Japanese Whisky?

[LibertyBar]

Well.

Since Japanese whiskies are now as good or better than many Scotch varietals, what are your thoughts on them?

I'm from a bar named Liberty here in Sunny Seattle, we have a massive liquor collection and we currently have five or six Japanese labels right now.

Suntory Hakushu 12
Suntory Hibiki 17yr
Suntory Yamazaki 18yr
Nikka From The Barrel
Nikka Yoichi 15

Each one is absolutely fantastic. From the delicate and floral Hakushu to the wonderfully powerful Yoichi - I have to say that there's a body and a flavor derived from the Japanese oak that has for now replaced my attraction to Scotch.

Crazy, right? But, besides the fact that it's different, there's something so incredibly satisfying about these whiskies. Perhaps its my palate, but...the next few years should be very, very interesting as these whiskies make it stateside. They've been in the UK/Europe for a long time, but they're finally making it over here, and I look forward to it.

[dramtastic]

Since Japanese whiskies are now as good or better than many Scotch varietals,

Suntory Hakushu 12
Suntory Hibiki 17yr
Suntory Yamazaki 18yr
Nikka From The Barrel
Nikka Yoichi 15

Each one is absolutely fantastic.

Crazy, right?

Firstly welcome, and secondly not crazy to me!

[dramtastic]

I'm from a bar named Liberty here in Sunny Seattle, we have a massive liquor collection and we currently have five or six Japanese labels right now.

Suntory Hakushu 12
Suntory Hibiki 17yr
Suntory Yamazaki 18yr
Nikka From The Barrel
Nikka Yoichi 15

That's great, only a few thousand(or more) varieties to go!

[dramtastic]

Suntory Hakushu 12
Suntory Hibiki 17yr
Suntory Yamazaki 18yr
Nikka From The Barrel
Nikka Yoichi 15

I have to say that there's a body and a flavor derived from the Japanese oak that has for now replaced my attraction to Scotch.

Mmmmm, 98% of Yoichi malts are matured in American white oak barrels with 2% a mix of sherry butts and Japanese oak.
Yamazaki 80% American white oak barrels, 15% Spanish ex-oloroso sherry butts and 5% Japanese oak
Hakushu the same percentages as Yamazaki.

Anyway, glad your enjoying the peculiar pleasures of Japanese whiskys and that your bar is promoting them. and welcome to the future