The third of the three Suntory distilleries. The Yamazaki, Single Malt Japanese Whisky, 12 YO Photo, courtesy Beam Suntory He resides in The Netherlands and in South Carolina. He is a Keeper of the Quaich, a Kentucky Colonel, Lifetime International Ambassador of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Founder of International Whisky Day, Honorary Ambassador of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Patron of the Whisky Festival North Netherlands. Hans Offringa is the author of more than 20 books about whisky, among which the bestseller A Field Guide to Whisky, and has been contributing editor of Whisky Magazine and American Whiskey for a number of years. There is some spiciness and fruitiness too, yes, pineapple, and towards the end a pleasantly bitter note of orange peel. Hans Offringa: Similar to this Hakushu, to me Aberfeldy has a slightly perfumy note, a tad incense-like, as one can detect in many Japanese whiskies.

The finish is medium length, with notes of vanilla, eucalyptus, and a little pepperiness. The palate is smooth and silky, with flavors of apple and pear, along with milk chocolate and spearmint and a touch of grilled pineapple. The smoke is heather/potpourri like rather than medicinal. There are fruit notes of peach and citrus and a hint of tropical fruits. On the nose, it offers the characteristic green/herbaceous, light smoky style typical of Suntory. This whisky is produced by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, nicknamed the mountain forest distillery, in the foothills of Mt. Hakushu, Single Malt Whisky, 12 YO Photo, courtesy Beam Suntory They’re not exact, but do you think you could tell them apart in a blind tasting? Even if they are not a perfect match, they will certainly be easier to find and considerably cheaper. If your favorite Japanese whisky tastes a bit like Scotch, that may be because there is Scotch in the blend.īelow are suggestions for Scotch whiskies that could substitute for some of Japan’s most highly sought-after whiskies. Diluted to bottling strength, it’s conceivable that up to 20% of the whisky bottled in Japan originated in Scotland. In 2017, Japan produced 132 million liters of whisky and imported well over 10 million liters of either whisky or its equivalent, both aged and partially aged, from Scotland. Single malt Scotch must be bottled in Scotland.

Pursuant to SWA rules, only blended Scotch can be exported in bulk. Since spirit aged for less than three years is not legally considered Scotch, those numbers are in addition to official Scotch whisky exports tracked by the SWA. In addition, over 80% of all Scottish whisky exports under three years of age go to Japan. AFP via Getty ImagesĪccording to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), in 2019 10 million litres of pure alcohol were exported to Japan, up from 8 million in 2018 and 3.9 million in 2017. Casks of whisky at a storehouse of Suntory Liquors' Hakushu distillery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi.

Japanese whiskey 12 year