Nikka Yoichi 10 yo (45%, OB +/- 2023)
Category Archive: * Japan
Japanese whiskies are crafted in the Scottish style and comes in all kinds of profiles. Some lie between Lowland and Speyside in style, but sometimes they can be heavier, or peated. In the case of Karuizawa, it is mostly associated with dark sherry maturation.
Japanese whisky is highly regarded and received plenty of awards. No need to tell you prices have skyrocketed. However there is currently also a shortage of whisky in Japan – major producers like Nikka and Suntory have been forced to discontinue some of their (aged) expressions and replace them with younger versions – a situation which will probably continue until 2020-2025.
Shizuoka United S (50,5%, OB 2023, first edition, 5000 btl.)
Shizuoka Pot Still K – imported barley (55,5%, OB 2023, first edition, 5000 btl.)
Shizuoka Pot Still W 5 yo 2018 (55,6%, OB for Asta Morris 2023, bourbon barrel #734, 50 cl, 325 btl.)
Hatozaki Pure Malt Whisky (46%, OB +/- 2023)
Kujira Ryukyu Whisky 12 yo (40%, OB +/- 2022)
Shizuoka K – 3 yo 2019 (52,7%, OB for Vintage-Whisky 2023, ex-bourbon cask #497, 44 btl.)
Shizuoka W – 3 yo 2019 (53,5%, OB for Vintage-Whisky 2023, ex-bourbon cask #494, 44 btl.)
Kanosuke single malt (48%, OB 2023, ex-Shochu American oak casks)
Shizuoka Pot Still K (55,5%, OB 2022, first edition, 5000 btl.)
Shizuoka Pot Still W (55,5%, OB 2022, first edition, 5000 btl.)
Chichibu 2015 (59,5%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2021, bourbon cask #5262, 233 btl.)
Chichibu 2014 (59,5%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2021, IPA beer cask #11049, 261 btl.)
Chichibu 2014 (59,5%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2021, Chibidaru quarter cask #3508, 119 btl.)
Chichibu London Edition 2021 (51,5%, OB for The Whisky Show 2021, peated + unpeated, bourbon barrels, 1859 btl.)
Amahagan Yamazakura Wood Finish (47%, OB 2019)
Japanese whisky review: Mars Shinshu ‘Komagatake’ 3 yo 2018 (59%, OB for Kirsch Import 2021, American virgin oak cask #4047)
Nikka Yoichi Non-Peated (47%, OB 2021, 10.000 btl.)
Nikka Miyagikyo Peated (48%, OB 2021, 10.000 btl.)
Chichibu 10 yo ‘The First Ten’ (50,5%, OB 2020, 5000 btl.)
Shizuoka Prologue W (55,5%, OB 2021, bourbon and virgin oak casks, 5000 btl.)
Yamazaki 12 yo (43%, OB +/- 2021)
Shizuoka 3 yo ‘Prologue K’ (55%, OB 2020, bourbon barrels)
Chichibu 2012 (60,8%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2019, refill hogshead #2089, 349 btl.)
Blended Japanese Whisky #1 21 yo (47,7%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company 2019, 1799 btl.)
Chichibu 2011 (59,2%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 20th Anniversary 2019, ex-Coedonado beer cask #3301, 224 btl.)
Nikka Days (40%, OB +/- 2019)
Karuizawa Ambassadors’ Collection 1972 – 1999 (59,1%, Elixir Distillers for The Ben, sherry casks, 2 btl.)
Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve (46,5%, OB 2018)
Karuizawa 50 Year Old (65,2%, Elixir Distillers, 2 btl.)
The Kurayoshi Pure Malt ‘Sherry Cask’ (43%, OB +/- 2018)
Yamazakura Blended Whisky (40%, OB 2016) – 50/100
Yamazaki ‘The Owner’s Cask’ 1995 (54,9%, OB for La Maison du Whisky 2010, sherry butt #5J 3020, 420 btl.) – 89/100
Karuizawa Asama 1999 + 2000 (46%, OB 2012) – 82/100
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt (45%, OB 2016, 70 cl.) – 82/100
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt (45%, OB 2016, 70 cl.)
Nikka Yoichi (43%, OB +/- 2015, 50cl)
Karuizawa 1980 (61,6%, OB for Speciality Drinks 2015) – 89/100
Karuizawa 29 yo 1984 (56,7%, OB for Cask Norway & Cask Sweden, Oloroso butt #7802, 577 btl.) – 93/100
Fujikai 10 yo (43%, OB 2015, 8808 btl., 50 cl.)
Karuizawa 33 yo 1981 (54,5%, OB for LMdW 2014, sherry cask #152, 566 btl.) – 93/100
Nikka Taketsuru 35 yo (43%, OB 2008, 1000 btl.) – 92/100
Karuizawa 1983 ‘Nepal Appeal’ (59%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2014, sherry cask #3557, 50 btl.) – 93/100
Karuizawa 19 yo 1988 (58,3%, The Whisky Fair 2007, refill butt, 480 btl.) – 85/100
Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve (43%, OB 2014) – 87/100
Yamazaki 12 yo (43%, OB 2013) – 81/100
Karuizawa 1981 (58,3%, OB for LMdW 2011, sherry butt #6207, 543 btl.) – 89/100
Karuizawa 1984 (61,6%, OB 2012, sherry butt #3692, 359 btl.) – 87/100
Karuizawa 31 yo 1981 (62,8%, OB for Prineus 2012, Sakura series, sherry cask #158, 45 btl.) – 94/100
Chichibu ‘On The Way’ (58,5%, OB 2013, 9900 btl.) – 83/100
Karuizawa Vintage 45 yo 1967 (59,6%, OB for Taiwan 2012, Aqua of Life, sherry butt #2725, 310 btl.) – 94/100
Hakushu ‘Distiller’s Reserve’ (43%, OB 2014) – 83/100
Hanyu ‘The Joker’ (57,7%, OB 2014, multi-vintage, 3690 btl.) – 91/100
Karuizawa 29 yo 1984 (56,8%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2013, first fill sherry cask #3663, +/- 250 btl.) – 91/100
Karuizawa 1971 (62,8%, OB for Taiwan 2012, cask #7267, 467 btl.) – 92/100
Yamazaki Puncheon (48%, OB 2013) – 84/100
Karuizawa 28 yo 1984 (58%, OB for P9.com.tw 2012, sherry butt #3186, 540 btl.) – 91/100
Karuizawa 48 yo 1964 (57,7%, Number One Drinks for WealthSolutions 2013, cask #3603, 143 btl.) – 95/100
Karuizawa 35 yo 1977 (65,9%, OB 2012, sherry butt #4010, 427 btl.) – 93/100
Karuizawa 31 yo 1980 (56,4%, OB 2011, sherry butt #6568) – 78/100
Karuizawa 34 yo 1977 (64,1%, OB for Taiwan 2011, sherry butt #3584, 169 btl.) – 90/100
Karuizawa 27 yo 1984 (57,7%, OB for Japan 2012, cask #2961, 350 btl.) – 91/100
Tasting of Japanese whisky, hosted by Stefan Van Eycken and organized by The Bonding Dram – 22/08/2013
Karuizawa 28 yo 1983 ‘Noh’ (57,2%, No.1 Drinks 2012, sherry butt #7576, 571 btl.) – 93/100
Karuizawa 31 yo 1981 (66,3%, OB for The Nectar 2013, sherry butt #4333, 94 btl.) – 91/100
Karuizawa 28 yo 1984 (59,3%, N°1 Drinks for LMdW 2012, sherry butt #7975, 445 btl.) – 91/100
Karuizawa 12 yo 2000 (64,3%, OB for LMdW 2013, sherry butt #166) – 85/100
Nikka Miyagikyo 9 yo 2002 (62%, OB 2012, refill butt #101127, 517 btl.) – 88/100
Karuizawa 30 yo 1981 (55,8%, N°1 Drinks for LMdW, sherry butt #162, 584 btl.) – 94/100
Karuizawa 42 yo 1970 (64,3%, Number One Drinks 2012, sherry butt #6177, 326 btl.) – 92/100
Karuizawa 42 yo 1969 (61,3%, Number One Drinks 2012, bourbon cask #8183) – 90/100
Nikka Miyagikyo 15 yo (45%, OB 2011) – 84/100
Karuizawa 21 yo 1991 ‘The School of Malt – lesson III’ (63,7%, No.1 Drinks 2012, sherry butt #9091, selected by Dave Broom) – 87/100
Karuizawa 31 yo 1981 (60,0%, Shinanoya 2012, bourbon barrel #4961, 228 btl.) – 86/100
Hanyu 12 yo 2000 (57,5%, Ichiro’s Malt for Shinanoya 2012, red oak heads hogshead finish, cask #360, 309 btl.) – 90/100
Karuizawa 11yo ‘Spirit of Asama’ (48%, The Whisky Exchange 2012, vatting) – 82/100
Karuizawa 11yo ‘Spirit of Asama’ (55%, The Whisky Exchange 2012, vatting) – 85/100
Karuizawa 1984 (64,5%, The Whisky Exchange 2012, first fill sherry cask #4021) – 90/100
Karuizawa 1982 (46%, first fill bourbon cask #8497) – 88/100
Karuizawa 27 yo ‘Multi-vintages #1’ (59,1%, OB 2011, sherry butt & bourbon casks #6405, 4973, 8184, 6437, 1500 btl.) – 91/100
Yamazaki 25 yo (43%, OB +/- 2010) – 87/100
Yamazaki ‘Vintage Malt’ 1980 (56%, OB 2004, refill sherry) – 90/100
Nikka Yoichi 20 yo (52%, OB 2008, 22G10B) – 91/100
Nikka Miyagikyo 23 yo 1988 (57%, OB 2011, cask #92414) – 88/100
Karuizawa 32 yo 1977 (60,7%, OB 2010, cask 4592, 190 btl.) – 91/100
Akashi White Oak 5 yo (45%, OB 2011) – 67/100
Nikka Pure Malt White (43%, OB 2010, 50cl) – 75/100
Chichibu Newborn 4 months 2008 (62,5%, OB 2008, bourbon barrel #126) – 65/100
Yamazaki 18 yo (43%, OB 2008, L8CP3)
Nikka ‘From the barrel’ (51,4%, OB 2010, 50cl) – 80/100
Hakushu 12 yo 1997 (56%, OB for Whisky-Live 2009, hogshead BJ41521) – 81/100
Karuizawa 1991 (62,5%, OB 2007, sherry cask #3318) – 86/100
Yamazaki 12 yo 1996 (60%, OB for Whisky-Live Japan 2009, sherry butt AX70012) – 86/100
Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve (46%, OB 2010) – 78/100
Nikka Miyagikyo 1988 (50%, OB 2008, 1500 btl.) – 88/100
Karuizawa 19 yo 1991 (60,8%, OB 1991, sherry butt #3206) – 86/100
Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (46%, OB 2010) – 81/100
Hanyu 19 yo 1991 (56%, Nectar of the Daily Drams, cask #377, Red Oak heads) – 88/100
Nikka 12 yo ‘Single coffey malt’ (55%, OB 2008, 3027 btl.) – 73/100
Karuizawa 1968 (61,1%, OB 2010 for LMdW, sherry cask #6955, 210 btl.) – 90/100
Nikka Taketsuru 21 yo (43%, OB) – 83/100
Hanyu 21 yo 1988 (55,6%, No.1 Drinks 2009, sherry butt #9306, 625 btl.) – 90/100
Karuizawa 19 yo 1990 (60%, OB for Whisky Live 10th Anniversary 2009, sherry butt #6446) – 85/100
Karuizawa 27 yo 1982 (56,1%, OB 2009 for The Whisky Exchange 10th Anniversary, sherry cask #2748) – 90/100
Karuizawa 42 yo 1967 (58,4%, OB 2009 for LMdW & TWE, cask #6426) – 95/100
Nikka Pure Malt Black (43%, OB 2009, 50cl) – 82/100
Karuizawa 1985 (60,8%, OB 2009, cask #7017) – 89/100
Hakushu 21 yo 1981 (60,7%, Single Malt Whisky Society 2003, SMWS 120.1, 373 btl.) – 86/100
Karuizawa 32 yo 1976 Noh (63%, OB 2009, sherry butt #6719, 486 btl.) – 92/100
Nikka Yoichi 1991 (58%, OB 2009 for La Maison du Whisky, single cask #129374) – 92/100
Hakushu 20 yo 1989 (62%, OB 2009 for The Whisky Exchange, sherry butt #9O 50021) – 90/100
Karuizawa ‘Wait La Mazurka’ 31 yo 1977 (62,7%, Daily Dram 2009) – 91/100
Yamazaki 1990 (60%, OB 2008, sherry cask #0N70645, 471 btl.) – 88/100
Yamazaki 15y 1982 (45%, OB 1997, Sherry Wood) – 87/100
Karuizawa 1988 (59,8%, OB 2006, cask #3397) – 87/100
Karuizawa 36yo 1972 (65%, OB 2008, cask #7290, Japanese wine cask, 528 btl.) – 92/100
Nikka Yoichi 10y (45%, OB, batch 08G34B)