Japanese Whisky Dictionary Japanese Whisky Dictionary
Japanese whisky has become popular worldwide over the past few years. The production of old famous whiskies such as “Yamazaki” “Hakushu” “Hibiki” “Taketsuru” “Yoichi” and “Miyagikyo” has drastically decreased due to a shortage of original sake, and they are now being distributed in Japan at a higher price than the list price. Many whisky fans around the world are also enthusiastic about them, and they are distributed worldwide at prices many times higher than the list price.
I want to know more about Japanese whisky! I want to try it! We introduce the recommended Japanese whisky for over 10,000 yen, which our website “Japanese Whisky Dictionary” recommends for beginners to Japanese whisky. Japanese Whisky recommended by our website “Japanese Whisky Dictionary” for more than 10,000 yen.
Contents
- 1. What is Japanese whisky?
- 2. Selection criteria for High price range 10,000 yen or more
- 3. 10 recommended high-priced Japanese whiskies
- No.1 Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Glauber (List price: 16,500 yen, selling price: 53,780 yen)
- No.2 Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (List price 6,600 yen, sale price 14,000 yen)
- No.3 Taketsuru Pure Malt 17years old (old label) (List price 7,700 yen, selling price 37,000 yen)
- No.4 Single Malt Komagatake 2021 Edition (List price: 8,360 yen, selling price: 12,540 yen)
- No.5 Single Malt Yamazaki 12 Year Old (List Price: 9,350 yen, Retail Price: 22,000 yen)
- No.6 Single Malt Hakushu 12 Year Old (List Price: 9,350 yen, Retail Price: 24,000 yen)
- No.7 Single Malt Shizuoka Prologue K (List price 8,943 yen, sale price 20,500 yen)
- No.8 Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 First Edition (List Price: 13,750 yen, Retail Price: 29,800 yen)
- No.9 Single Malt Tsunuki Peated (list price 9,680 yen, selling price 14,800)
- No.10 Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY (list price 5,500 yen, selling price 10,659 yen)
- 4. At the end.
1. What is Japanese whisky?
We usually use the term “Japanese whisky” without paying much attention to it, but in fact, on February 16, 2021, the Japan Western Whisky Brewers Association established a voluntary standard for the labeling of Japanese whisky. First, a brief explanation of this standard is given below.
1-1. Voluntary Standards for Japanese Whisky
To meet the criteria for “Japanese Whisky” the following items (1) to (4) must be satisfied.
(1) Ingredients
Ingredients must be limited to malt, grains, and water from within Japan. Malt must be used.
(2) Production
Saccharification, fermentation, and distillation must be performed at a distillery in Japan. The alcohol content at distillation must be less than 95%. 
(3) Storage
The product must be packed in wooden casks with a content of 700 liters or less and stored in Japan for at least three years from the day following the day of packing.
(4) Bottling
Bottled in Japan in containers with an alcohol content of 40% or more at the time of filling.
2. Selection criteria for High price range 10,000 yen or more
Criteria (1) Must be available at 10,000 yen (including tax) or more
In online stores, etc., you can find 10,000 yen or more including tax The whisky must be available for purchase at
Criteria (2) Must be made from Japanese sake
Must be made from sake distilled and stored in Japan.
Sake blended with imported sake from overseas is not acceptable.
Criteria (3) The labeling must be clear and not confusing to consumers.
If the whisky is blended with imported spirits from abroad, the whisky must not be mistaken by the consumer for Japanese whisky. The label of the product clearly indicates this fact. We recommend our whiskies with confidence.
3. 10 recommended high-priced Japanese whiskies
Now, let us introduce 10 recommended Japanese whiskies that can be purchased for more than 10,000 yen, as recommended by our website, Japanese Whisky Dictionary!
No.1 Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Glauber (List price: 16,500 yen, selling price: 53,780 yen)
We proudly recommend the following whisky from the Akkeshi distillery in Hokkaido as the number one whisky in the high price range.
The number one product we proudly recommend in the high price range is “Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky 芒種（boushu）” from the Akkeshi distillery in Hokkaido.
The third release of the Akkeshi Distillery’s “Glow in the Dark” is a key malt whisky. The 24 Season Series The third release of the Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky is made from peated oak barrels as the key mal t. The “glauber’s grain” refers to the time when the seeds of rice, wheat, and other grains with glaives are sown, which is around June 5 every year. The label is fashionable with a cute and fragile feel, featuring a heike firefly flying over the wetlands of Akkeshi on the glauber’s grain.
It has a gentle aroma with a mixture of smokiness, citrus, and a sweet aroma derived from the oak. The creamy, soft mouthfeel with a viscous feel is alcohol-free, and the palate is full of citrus bitterness, sugar syrup-like rich sweetness, and peppiness. The aftertaste is pleasantly salty, peaty, and citrusy, with a tidal saltiness. There is none of the unpleasant sensation of a young sake, and everything from the aroma to the lingering finish is extremely high perfection. It is so perfect from the aroma to the aftertaste that one cannot help but take the next sip without even thinking about it. When a small amount of water is added, the youthfulness disappears and the sweetness increases. Even when served with soda, the full-bodied sweetness has a strong presence.
Currently, it can be found on mail order sites for nearly three times the price. We have also seen people who happened to be able to purchase it while touring liquor stores. Why don’t you try looking for it?
At our restaurant “BAR Shinkai” , we have a variety of 24-section series as well as 芒種(boushu). All of them are whiskies that you must try at least once, so please compare them with each other.
| Product name | Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky Glauber |
| Sales price | List price: 16,500 yen Sales price: 53,780 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 55% |
| Distillate / Composition | Single malt whisky |
| Place of production | Kenten Industrial Co., Ltd.Akkeshi Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information about “Akkeshi Single Malt Whisky 芒種(boushu)” , please visit here.
No.2 Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (List price 6,600 yen, sale price 14,000 yen)
In second place is Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries.
The second place went to “Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries” which was also selected in the higher price range. “Double Distilleries” is a blend of the Hanyu distillery, which closed in 2000, and the Chichibu distillery, which was established in 2008. The Hanyu distillery is a distillery that has already closed, so if the existing original sake is no longer available, it may no longer be sold.
The Hanyu distillery’s malt base sake is mainly made from puncheon casks and “sherry casks” while the Chichibu distillery’s malt base sake is made from quercus barrels, and is bottled with non-chill filter and natural color. The golden color goes well with the green leaves on the label.
The aroma is sweet like honey, with a hint of byakudan lurking in the background. The smooth mouthfeel reveals sweetness reminiscent of peaches and raisins, with a spicy note derived from Mizunara oak barrels. The finish is pleasantly spicy and smoky.
The selling price has nearly doubled, but it is by no means unaffordable. This is a bottle that you should get before the original bottles run out.
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries |
| Retail price | List price: 6,600 yen Sales price: 14,000 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 46% |
| Distillate / Composition |
Blended malt whisky |
| Place of production | Venture Whisky Corporation Chichibu Distillery |
| Voluntary standard | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information on Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries, please visit here.
No.3 Taketsuru Pure Malt 17years old (old label) (List price 7,700 yen, selling price 37,000 yen)
Third place goes to “Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Years Old” from Nikka Whisky.
This 17-year-old whisky from Taketsuru has won numerous awards. It is a blend of Yoichi and Miyagikyo malts, with Tadashi Sakuma’s blending skills on full display.
Vanilla, oak woody, and smoky aroma. It has a round mouthfeel with a dignified body. There is a strong impression of grain-like richness derived from malt, mature sweetness derived from oak, and fruitiness. It is as if Yoichi and Miyagikyo are asserting their individuality. The aftertaste is refreshing and clean, with a soft peat finish.
As mentioned in the mid-price range, including the old non-vintage Taketsuru bottles. Older Taketsuru is no longer available. The price is 7,700 yen. The regular price was 7,700 yen, an unbeatable price for a 17-year-old whisky, but now the price is almost 30,000 yen due to the end of sales. However, it is now close to 30,000 yen as it is no longer available. Mini bottles are also sold, so we hope you will try that or try it at a bar or other restaurant.
| Product name | Taketsuru Pure Malt 17years old |
| Retail price | List price: 7,700 yen Retail price: 37,000 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% |
| Distillate / Composition |
Pure malt whisky |
| Place of production | Nikka Whisky Corporation Yoichi Distillery Miyagikyo Distillery |
| Voluntary standard | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information about “Taketsuru Pure Malt 17years old” , please visit here.
No.4 Single Malt Komagatake 2021 Edition (List price: 8,360 yen, selling price: 12,540 yen)
In fourth place is the Single Malt Komagatake 2021 Edition from Hombo Shuzo.
The Komagatake Limited Edition has been released every year since 2018, but the 2021 edition has a very high production of 50,000 bottles, which is probably why the word “limited” is no longer used.
It is vatted mainly with malt base alcohol aged in bourbon barrels and sherry casks. It has aromas of persimmon, apple, and plum fruits, oaky notes, and slight smoky flavors. It has a slightly heavy medium body and a sweetness like apples, persimmons, and other fruits, maple syrup, and a slight smokiness. The lingering finish has a mellow aroma characteristic of sherry casks, maple syrup sweetness, and a rich cocoa flavor.
Although it is already out of stock at liquor stores and other retailers, it is available on Amazon and other online retailers at a slightly higher price than the list price. We have also heard that some people have been able to obtain it at the regular price by visiting liquor stores, so why don’t you try looking for it?
| Product name | Single Malt Komagatake 2021 Edition |
| Selling price | List price: 8,360 yen Selling price: 12,540 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| Distillate / Composition |
Single malt whisky |
| Place of production | Mars Shinshu Distillery, Hombo Shuzo Co. |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information on Single Malt Komagatake 2021 Edition, please also visit here.
No.5 Single Malt Yamazaki 12 Year Old (List Price: 9,350 yen, Retail Price: 22,000 yen)
Here it is, the “Single Malt Yamazaki 12 Year Old” from Suntory in fifth place.
This is a 12-year aged version of Yamazaki, one of Japan’s most popular whiskies. The malts that are suitable for tasting in the raw have been carefully selected from among the treasured malt casks of Yamazaki that have been aged for more than 12 years over the course of the four seasons. Puncheon, sherry, and oak casks are used for maturation.
This bottle gives the image of delicacy and refinement. The aroma is sweet like honey, peaty, and oaky. The aroma is complex, delicate, and deep, with layers of different aromas. It has a deep sweetness like bitter chocolate and a woody, spicy flavor characteristic of Quercus barrels. The sweet aftertaste, reminiscent of fruit, lingers long and strong, as if Yamazaki 12years old is trying to make its presence known.
It can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or with soda.
It is now quite scarce and hard to find. It is rare to find it in liquor stores, but…. It is sold at a very high price on mail order websites, but if you have not yet tried Yamazaki 12year old, which continues to fascinate the world, please give it a try.
| Product name | Single malt Yamazaki 12years old |
| Retail price | List price 9,350 yen Selling price 22,000 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% |
| Distillate / Composition |
Single malt whisky |
| Place of production | Suntory Spirits Limited, Yamazaki Distillery |
| Voluntary standard | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information about “Single Malt Yamazaki 12” , please visit here.
No.6 Single Malt Hakushu 12 Year Old (List Price: 9,350 yen, Retail Price: 24,000 yen)
Following Yamazaki, the sixth place goes to “Single Malt Hakushu 12 Years Old” from Suntory.
Hakushu is a 12-year old single malt in the mid-priced range. It is vatted with malt dist illed at the Hakushu distillery, which has a different character from that of the Yamazaki distillery and is called “the distillery in the forest”.
The woodiness, citrus and freshness of young leaves are still there, as if you were invited to take a bath in the forest. It has a slightly smoky, soft mouthfeel with a full-bodied sweetness and a refreshing crispness. It is perfect straight, on the rocks, or with soda.
Hakushu 12 Year Old Running out of Undiluted Sake The Hakushu 12 year old was released in June 2018 by the Sold out It was sold in limited quantities at the end of March 2021, but it did not take long for it to sell out. It is currently priced at nearly three times its original price on mail order sites. Like Yamazaki, Hakushu 12year old is sometimes offered at restaurants other than bars, probably due to its name recognition. If you see it, please give it a try.
| Product name | Single Malt Hakushu 12years old |
| Selling price | List price: 9,350 yen Retail price: 24,000 yen |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% |
| Distillate / Composition |
Single malt whisky |
| Place of production | Suntory Spirits Limited Hakushu Distillery |
| Voluntary standard | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whisky. |
For more information about “Single Malt Hakushu 12 Years Old” , please visit here.
No.7 Single Malt Shizuoka Prologue K (List price 8,943 yen, sale price 20,500 yen)
Seventh place goes to “Single Malt Shizuoka Prologue K” from Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery.
Gaiaflow Distilling Co. won the auction for the now-defunct Karuizawa distillery. Available equipment in the Karuizawa distillery was repaired and refurbished. Distiller No. 3 is Distiller K The third distiller will be revived as This is its memorable first whisky.
It is made from over 50% Japanese barley malt and vatted with malt from England and Canada. The aroma has the freshness of Japanese citrus and the sweetness of grains, but it also has a slightly dry aroma including the smell of cemedine. The mouthfeel is powerful in pr