aged 35 years"? That's gonna blow the monthly budget to bits!

I've always said that Japan makes some fine whiskeys and this just proves it. And, just by coincidence, there is a bottle the same Yamazaki sitting in my liquor cabinet. It's good to see Four Roses get an award for bourbon too although, I prefer Wild Turkey.

JT! Please change the spelling of whiskey in the headline!

"Pity it's priced for extortion outside of Japan."

A few years ago I priced one of the Japanese whiskeys (Yamazaki 12 Year maybe?) in the US after I came back from Tokyo and it was actually less expensive.

Agreed. Japanese single malts are fantastic when served neat.

Well deserved. My 2 favourite Japanese whiskys are Taketsuru (the 17 is delicious) and pretty much anything from Hanyu distilliery (mainly sold as Ichiro's malt). the Chicibu range is just wonderful.

You would imagine that us Irish dont make some very fine whiskeys that more than match anything written about above.

In the end, it boils down to who is doing the drinking.

In company, I show my refinement by using a glass and adding ice and stuff.

Good news, but I don't think 35 year old whisky will fit my budget...

@Basher

In company, I show my refinement by using a glass and adding ice and stuff.

While alone, you neck it out the bottle. I'm with you, my friend! : )

I was never into it, until a friend let me have a shot from a 10.000 yen bottle of Yamazaki (couldn't say how old, but it was single malt). It felt like alcoholic honey, not choking and full of different aromas. Very strong and extremely pleasant...

I had to think long and hard about this news. First, as "excellent" as the best J-whiskies are, they do not offer the great available taste range of Scotch single malts. Someone who settles in on a couple of Yamazakis as their only whisky is depriving themself of so much else. Second, I also used to only drink whiskey neat until I watched a video by a rather over-the-top Scotsman who gave instructions on the proper savouring and drinking of Scotch - and to my surprise he insisted that the whiskey should be diluted to about 50 proof with water. Yes, water - the same stuff that WC Fields never drank because fish make love in it. Well, after some experimentation I am now in agreement with the guy, because when slightly diluted you get all of the flavor and subtlety without the burn. And any good Scotsman knows the bottle lasts longer that way, and that is no small matter when it happens to be something like Lagavulin 18.

With 15~20 single malts to choose from in the 'drinks cabinet', have never found myself reaching for a Yamazaki or Hibiki. Still find them a little rough, there is an edge to them that none of the family like. Nikka is definitely the hardest to drink, even as mizuwari or with lemonade!

Find the Highland and Speyside whiskies are the easiest to drink and the smoothest, the peaty Islay malts taste a little too medical.

Of course it could be that I have lousy taste, but everyone is entitled to their opinion...

The spelling of whisky is correct in the headline. No need to change it.

Sláinte

@lucabrasi

In company, I show my refinement by using a glass and adding ice and stuff.

While alone, you neck it out the bottle. I'm with you, my friend! : )

It's more environmentally friendly ; )

That's a great achievement! How much do these go for?

I've actually drank this brand in the US last year. I was quite impressed then.

Went out with the inlaws after a wedding and they let me try this whiskey. I did comment on how smooth it was, but I was too drunk to really appreciate it. I just remember it cause the bottle was right in front of me.

No doubting the quality of some excellent Japanese single malts. Shame the wine industry here struggles to produce anything worth uncorking.

That's a great achievement! How much do these go for?

Around ¥8-9,000 a bottle. Not too bad!

@Dave Doyle - for an Irishman, you sure spell whisky funny.

There's no E unless you're a yank.

There's no E unless you're a yank.

That's incorrect. When referring to UK whiskies, it's spelled whisky, and when referring to other whiskies, it's spelled whiskey. Has nothing to do with where the speaker is from.

sorry Doyle me'boy - they said Single Malts- not those blends with all that grain alcohol you gents like out in fields

You mean Whiskey instead of Whisky... uh huh

When referring to UK whiskies, it's spelled whisky, and when referring to other whiskies, it's spelled whiskey.

I was brought up believing that Scotch was whisky, and Ireland made whiskey. When the Irish emigrated to the US they took whiskey with them, and everyone else (including Japan) emulated Scotch, i.e. they made whisky. There are also some prominent (I'm told) American distilleries that put whisky, not whiskey, on their labels - George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, Old Forester Whisky, to name but three.

As far as I know all the Japanese distilleries call what they produce whisky, not whiskey. It's on the label. The people who make it should know what they want to call it.

Ichiro's Malts are the best Japanese whisky i have had. agree that restricting oneself to one country is not the way to go. scotch, Irish and some bourbon all good. even had an English whisky that wan't bad.

its going to cost you around the £50 mark, well that it is expensive in comparison to a 10 year old single malt, but a prize winning 50 year old malt, well that it cheap or should i say good value for money. I don't suppose they would like to send a sample bottle to me, just for scientific purposes of course ??

1 Good Bad kurumazakaNOV. 04, 2014 - 04:34PM JST I never saw what the big deal about Yamazaki was. Then again. I wasn't drinking a 35 year...For me, I prefer the Nikka line or pretty much anything from Ichiro's Malt, though none of it beats a bottom of the line Ardbeg 10 or Laphroiag Quarter Cask

You sir have it right, Japanese do put out a nice product but still can't beat an Islay

I was surprised when I first tasted Yamazaki 12-year and Hibiki 18-year(I think it was 18). Yamazaki has a kind of scotch type flavor while Hibiki boasts a smokey one. All really good. I even enjoyed the less expensive brand like Suntory 43(black label) that has a hint of vanilla. IMO it is really hard to say which whiskey is the best or better. There are so many varieties, styles and to top it off, everyone has their own personal favorites. It is so complicated that it is like comparing apples and oranges. Just enjoy drinking what you like. Kanpai!!!

If you like the feel of razor blades running down your throat, Yamazaki is the whisky for you !

Congratulations to the good folks at Yamazaki distillery! I particularly like the closing of the article, “It is time for a little dose of humility… to get back to basics. To realise that something is missing.”

"If you like the feel of razor blades running down your throat, Yamazaki is the whisky for you !"

Heck, ANY whiskey, if drunk straight, will feel like razor blades running down yer throat! Ya gotta cut the stuff, about one third whiskey and two thirds water. Then you got a nice drink!

JT! Please change the spelling of whiskey in the headline!

As has been quoted previously, Japan uses the Scottish spelling of "Whisky". Us Americans apparently had to add the "e" so that we didn't try to pronounce it "whi-skai".

As has been quoted previously, Japan uses the Scottish spelling of "Whisky". Us Americans apparently had to add the "e" so that we didn't try to pronounce it "whi-skai".

So desu ne.

I found its ad on f Japanese magazines. The bottle pictire, Suntry Whisky Co. and Yamazaki whisky, In Japanese kana, UISUKI-

So headline is OK. At least it does not use Japanese sounds..

It's a pity that the whisky in the picture is not the winner of the 2014 best whisky award......

Regardless of it being spelled "whisky" or "whiskey", the terms come from the Irish term "uisce beatha" (pronounced "whish-keh bah" meaning "water of life".

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uisce_beatha

I don'r drink alcoholic. Once, I rdered iced tea. Then waiter asked Irish Tea. My children signed me not to order but I wanted Ieiah Tea. When it came, I smelled alcohol. I had to ask diet spda/ I did not knpw Iriosh tea id Irish Whisky, I wonswe how rhs Yamazaki whisksy will vw namws in Vegas. Japanewse Tea is usually green tea.

I don'r drink alcoholic. Once, I rdered iced tea. Then waiter asked Irish Tea. My children signed me not to order but I wanted Ieiah Tea. When it came, I smelled alcohol. I had to ask diet spda/ I did not knpw Iriosh tea id Irish Whisky, I wonswe how rhs Yamazaki whisksy will vw namws in Vegas. Japanewse Tea is usually green tea.

No offense, but you sound drunk now. I'm just kidding of course. I assume your typing on a smartphone?

Back on topic, good for Suntory. For relaxing times, make it Suntory time!

@MrSum: I wrote I don't drink and so you must b e drunk when you read my comment.

Anyway, Mr. Torii has been successful since when he created Suntory company. Merging and expanding. Now Yamazaki Whisky. I will check Cosmopolitan or other eateries here to learn how Yamazaki will compete against Irish Tea jere.