Top 10 Japanese Whisky

Toki means "time" in Japanese. It's a concept rich in meaning the world over, but particularly in Japan where respect for tradition and reinvention sparks a powerful creative energy. Inspired by that interplay, Suntory Whisky Toki™ brings together old and new -the House of Suntory's proud heritage and its innovative spirit- to create blended Japanese whisky that is both groundbreaking and timeless. Suntory Whisky was winner of Gold Medal at the 2017 Denver International Spirits Competition.

Given the name, it should come as no surprise that Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky is a harmonious blend of Japanese craftsmanship. Considered the paragon of Japanese whisky, Hibiki is a unique blend of several malt and grain whiskies that are meticulously added, resulting in an orchestra of aromas and flavors. Hibiki is the culmination of the Japanese art of blending and expert craftsmanship, with a healthy heaping of luxury thrown in for good measure. The brand was launched in 1989 to celebrate the brand Suntory's 90th birthday, and it's become Japan's most highly awarded blended whisky of all time. More than that, Hibiki takes the honor of being among the most prestigious whiskies the world over. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky is both delicate and luminous with a wonderful complexity. The amber-colored liquid smells of rosemary, rose, lychee and sandalwood, paving the way for a honey-like sweetness with notes of white chocolate and candied orange peel. As for the finish, Hibiki Japanese Haromy is subtle with a hint of Japanese oak, which lingers on the palate. It’s best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or with a bit of water added. Japanese whisky pairs remarkably well with Japanese food, so don't be afraid to drink it with sashimi, sushi or a strong fermented fish. It also makes a wonderful cocktail, such as the Sokaiya, which consists of Hibiki, bitter Sencha green tea and ginger liqueur. Buy Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky online through Drizly and have it delivered directly to your door or pick it up in store.

A Japanese single malt whisky, The Yamazaki 12 Year is known for its "noble" aroma. It hails from Kyoto, the capital of ancient Japan, which takes its nobility status up a notch or two. The Yamazaki 12 Year is considered the nation's premier single malt whisky, but it's safe to say that whisky fans around the globe appreciate this award-winning spirit. Since 1984, The Yamazaki Distillery has produced its Single Malt 12 Year. Its mash bill boasts 100 percent malted barley, and its cask-aged in The Yamazaki Distillery for 12 years before being bottled and arriving at your front door. So how does it Taste? This golden whisky boasts complex aromas and superior drinkability. The nose features hints of fruit, including peach, grapefruit, pineapple and candied orange, along with spices such as clove and orange. This whisky also has notes of rich coconut and tart cranberry, while the long finish features spicy ginger and cinnamon. This is a whisky made for savoring. Try it straight, served in a tulip glass or drink it on the rocks, poured over a whisky stone. If you're looking for something bubbly, mix it with club soda to add a hint of brightness to its mellow character and to bring out its oakiness. Or mix it one-part whisky with two parts water for a chilled-out finish to your day. Buy Yamazaki 12 Year Single Maly Whisky online at a great price through Drizly and have it delivered directly to your door or pick it up in store.

Nikka From The Barrel is a blend of multiple types of malt and grain that Nikka reserves. It was created to deliver full flavors and the richness of whisky "from barrels" which only blenders can sniff and taste. As the whisky contains so many characteristic components at a higher alcohol of 51.4%, it is essential to let the liquid "marriage" in used casks for 3-6 months for it to stabilize and harmonize. The concept of the unique short squared bottle is "a small block of whisky", which perfectly visualizes the rich and strong taste of the whisky inside.

Nikka operates two Coffey stills (named after its inventor Aeneas Coffey) within the Miyagikyo distillery for the elaboration of its grain whiskies. Imported from Scotland in 1963, these old stills yield a distillate with more flavour and depth than modern column stills, imparting a distinct character that defines the house blends. These two unique bottlings showcase the innovative spirit of Nikka.

The first bottling in Mars's new Nature of Shinshu range – each entry is named after the flora local to the eponymous distillery. Rindo means 'gentian' and has a distinctly aromatic character thanks to ageing exclusively in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry and Japanese wine casks.

Kaiyō Whisky Cask Strength is aged in the finest Japanese Mizunara Oak barrels for the entirety of its maturation process. All of our whiskies are made from malted barley, un-chillfiltered, and enjoy a three-month ocean maturation that helps bring out the unique flavors that can only be obtained from Mizunara Oak. Tasting Notes: Whereas Kaiyo Whisky “The Signature” 43% is more reserved, this bigger brother brings out more bold flavors. The nose explodes of vanilla, caramel and exotic spices. On the palate this whisky is robust and creamy with exotic and candied fruit flavors of melon, orange, and coconut. The fruit gives way to sweet oak, sandalwood and baking spices with a slight pepper note to balance it all out. Ratings / Awards: -Whisky Advocate Rating 90 pts -Best of Show WSWA 2019 -Best Japanese Whisky WSWA 2019 -Double Gold WSWA 2019

Discover Kikori Japanese Whiskey

Eigashima Distillery (known as White Oak Distillery in Japan), located in Akashi near Kobe, Japan, is both the country’s oldest and smallest whisky distillery. Founded in 1888, the tiny distillery runs on a seven person operation! Akashi is a coastal town residing on the edge of Osaka Bay. Due to Akashi’s unique climate with extremely hot summers and cool winters, as much as 7%-8% of Eigashima’s maturing whisky may be lost to evaporation each year (opposed to the 2% commonly seen in Scotland). While this lowers still the overall production yield, it also acts as a catalyst for the maturation process, as the temperature swings encourage interaction between the whisky and the wood. As a result, Akashi White Oak Japanese Whisky has a malty, citrusy aroma with scents of black cherry, toffee and oak. This whisky is made with a variety of wheat, barley and rye with hints of subtle peat. Notes of vanilla and pine nuts dominate the palate, and lead to a long, malty finish. Excellent introduction to the Japanese whisky category, those looking for a segway into Scotch, or an every day drinking dram. Pick up a bottle today!

Distilled from 100% malted barley through a Coffey still, which is rarely done given the complexity and skill required, Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky boasts notes of cinnamon, clove, lemon and rich oak, making it ideal for sipping neat or as the base spirit in a cocktail. The Coffey stills contribute the unique depth and flavor of the distillate, not found in modern column stills of today.