Recommend a Japanese Whisky

[Chef!]

Going to Chicago for New Years to see my in-laws. They're originally from Japan and I want to bring a nice bottle of Japanese Malt to celebrate.
Father-in-law enjoys the occasional sake and JD. If your budget was no more than $100 what would you purchase?

[Wave]

Unfortunately here in the US you've only got a couple choices, Suntory Yamazaki 12 & 18. The Yamazaki 18 is supposedly very good (I haven't tasted it myself) and you can wait till your in Chicago to get a bottle of it at Binny's ($84.99)


Cheers!

[mikeymad]

Unfortunately here in the US you've only got a couple choices, Suntory Yamazaki 12 & 18. The Yamazaki 18 is supposedly very good (I haven't tasted it myself) and you can wait till your in Chicago to get a bottle of it at Binny's ($84.99)
Cheers!

Chef... Yamazaki/Suntory 18 is really good (think Macallan, but very refined)... I would stock it if I didn't have too much stock...

Cheers,

[pkt77242]

I think the majority of us are going to vote for the Yamazaki 18, though the 12 is nice in it's own right. There really isn't anything else available unless you want to get something shipped to you from the UK.

Sean

[mikeymad]

Agreed Sean,

12yo Suntory is good...

and when the 12yo Hibiki blend gets here buy that for sure.

Cheers,

[dramtastic]

If all you can get in the States is Yamazaki 12 and 18, either of those will suffice depending on how much you wish to spend. Is there no Yoichi? If so I would take Yoichi 10/12/15 over Yama 12.

[Chef!]

Thank you gentlemen

[pkt77242]

If all you can get in the States is Yamazaki 12 and 18, either of those will suffice depending on how much you wish to spend. Is there no Yoichi? If so I would take Yoichi 10/12/15 over Yama 12.

No Yoichi DT, just the Yama 12 and 18 right now. Though I believe sometime next year there are more coming (I believe the Hibiki blend is one of them).

Sean

[Ganga]

Hibiki 12 is supposed to be hitting the US market. It is a wonderful blend. Like others, I'd choose the Yamazaki 18, a very well balanced and put together whisky.

[Chef!]

Yamazaki 18 it is! Thanks again everyone!

[mikeymad]

Cheers Chef.

It is crazy how perfect the Japanese whiskies are. Let us know what happens in the end.

Cheers,

[dramtastic]

It's bizarre that the japs haven't marketed their whisky's in the States with the same vigor that they have cars and electronics etc. They certainly have a good enough product.

[Wave]

It's bizarre that the japs haven't marketed their whisky's in the States with the same vigor that they have cars and electronics etc. They certainly have a good enough product.

I've always wonder that myself considering the amount of sake available, if not at least for the multitude of sushi bars and restaurants that have been popular here for years and with me too.


Cheers

[Gov]

I know I am in the minority, but I actually prefer the Yam 12 over the 18 a wee bit

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I'll go Yamazaki 18 also a smother whiskey so safer.

[Ganga]

It's all good Gov. After all some people like Loch Dhu. Who am I to argue with how they spend their money on whisky?

[Bulkington]

Going to Chicago for New Years to see my in-laws. They're originally from Japan and I want to bring a nice bottle of Japanese Malt to celebrate.
Father-in-law enjoys the occasional sake and JD. If your budget was no more than $100 what would you purchase?

Yamazaki 18 is amazing and Binny's in Chicago it's $25 to $45 cheaper than in New York.

[Bulkington]

It's bizarre that the japs haven't marketed their whisky's in the States with the same vigor that they have cars and electronics etc. They certainly have a good enough product.

I went to an amazing Yamazaki tasting recently for the Hibiki 12 blend, which they'll be marketing in the states ... by December? And the Yamazaki rep told us it's US liquor laws, not Japanese indifference, that keeps so many of their single malts out of the US market. Something about the wood it's aged in. I believe he said they're hoping to get Hakushu here in the near future.

Let's up Nikka's lobbying for its products as well.

The tasting! We got to try the four elements that went into the Hibiki 12 (some Hakushu, Yamazaki, grain alcohol, and either Hakushu or Yamazaki finished in plumb liquor--if memory serves), Hibiki 12, Yamazaki 12 and 18, and, finally, some 1984 Yamazaki (drool). All amazing. I've been expending so much effort and money trying Japanese whiskies you can't get in the States (thanks to The Whisky Exchange, Royal Mile, and, for a brief window, a more favorable exchange rate), that I've neglected the Yamazakis you can get here. Both the 12 and 18 can stand up to any scotch at their respective price points.

[Bulkington]

Going to Chicago for New Years to see my in-laws. They're originally from Japan and I want to bring a nice bottle of Japanese Malt to celebrate.
Father-in-law enjoys the occasional sake and JD. If your budget was no more than $100 what would you purchase?

Yamazaki 18 is amazing and Binny's in Chicago it's $25 to $45 cheaper than in New York.

That's "and at Binny's," natch.