By Richard Thomas Rating: C+ February 2021 saw the first-ever major reform in Japanese Whisky law, which was rather notorious in world whisky circles for having essentially no laws. When it came to Japanese Whisky, one could count on the two giants of Suntory and Nikka doing things in keeping with international standards, out of respect for tradition and protecting ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B It’s been several years since the world became aware of how good Japanese whisky can be, and how the category has changed in that time. The two big names, Nikka and Suntory, have found themselves painfully pinched by the depletion of their stocks of aged and ultra-aged whisky; I’ve long said that anyone who wants ...

Drawing on their more than 80 years of experience in whisky blending, Nikka has introduced Nikka Days, a whisky for everyday drinking occasions. Imported by San Francisco’s Hotaling & Co., NIKKA DAYS features bright and modern packaging to reflect the floral and smooth whisky within and will be available for purchase at select retailers for $49.99, beginning in July 2020. ...

The moment the first drop of whisky came off the still at Miyagikyo Distillery was an intense one. Founder Masataka Taketsuru, considered by most as the Father of Japanese Whisky, tasted the first drop. He is said to have whispered under his breath, “no…,” frightening everyone around him! But what he meant was, “No, it’s completely different from Yoichi.” And ...

Updated December 25, 2018 By Paer Johansson Rating: A- From The Barrel is a Japanese blend of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts with grain whisky. The whisky is married after the blending in used barrels for a few months, in order to ensure the whisky is balanced and develops its full flavors. It is bottled at a very decent 51.4% ...