Originally Posted by
Topcare
It is honestly hard to recommend a Japanese dram over some great single malts you can get for substantially less or the same as some nas stuff. It is pure price to me.
I agree. I get caught up in buying Suntory or NIkka products at a premium sometimes, even though I know that in Japan there is better value (with age statements) with Scottish single malt or bourbon.
Even at retail, NAS Yoichi and Yamazaki are priced at what a 12yr single malt would be.
For someone starting out, Suntory Special Reserve and Royal are two that are accessible. Nikka Frontier is now an option (though with imported malt too).