Our love affair with Japanese whisky is a serious affliction. A serious, delicious affliction. And while we’ve sampled nearly every Japanese whisky that’s available stateside, this is our first brush with Hibiki 21. It comes on the heels of our…
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We’ve had a real thing for Japanese whiskies of late. We’re not alone, as the American cocktail culture has embraced all things Japanese–from whisky to equipment to technique. But more than the allure of drinking faraway spirits, Japanese whiskies simply…
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I begin writing, as usual, with a full glass. I’m fond of doing so. I pour a glass of whisky and do not begin writing until after first enjoying a dram unsullied by the pressures of a blank page. The pressures to write something worthy of the casual reader’s attention as he browses his newsfeed…read more →
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We’ve spent time detailing the origins of Suntory, the beverage giant that pioneered Japanese whisky and introduced it to the Western world. Now let’s look at a figurehead whose passion was not profitability, but the perfection of his individual craft and the effect it had on the world around him. I’m speaking of Masataka Taketsuru…read more →
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Pouring the hot water into whisky, the fragrance suddenly rises in the light of a cold white morning. Lines from a poem by Japanese naturalist Bokusui Wakayama, reflecting on his oyuwari–a drink akin to a hot toddy–as he enjoyed it one cold winter morning. It struck me… read more →
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At the beginning of this series, I mentioned receiving a bottle of Hakushu 12 from Cocktail Enthusiast two years ago. Below is the review I wrote. I think it deserves to be revisited, not only because I have revisited the spirit myself, but also to reflect on the context of the time it was written… read more →
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This is part two of our ongoing series on Japanese Whisky. To get started, see part one. Suntory. The one that started it all. The beverage company, not the man (we’ll get to him next week.) Suntory’s saga begins in…
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When Cocktail Enthusiast sent me a bottle of Hakushu 12, a Japanese whisky produced by beverage giant Suntory, back in 2012, my attention was captured. Two years and many drams later, my interest has grown into an obsession, all too…
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Late last year, we reported that Anchor Distilling brought Nikka Japanese Whisky to the U.S. market. Namely, the Yoichi Single Malt 15YO and the Taketsuru Pure Malt 12YO. Well, these guys are at it again. This time, Anchor and Nikka…
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Back in November, we reported that Anchor Distilling Company inked a deal to bring Nikka Japanese Whisky to the U.S. market. The two expressions include Yoichi Single Malt 15-year-old and Taketsuru Pure Malt 12-year-old. Well, we’ve got a bottle of…
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Here’s some good news on the international whisk(e)y front — Anchor Distilling Company is bringing Nikka Japanese Whisky to the U.S. market. The two expressions coming our way are the Yoichi Single Malt 15-year-old and the Taketsuru Pure Malt 12-year-old….
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“Whisky, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it’s time to drink.” The words of one of my heroes, literary great Haruki Murakami. He’s a Japanese man who loves his Scotch. And he’s not alone. Ever since…
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This month Japan’s Suntory Limited introduced its HIBIKI 12 Year Old Whisky to the United States market. HIBIKI Japanese Whisky was first seen by many Americans in the film Lost In Translation, in which actor Bill Murray touted the brand for…
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