Japanese whisky

[RooFlyer]

I have a friend with Japanese heritage who will enjoy a bottle of Japanese whiskey for Christmas. I'm clueless ... ahem ... about such things. Any reccomendations amongst this lot .. and why, please (ie excellent value for money ... very popular in Japan, etc)

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/whisky/japanese-whisky/price-80-200?size=60

It opens up as member for me, hopefully not very different if you are not a member, but I've selected between $80 and $200.

 

[JackMiles]

For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.

 

[clifford]

I agree, and it's widely available in ANA domestic lounges..

It's not bad, either. There are times I've had the odd one too many.

 

[Eija]

Yikes, as soon someone mentions Japanese the price goes up $100!!! Hibiki 12 if you can find it. Hibiki 17 is nice, I last purchased for $320…5-6 years ago. Now $1,899 @ DM.

 

[zig]

From the DM offerings I have had the Yamasaki and enjoyed it. I can't comment on price / value etc and haven't had the others as a comparison. So just my 2 cents worth.

 

[NM]

You will find a great selection and very wide range of prices here: Buy Japanese Whisky Online | Nicks Wine Merchants

As noted by @Eija, Hibiki is a safe bet. The choice may come down to how much you are wanting to spend.

 

[SOPOOR]

To be fair japanese whiskey is great but stupidly overpriced for what it is.
If you're going to pay those big $$$ why not get him to try something non japanese.

Bang for buck if you spent $120, you could get something similar ish but better

 

[NM]

To be fair japanese whiskey is great but stupidly overpriced for what it is.
If you're going to pay those big $$$ why not get him to try something non japanese.

Bang for buck if you spent $120, you could get something similar ish but better

I agree. Unless he really wants Japanese, perhaps a decent Aussie whisky might be a nice surprise. Have a look at Helliers Road (Tasmania) or for something "modern" have a look at Starward (Victoria). Both have great product and I would consider them better value than a lot of Japanese options. The Japanese are great, but as @SOPOOR note, generally overpriced compared with many other options.

 

[SOPOOR]

I agree. Unless he really wants Japanese, perhaps a decent Aussie whisky might be a nice surprise. Have a look at Helliers Road (Tasmania) or for something "modern" have a look at Starward (Victoria). Both have great product and I would consider them better value than a lot of Japanese options. The Japanese are great, but as @SOPOOR note, generally overpriced compared with many other options.

Also a lot of the Japanese distilleries/companies are cashing in the trend and just slapping together any coughpy whisky and putting a "japanese whiskey" label and price on it.

Add to that, the rules have changed/are changing but the definition of jp whiskey just had to be bottled in Japan so many of the companies do just import some scotch from Scotland and mix/bottle it

 

[lakeman]

I agree. Unless he really wants Japanese, perhaps a decent Aussie whisky might be a nice surprise. Have a look at Helliers Road (Tasmania) or for something "modern" have a look at Starward (Victoria). Both have great product and I would consider them better value than a lot of Japanese options. The Japanese are great, but as @SOPOOR note, generally overpriced compared with many other options.

I agree.
Check this link Whisky Club Referral.
You don’t have to use my referral , use NMs ,but the current months offering (star ward with port barrel finish) is sure to be a beauty !
I remember the old days of picking up 12yo Yamazaki at the airport terminal for $80 and managed to do a tasting of the components at the distillery but now they are expensive and rare so many other options mentioned may be the next legend !

 

[Matt_01]

I am a fan of Japanese whisky most of the ones within your price point will be blends, as @SOPOOR mentions some of the distilleries/ companies do not actually produce their own whisky they just import, blend it, stick a Japanese label on the bottle and flog it off. IMO if as a gift you will not go wrong with anything from Suntory being Hibiki, Yamasaki or Hakushu which is more smokey than the first two. Nikka is my personal favourite and a great place to visit.
General

Tasting room

Free Tasting Room

 

[RooFlyer]

The choice may come down to how much you are wanting to spend.

If you're going to pay those big $$$ why not get him to try something non japanese.

I agree. Unless he really wants Japanese, perhaps a decent Aussie whisky might be a nice surprise.

Thanks for all that. My price range is between $80-$200 per original post. He doesn't 'want' anything in particular - its a Christmas gift for someone of Japanese heritage who I know likes Japanese whiskey.

And its going to be from DM's in Hobart as the exercise has got to be as simple for me .

But thanks for the tips re import/blend/flog etc. I'll try to avoid that, but at the end of the day, hopefully it'll be the thought that counts

 

[lakeman]

Go for the Yoichi !

 

[NM]

Thanks for all that. My price range is between $80-$200 per original post. He doesn't 'want' anything in particular - its a Christmas gift for someone of Japanese heritage who I know likes Japanese whiskey.

And its going to be from DM's in Hobart as the exercise has got to be as simple for me .

But thanks for the tips re import/blend/flog etc. I'll try to avoid that, but at the end of the day, hopefully it'll be the thought that counts

Given the criteria, How about the current Dan's Members Special that is available at New Town:

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_784466/hakushu-single-malt-japanese-whisky-700ml

 

[arbo]

I've had both Yamakazi and Nikka. Regarding pricing the best deal is to buy them when in Japan, otherwise the $A pricing is way off base.

Also regarding the best brands, it is like Scotch - focus on the Single Malts and stay away from the Blends

 

[Ade]

@RooFlyer - I work at Dan's and below sell fast. They are under (&around) the price range mentioned.

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_94467/the-shinobu-blended-japanese-whisky-700ml

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_700772/nikka-miyagikyo-japanese-whisky-700ml

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_95203/the-shinobu-pure-malt-japanese-whisky-700ml

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_94210/the-shinobu-pure-malt-10-year-old-japanese-whisky-700ml

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_859242/hibiki-harmony-whisky-700ml

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Or you could go for the way I pick one - the one with a pretty label !

 

[Ade]

the one with a pretty label

When someone asks me instore for a JP whisky reco - I jokingly use this statement "besides, it's good a cute label, so you can't go wrong" .. most customers crack up when I say that ... some choose to ignore it what I have just said

 

[RooFlyer]

So, I went with:

 

[arbo]

So, I went with:

View attachment 267422

Nice choice!