Japanese whiskey is soaring in popularity; from April 2024, two major manufacturers, Suntory and Nikka, have announced price increases, resulting in further shortages. It is expected to take about five years to stabilize supply in the future.
This articlewill introduce whiskies that can be purchased at low prices to 8,000 yen, excluding 2024, Suntory, and Nikka.
- 1. what is Japanese whiskey?
- 2. [Low price range – up to 8,000 yen] Selection criteria
- 3. Recommended Japanese whiskeys from low price to 8,000 yen
- 1．Venture Whiskey Chichibu Distillery Co.
- 2.Hombo Shuzo Corporation Mars Whiskey
- 3.Fuji Gotemba Distillery, Kirin Brewery Co.
- 4.Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery
- 5. Gaia Flow Distilling Co.
- 6.SAKURAO B&D SAKURAO Distillery
- 7.Nagahama Romantic Beer Nagahama Distillery
- 8.Asaka Distillery, Sasanogawa Brewery Co.
- 4. at the end.
1. what is Japanese whiskey?
We usually use the term “Japanese whiskey” without paying much attention to it, but in fact, on February 16, 2021, the Japan Western Whiskey Brewers Association established a voluntary standard ” Standard for the Labeling of Japanese Whiskey “. First, a brief explanation of this standard is given below.
1-1. Voluntary Standards for Japanese Whiskey
The following criteria must be satisfied to meet the standards for “Japanese Whiskey” (1) to (4).
(1) Ingredients
Malt, grains, and water from Japan must be used as ingredients. Malt must be used.
(2) Production
Saccharification, fermentation, and distillation shall be performed at a distillery in Japan. The alcohol content at distillation shall be less than 95%. 
(iii) Storage
The product shall 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 date of packing.
Bottled
Bottled in Japan and the alcohol content at the time of filling must be at least 40%.
Since most whiskies that meet these criteria are priced over 5,000 yen (including tax), we have set special selection criteria as shown in the next section.
For a detailed article on the definition of Japanese whiskey, please click here.
2. [Low price range – up to 8,000 yen] Selection criteria
In selecting our recommendations for low-priced Japanese whiskies, as described above, we have limited the selection criteria to a specific price range because most of the products that meet the criteria are over 5,000 yen if we adopt the voluntary criteria for Japanese whiskies.
Criterion (1) Must be available for less than 8,000 yen (including tax)
The whisky must be available for purchase at online stores, etc. for less than 8,000 yen (including tax).
Criterion (2): Must be made from Japanese original whiskey.
Must use sake distilled and stored in Japan.
It is acceptable to use blends of sake imported from overseas.
Criterion (3): The labeling must be clear and not cause confusion among consumers.
If the product is blended with imported base whiskey from overseas, this must be clearly indicated on the product label, etc., so that consumers do not mistake the product for Japanese whiskey.
3. Recommended Japanese whiskeys from low price to 8,000 yen
1．Venture Whiskey Chichibu Distillery Co.
1₋1．Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended
The first recommendation is Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended (also known as Ichiro’s Malt White Label).
Ichiro’s Malt products are difficult to obtain even in Japan, depending on the product, and it is difficult to purchase them at a fixed price, but even among these Ichiro’s Malt products, they have become quite easy to obtain. It is possible to purchase this product at almost the regular price on the Internet.
As the product name “World Blended” states, it is a blend of original whisky made in five regions of the world (*), including Japan. The base liquors imported from around the world are casked at the Chichibu distillery and blended after at least one year of additional aging. We do not blend the imported base liquors as is, but always add our own touches, aging them in the Chichibu environment and adding the essence of Chichibu before blending. We recommend this bottle not only with a highball, but also with water or hot water with a gentle sweetness!
(*5 regions worldwide: Japan, Scotland, Ireland, USA, Canada)
| Product Name. | Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky White Label |
| Selling price | 3,500 yen (3,850 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt, grain) A blend of original whiskies made in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, U.S.A. and Canada |
| Place of production | Chichibu Distillery, Venture Whisky Co. |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported whiskey is used. |
For more information about Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended, please visit here.
1-2. Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Classical Edition
Next we introduce Ichiro’s Malt Classical Edition. This model has recently been increasingly seen at major liquor stores. The malt ratio is higher than that of White Label, and more peat is blended in. It is smoky and soft, and its complexity makes it a very drinkable product. Like White Label, this is also positioned as a “World Blended”. It shows the high level of Ichiro’s Malt’s blending technology.
| Product Name | Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Classical Edition |
| Retail price | 7,000 yen (7,700 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 48% (including tax) |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt, grain) A blend of original whiskies made in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, U.S.A. and Canada |
| Place of production | Chichibu Distillery, Venture Whisky Co. |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported whiskey is used. |
For more information about Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Classical Edition, please visit here.
Ichiro’s Malt is also famous for its three Leaf series (MWR, WWR, and DD ), but they are often purchased by lottery, etc., and are often priced above list price on sales sites. However, the two products introduced above are much easier to find at regular prices.
A new grain distillery is being constructed in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, and will be operational around the spring of 2025. We will keep an eye out for Ichiro’s Malt and other products made from the original distillate in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
2.Hombo Shuzo Corporation Mars Whiskey
2-1. iwai tradition
A commemorative blended whiskey released in 2010 to honor the achievements of Kiichiro Iwai, who supported the early days of Honbo Shuzo’s whiskey production.
The Honbo Brewery also takes bartenders’ opinions into consideration when deciding the selling price of its whiskey. The bartenders are conscious of the price so that the whiskey can be easily offered to customers at bars, and among recent Japanese whiskey companies, the company is one that sells its whiskey at a very conscientious price.
Iwai Tradition” is a heavy, matured product with the sweetness of grain characteristic of blended whiskies.
Even among Mars Whiskey products, as for “Iwai Tradition,” it is said that it is only wholesaled to liquor stores that belong to “Iwai Tomonokai,” and it is not available anywhere. However, as long as you pay for shipping, you can easily purchase it through mail-order sites such as Rakuten.
| Product Name | Iwai Tradition |
| Selling price | 2,000 yen (2,200 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 750ml |
| Alcohol content | 40% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt and grain) |
| Place of production | Mars Shinshu Distillery, Hombo Shuzo Co. |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported base sake is used. |
For more information about “Iwai Tradition”, please visit here.
2-2. Iwai Tradition Wine Cask Finish
From the same “Iwai Tradition” series, this blended whiskey is additionally aged (finished) for more than one year in casks used for “red wine” at Mars Yamanashi Winery and Mars Hosaka Winery.
It also has a fresh, berry-like tannic feel, and is a good introduction to red wine cask finishing at a reasonable price. It is available for less than 8,000 yen, although the price on the Internet has skyrocketed compared to the regular price.
| Product Name | Iwai Tradition |
| Selling price | 2,800 yen (3,080 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 750ml |
| Alcohol content | 40% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt and grain) |
| Place of production | Mars Shinshu Distillery, Hombo Shuzo Co. |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported base sake is used. |
For more information about “Iwai Tradition Wine Cask Finish”, please visit here.
2-3. Mars Maltage Koshi Hyaku Malt Selection
From the same company, Mars Whiskey introduces a blended malt whiskey. Kosumo” is named after one of the mountains in the Central Alps, “Kosumo Yama” (越百山).
This whisky is classified as “blended malt” or “vatted malt,” which is a blend of malt whisky only, without grain whisky as in blended whisky. This malt whisky expresses complexity and depth by vatting several different types of malt whisky using the blending technology of Mars Whisky.
It has a full, sweet aroma reminiscent of honey and caramel, with subtle smoky flavors, ripe fruit notes, and a gentle sweetness.
| Product Name. | Mars Maltage Koshibo Malt Selection |
| Retail price | 4,840 yen (4,400 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 750ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended malt whisky (made in England, made in Japan) |
| Place of production | Hombo Shuzo K.K. Mars Shinshu Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | Partially made from imported malt whiskey |
For more information about the “Mars Maltage Koshibaku Malt Selection”, please visit here.
Mars Whiskey currently has two distilleries, Shinshu andTsunuki. Tsunuki is used in the single malt and the Yakushima-aged “Y.A.” series, and the list price for the single malt is about 9,000 yen. We expect that many pure malts and other products using Shinshu and Tsunuki malts will be released in the future.
3.Fuji Gotemba Distillery, Kirin Brewery Co.
3-1. Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji
Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery introduces “Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji”. Single Blended” means a blend of malt and grain whiskies made at a single distillery, and is the first whisky in Japan to be recognized under this new designation.
The distillery is large in size and stores a wide variety of whiskies to ensure a stable supply, and everything from preparation to maturation is done at the foot of Mt.
The flavor of this whiskey is a harmony of juicy fruits like peaches and pears, and tart and sweet aromas.
| Product Name. | Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji |
| Selling price | 6,000 yen (6,600 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Single blended whiskey |
| Place of production | Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whiskey. |
For more information about “Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji”, please visit here.
3-2. Single Grain Whiskey Fuji
Next is Single Grain Whiskey Fuji, a blend of three types of grain whiskey (light, medium, and heavy). Each of them is distilled from Scotch style, Canadian style, and American style grain whiskey, and the distillery’s style is “clean and fruity” whiskey.
The taste also shows on the palate as sweet and spicy aromas like berries, marmalade, and cinnamon overlapping each other.
| Product Name. | Single Grain Whiskey Fuji |
| Selling price | 6,000 yen (6,600 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Grain Whiskey | Grain Whiskey |
| Place of production | Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product conforms to the Japanese Whiskey labeling standards. |
For more information about “Single Grain Whiskey Fuji”, please visit here.
3-3. Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Fuji
Single Malt Fuji has a sweet, aged aroma and a Fuji-like savory and fruity flavor expressed only with malt. The backbone of the flavor is bourbon barrel-aged base alcohol, and beer and wine barrels are also used to accentuate the aroma and flavor. The aroma, fruity, and sweetness of ripe apples, pears, and crème brûlée come together, and the aroma changes considerably when the water is added, so it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
| Product Name. | Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Fuji |
| Selling price | 6,000 yen (6,600 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Single malt whiskey |
| Place of production | Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the labeling standards for Japanese whiskey. |
For more information about “Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Fuji”, please visit here.
Fuji Gotemba Distillery is currently working on distilling malt whiskey using locally grown barley in Gotemba, and is working to realize the “ultimate terroir” of all-Fuji whiskey by around 2028. In addition to the three types introduced above, limited editions may be available in the future.
Fuji” and “Fuji-Sanroku” are the only products of Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery. Fuji-Sanroku is made from overseas sake, but it has the aroma and fruity taste that is typical of Fuji.
Please note that you may see whiskies with similar names.
4.Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery
4-1.JUNENMYO Noir
Image exhibit: Saburomaru Distillery official HP
.
This is Jennenmyou Noir from Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama Prefecture.
There is a place called “Junenmyou” near the Saburomaru distillery.
There used to be a field of rape blossoms where oil was collected to light the lamps.
We want to gently illuminate people’s hearts just like those lamps. With this wish in mind, we named the distillery “Jyunenmei.Reference: Saburomaru Distillery official website
The Saburomaru Distillery has become famous for its “Saburomaru Smoky Highball”. Like Jennenmei, this highball is made from Saburomaru malt whiskey and Scotch grain whiskey. There may be differences in blend ratio and composition, but both have a BBQ-like smokiness that is typical of the Saburomaru distillery, using inland peat that is different from that of Islay.
The peat in Jennenaki Noir is mild, and the original fruity and sweetness of the original wine matches the soft peat. For those who want to enjoy the peaty taste, highball is the recommended way to drink.
| Product name | Jennen Akira Noir |
| Retail price | 4,928 yen (4,480 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 46% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended Whiskey |
| Place of production | Saburomaru Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | Partially blended with imported malt whiskey (*The official website states that the product is blended using Saburomaru Distillery malt and imported Scotch grain whiskey) |
The Saburomaru Distillery has been the topic of many initiatives, including the “Tarot Series” of single malt Saburomaru, collaborative products with various games and other products, and the distillery model for the movie “Welcome to the Komada Distillery.”
If you like smoky whiskey, please try Single Malt Saburomaru.
For the products and information of Saburomaru Distillery, click here.
https://jpwhisky.net/?s=三郎丸
5. Gaia Flow Distilling Co.
5-1. Blended M
Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery introduces “Blended M”. This product is a blend of malt sake produced in Shizuoka and malt and grain sake produced in the UK. The name “Blended M” comes from “Meet,” where Shizuoka sake and English sake meet. Although only 5,555 bottles were available immediately after its release, it has become a standard product and is now available on a steady basis. It is a well-balanced blend of smooth Shizuoka sake, strong English malt and mellow grain, and a familiar taste.
The sweetness of banana, honey, and cream combined with spiciness and a strength of 48% make this a product that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Initial production was in 700 ML bottles, but the current distribution seems to be dominated by 500 ML bottles.
| Product Name | Blended M |
| Retail price | 3,180 yen（Tax included :3,498 yen) |
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Alcohol content | 48% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt and grain) |
| Place of production | Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported base spirit is used. |
For more information on Blended M, please visit
6.SAKURAO B&D SAKURAO Distillery
6-1. Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Sakurao
Introducing Single Malt Sakurao from the Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima Prefecture. Made in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, known as the town of Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, it has a woody, smoky aroma with a gentle tidal scent of the Seto Inland Sea. With a sweet and bitter taste of vanilla and raisins, and a mild salty peat that lingers, this is a bottle that can be enjoyed in a highball or on the rocks.
| Product Name | Single Malt Sakurao |
| Retail price | 6,000 yen（Including tax :6,600 yen) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Single malt Japanese whiskey |
| Place of production | SAKURAO B&D Sakurao Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the Japanese Whiskey labeling standards. |
For more information on Single Malt Sakurao, please visit
6-2. Single malt tokouchi
Also from the Sakurao distillery, single malt Togouchi.
Single malt is a little hard to find, but you can sometimes buy it at a fixed price on the Internet, so we introduce it here.
This product is made from the original malt distilled at the Sakurao distillery and matured at the Togouchi aging warehouse in the same prefecture. Single malt Togouchi, matured in the cool and verdant Togouchi Tunnel, has a refreshing aroma like fresh apples, vanilla, and mint, and is recommended for those who like a refreshing highball or to enjoy its refreshing and dry aftertaste on the rocks.
Sakurao Distillery currently releases two types of Togouchi: “Togouchi Blended Japanese Whiskey Togouchi” and “Single Malt Togouchi,” and the blended version is quite reasonably priced. The company offers four types of blended whiskey: “SAKE CASK,” “BBER CASK,” “PEATED CASK,” and “PREMIUM,” and it is recommended that you enjoy the premium series by moving on to the single malt series or the premium series to each CASK series.
| Product Name. | Single malt Togouchi |
| Retail price | 6,000 yen（Including tax :6,600 yen) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Single malt Japanese whiskey |
| Place of production | SAKURAO B&D Sakurao Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | This product meets the Japanese Whiskey labeling standards. |
For more information about “Single Malt Togouchi”, please visit here.
Single Blended Togouchi
7.Nagahama Romantic Beer Nagahama Distillery
7-1.AMAHAGAN Edition No.1
This is the first blended malt from Nagahama distillery in Shiga prefecture. It is a blend of in-house malt with overseas malt, mainly Highland malt. It is bottled at 47% alcohol by volume to maximize the malty flavor.
The aroma has a strong oaky, malty, vanilla and lemon aroma. The palate is fruity, with a malt presence and a moderate alcohol stimulation that gives it a youthful feel. And a gorgeous aftertaste passes through to the nose.
Recommended to drink straight or with soda. You can feel the richness of the malt and the fruity flavor.
Other types such as “Mizunara Finish,” “Wynwood Finish,” and “Peated” can all be purchased for less than 8,000 yen. If you are interested in finishing barrels or want to enjoy a different flavor than usual, this is also a good choice.
| Product Name | AMAHAGAN Edition No.1 |
| Price | 5,500 yen (6,050 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended malt |
| Place of production | SAKURAO B&D Sakurao Distillery |
| Voluntary standards | This product conforms to the Japanese Whiskey labeling standards. |
For more information about AMAHAGAN Edition No.1, please visit here.
8.Asaka Distillery, Sasanogawa Brewery Co.
8-1.YAMAZAKURA World Blended Asaka Distillery & 4
Introducing World Blended from Asaka distillery in Fukushima prefecture.
It has a sweet aroma and taste typical of Asaka, as well as herbal and spicy flavors, with malt-derived sweetness, a soft oaky taste, and a subtle peppery aftertaste.
The price is reasonable, but the taste is sweet without being peaty and not too strong, so it can be drunk neat with a highball or other drinks.
| Product Name | YAMAZAKURA World Blended Asaka Distillery & 4 |
| Price | 4,000 yen (4,400 yen including tax) |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Alcohol content | 47% alcohol by volume |
| Distillate / Composition | Blended whiskey (malt and grain) |
| Place of production | Sasanogawa Brewery, Asaka Distillery |
| Voluntary Standards | Some imported base sake is used. |
For more information about YAMAZAKURA World Blended Asaka Distillery & 4, please visit here.
4. at the end.
There are whiskies other than the products introduced here that are suitable for this criteria. but there are only a few single malt distilleries that sell at this price. In addition, although voluntary standards for Japanese whiskey exist in Japan, if you go abroad, you will find whiskeys that have never been seen in Japan at all sold in Japanese, or products that are not distilled in-house at all and only use foreign origin whisky.
There are currently more than 100 distilleries operating in Japan, and a variety of “Japanese whiskey” is still being produced.
The price range varies, as does the production process and distiller, but it is expected that there will be few products released by new distilleries in the future that will be available in this price range.
