exerda

Since folks are lumping Japanese whiskys into this thread, I'll share: At Crane & Turtle in DC the other night, as I walked in, I noticed a bottle of Karuizawa Asama on the shelf. Having read this piece in Departures about the Karuizawa whiskys, I definitely wanted to try it--and they had exactly one dram left. I know the Asama is their "low-end" whisky, but hey, we're talking a label that hasn't been produced since 2001, so finding anything to try from them is interesting, particularly when offered for a couple of dollars less than a couple of French whiskys they had on the menu.

It was definitely good, with a strong blend of flavors--a little light on the Scotch-like notes I'm used to from other Japanese whisky, and perhaps a bit oxidized (hey, it was the last dram), but I'm glad to have tried it. And I ended up with the bottle as a souvenir.


I picked up one of the Nikka Pure Malt 17s (don't recall which off the top of my head--I think it was the Taketsuru) at NRT a few weeks back for 3500 yen; I have subsequently seen it at several liquor stores in the US for anywhere from $95 to $140. I am quite pleased with that pickup.

Kagehitokiri

departures also had a good article on bars in tokyo (incl scotch)

french! wild.

kyee

Japanese whiskey's seem to be gaining popularity. At the NRT terminal last week, Hibiki and Yamazaki were all sold out. Went to my local BevMo (SF area) over the weekend, and no stock to be found.

My Costco has had some of both available at times during the past year, and I've stocked up on them at those times.

KIXman

Just a note for those looking to pick up Suntory whiskey (Hibiki 12/17/21/30, Yamazaki 12/18/25, Hakushu 12/17/21) at duty free stores in Japanese airports, it looks like sales of the regular products will stop at the end of March, and will be replaced by "JAPAN TRAVEL RETAIL limited edition" products. Probably the same product in more decorative (i.e. more expensive) packaging...

tentseller

That does not surprise me as most of the major Scottish brands are already selling more decorative limited edition products all over DFSs in Asia.

Kagehitokiri

i remember mortons club in london had japanese whiskey in 2006, and i thought that was interesting

torcross

Regarding Japanese whisky here is my search for Karuizawa whisky in the UK. I have also posted this on Scotch Malt Whisky forum.

I have a few bottles of Karuizawa and with them being so scarce and the price on the secondary market sometimes running into the £1000's I decided to use the internet to browse whisky menus from bars across the UK in the hope of snagging a bottle for the collection.

Although a few menu's did show that some bars did stock Karuizawa when the bar was contacted they did not have any it is stock, that is until I contacted a bar/restaurant in the City of London. They advertised they have a range of Japanese whisky including many bottles of Karuizawa.

I contacted them and asked if they had any full bottles, the reply was yes I then asked if I could buy the whole bottle as I collect it, the answer came back, no we don't sell full bottles.

Now knowing they had a full bottle in stock and the fact I would be in London that weekend I could not at least give the bar/restaurant a visit and try and talk them round.

Oh by the way the bottle in question was from the Noh range cask #8529 boubon cask and the price was £40 for a 50ml shot this = £560 + 12.5% service charge = £630 for the bottle.

Around 1pm on the Saturday with the wife and daughter hitting the shops I made my way to the bar restaurant and asked to speak to the manager, the manager came over and said he was the deputy he said the manager was in Germany so I told him my story and he said he will have to contact him.

I thought at this point he would just pretend to make the call and say well we cannot sell you the whole bottle. Anyway after he had a long conversation with his boss he said he will sell in as long as I paid cash, I only had £300 in cash so I was like Usain Bolt to the cash machine for the balance.

The guy checked every note and after what seemed an eternity I left with my liquid gold and put it straight into the hotel safe, my daughter saw the bottle and said it scares her (check it out you will see what she means)

A bottle of this now regularly sells for £1800 - £1900 at auction.

I was also fortunate to get a bottle of the new Karuizawa just released in the last few weeks.

I have left the name of bar out but have no problem supplying it but a quick search will come up with it very quickly.

Has anybody else got any stories of how they came to buy a dream bottle.

Cheers

Kagehitokiri

nice! when did you buy bottle?

Duke787

That's a bummer though makes sense given my experience at the HND duty free a couple weeks ago.

They were sold out of the 17 at the 8000Yen price point in the regular bottle and only had the limited edition (which looked virtually like the first bottle on the left of the travel edition picture) and was selling at 11000Yen. Still a good deal compared to US but not as good (and none of the major department stores or Yamaya had Hibiki 17 so duty free was the only option) and I would guess will be the new price point for the 17 at the airport.

torcross

believe it or not only in December.

djtsukasa

Agreed on the Yamazaki 12! But NRT was sold out last week, like previous posts mention. Had to settle for the "regular" Yamazaki which was 3000yen ($24 with the yen rate, score!) Still pretty good, but obviously not nearly as good as the 12.

Kagehitokiri

i think it was Yamazaki 12 that mortons club london had in 2006

they didnt know what they had

exerda

Yeah; I'm intrigued. I had seen Bastille in a few shops in the US, but have never tried it. The two that Crane & Turtle have on their menu:

They also have (had?) two Kavalans, but with the sudden attention for King Car's product... I dunno.

Kagehitokiri

http://craneandturtledc.com/menu.pdf

super "hip" ?

perthflyer

I've never been the biggest whisky drinker, but since moving here I've began to wean myself onto it...I feel like I have to

Oban's single malt is one of the few that I like. I'm currently in Aviemore after a ski day at Cairngorm waiting for my train and am having a drink at the bar and was recommended the Tomatin single malt (When I travel around Scotland I always ask for a local Scotch). I must say that it has gone down a treat and I shall be looking for a bottle of it back in Glasgow!