Oct 18, 2019, 5:22 pm
Last edit by: armagebedar
This thread is about where to find whiskey in Japan. Extended discussion about where to find Japanese whiskey elsewhere is off topic and will be removed.
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Consolidated "Buy Whiskey in Japan" thread (was: Haneda/Narita Duty Free Whiskey)
Sep 9, 2019, 3:19 am
#1606
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Kanagawa
Programs: JAL Global Club, ANA Super Flyers
Posts: 238
Sep 9, 2019, 4:17 am
#1607
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
Besides what has already been said in regards to checking the usual stores, if you're interested in just drinking and not so much owning, you can alternatively taste the entire Suntory catalog all the way up to Yamazaki 25 / Hibiki 30 / Hakushu 25 and all the ones in between at the distillery less than an hour north of Osaka. The only hard part is getting a reservation (they don't accept walk-ins). The free course with access to the museum gets you access to the paid tasting counter where you can sample as you please. Sample prices are extremely reasonable, at just 3000 yen a glass for the above three.
Last edited by jashsu; Sep 9, 2019 at 5:24 pm Reason: Remove image, used it in a latter post
Sep 9, 2019, 8:24 am
#1610
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Besides what has already been said in regards to checking the usual stores, if you're interested in just drinking and not so much owning, you can alternatively taste the entire Suntory catalog all the way up to Yamazaki 25 / Hibiki 30 / Hakushu 25 and all the ones in between at the distillery less than an hour north of Osaka. The only hard part is getting a reservation (they don't accept walk-ins). The free course with access to the museum gets you access to the paid tasting counter where you can sample as you please. Sample prices are extremely reasonable, at just 3000 yen a glass for the above three.
Sep 9, 2019, 4:00 pm
#1612
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: FB, MM
Posts: 88
Besides what has already been said in regards to checking the usual stores, if you're interested in just drinking and not so much owning, you can alternatively taste the entire Suntory catalog all the way up to Yamazaki 25 / Hibiki 30 / Hakushu 25 and all the ones in between at the distillery less than an hour north of Osaka. The only hard part is getting a reservation (they don't accept walk-ins). The free course with access to the museum gets you access to the paid tasting counter where you can sample as you please. Sample prices are extremely reasonable, at just 3000 yen a glass for the above three.
Sep 9, 2019, 4:42 pm
#1613
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Sep 9, 2019, 5:15 pm
#1614
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
Reposting my last trip report from japanesewhiskyreview:
-----
Flew to Tokyo over the Labor Day weekend for a quick whiskey hunt and Hakushu Distillery visit. Mostly hit the places suggested in whiskey Richard’s Aug 2019 “where to buy” guide. Unfortunately didn’t find much I wanted to buy at the price points I wanted to buy at. Here’s the haul for the trip:
Kanosuke New Born 2018 – Whiskey Plus – $30
Akkeshi New Born Foundation 4 – Yoshiike Ueno (also widely available at Bic) – $39
Taketsuru 17 – Mega Donki – $224
Hakushu Distillery Exclusive – Hakushu Distillery – ¥1440
Yama 12 Mini – Hakushu Distillery (combo pack with smoked bacon) – Forgot
Hibiki 17 Mini – ANA F cabin – Free?
I arrived at Hakushu Distillery at 10:30am, and as I entered I saw Japanese customers on their way out, presumably having visited just to buy at the gift shop. So visit the gift shop right at opening if you want a shot at the 18/21 or 25/30 range bottles. Even Hibiki Harmony, of which there were 17 bottles at 10:30am, was all gone by noon. The highlight of the distillery visit and maybe the entire trip was having 15ml pours of Yamazaki 25, Hakushu 25, and Hibiki 30 for ¥8700 at the distillery bar.
On Tuesday I had a choice to either head to Narita early in the morning to check duty free or go to Ginza Mitsukoshi to participate in a Suntory aged whiskey purchase lottery. These are the same “airport exclusive” bottles sold at airport duty free (e.g. Kacho Fugetsu) and at the same MSRP. Since I had just two weeks earlier gotten two bottles of H21 and one bottle of Hakushu 18 from Narita relatively late in the day (once at 11am, and once at 2pm) I decided to head to the lottery event. Unfortunately my number was not drawn until the very last bottle, and only Hakushu 18 was available, so I decided to pass. Didn’t have any luck at the airport either– all the good stuff had been picked clean. Such is the whiskey hunting life.
On my flight back I had the cabin attendant pour the John Walker King George V and took the Hibiki 17 to go.
-----
Flew to Tokyo over the Labor Day weekend for a quick whiskey hunt and Hakushu Distillery visit. Mostly hit the places suggested in whiskey Richard’s Aug 2019 “where to buy” guide. Unfortunately didn’t find much I wanted to buy at the price points I wanted to buy at. Here’s the haul for the trip:
Kanosuke New Born 2018 – Whiskey Plus – $30
Akkeshi New Born Foundation 4 – Yoshiike Ueno (also widely available at Bic) – $39
Taketsuru 17 – Mega Donki – $224
Hakushu Distillery Exclusive – Hakushu Distillery – ¥1440
Yama 12 Mini – Hakushu Distillery (combo pack with smoked bacon) – Forgot
Hibiki 17 Mini – ANA F cabin – Free?
I arrived at Hakushu Distillery at 10:30am, and as I entered I saw Japanese customers on their way out, presumably having visited just to buy at the gift shop. So visit the gift shop right at opening if you want a shot at the 18/21 or 25/30 range bottles. Even Hibiki Harmony, of which there were 17 bottles at 10:30am, was all gone by noon. The highlight of the distillery visit and maybe the entire trip was having 15ml pours of Yamazaki 25, Hakushu 25, and Hibiki 30 for ¥8700 at the distillery bar.
On Tuesday I had a choice to either head to Narita early in the morning to check duty free or go to Ginza Mitsukoshi to participate in a Suntory aged whiskey purchase lottery. These are the same “airport exclusive” bottles sold at airport duty free (e.g. Kacho Fugetsu) and at the same MSRP. Since I had just two weeks earlier gotten two bottles of H21 and one bottle of Hakushu 18 from Narita relatively late in the day (once at 11am, and once at 2pm) I decided to head to the lottery event. Unfortunately my number was not drawn until the very last bottle, and only Hakushu 18 was available, so I decided to pass. Didn’t have any luck at the airport either– all the good stuff had been picked clean. Such is the whiskey hunting life.
On my flight back I had the cabin attendant pour the John Walker King George V and took the Hibiki 17 to go.
Sep 9, 2019, 6:00 pm
#1616
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,940
Sep 9, 2019, 6:17 pm
#1617
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Programs: Amex Platinum, DL Diamond 2MM, PriorityPass, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 469
I showed up without a reservation, and got lucky. A couple was there with a kid, so one of them had to stay back and I took the place. That said, there is access to the store and paid tasting even if one is not on the tour. I would suggest showing up as early as you can and then go to the shop the first thing, so you can get access to the meager daily quota of restocking. I didn't and therefore could find nothing worthwhile to buy. The 3000Y price is true... a great bargain! Had the time of my life and a very pleasant walk back to the train station (however, be careful: I fell asleep on the train and almost missed getting off at Shin Osaka on my return).
The other option I did not know about then is that you can order liquor on Amazon Japan. If you have confirmed your hotel, then you can order with an appropriate lead time and have the hotel hold shipment for you. This is what I am going to try on my next visit!
Cheers.
The other option I did not know about then is that you can order liquor on Amazon Japan. If you have confirmed your hotel, then you can order with an appropriate lead time and have the hotel hold shipment for you. This is what I am going to try on my next visit!
Cheers.
Sep 9, 2019, 6:24 pm
#1618
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Reposting my last trip report from japanesewhiskyreview:
-----
Flew to Tokyo over the Labor Day weekend for a quick whiskey hunt and Hakushu Distillery visit. Mostly hit the places suggested in whiskey Richard’s Aug 2019 “where to buy” guide. Unfortunately didn’t find much I wanted to buy at the price points I wanted to buy at. Here’s the haul for the trip:
Kanosuke New Born 2018 – Whiskey Plus – $30
Akkeshi New Born Foundation 4 – Yoshiike Ueno (also widely available at Bic) – $39
Taketsuru 17 – Mega Donki – $224
Hakushu Distillery Exclusive – Hakushu Distillery – ¥1440
Yama 12 Mini – Hakushu Distillery (combo pack with smoked bacon) – Forgot
Hibiki 17 Mini – ANA F cabin – Free?
I arrived at Hakushu Distillery at 10:30am, and as I entered I saw Japanese customers on their way out, presumably having visited just to buy at the gift shop. So visit the gift shop right at opening if you want a shot at the 18/21 or 25/30 range bottles. Even Hibiki Harmony, of which there were 17 bottles at 10:30am, was all gone by noon. The highlight of the distillery visit and maybe the entire trip was having 15ml pours of Yamazaki 25, Hakushu 25, and Hibiki 30 for ¥8700 at the distillery bar.
On Tuesday I had a choice to either head to Narita early in the morning to check duty free or go to Ginza Mitsukoshi to participate in a Suntory aged whiskey purchase lottery. These are the same “airport exclusive” bottles sold at airport duty free (e.g. Kacho Fugetsu) and at the same MSRP. Since I had just two weeks earlier gotten two bottles of H21 and one bottle of Hakushu 18 from Narita relatively late in the day (once at 11am, and once at 2pm) I decided to head to the lottery event. Unfortunately my number was not drawn until the very last bottle, and only Hakushu 18 was available, so I decided to pass. Didn’t have any luck at the airport either– all the good stuff had been picked clean. Such is the whiskey hunting life.
On my flight back I had the cabin attendant pour the John Walker King George V and took the Hibiki 17 to go.
-----
Flew to Tokyo over the Labor Day weekend for a quick whiskey hunt and Hakushu Distillery visit. Mostly hit the places suggested in whiskey Richard’s Aug 2019 “where to buy” guide. Unfortunately didn’t find much I wanted to buy at the price points I wanted to buy at. Here’s the haul for the trip:
Kanosuke New Born 2018 – Whiskey Plus – $30
Akkeshi New Born Foundation 4 – Yoshiike Ueno (also widely available at Bic) – $39
Taketsuru 17 – Mega Donki – $224
Hakushu Distillery Exclusive – Hakushu Distillery – ¥1440
Yama 12 Mini – Hakushu Distillery (combo pack with smoked bacon) – Forgot
Hibiki 17 Mini – ANA F cabin – Free?
I arrived at Hakushu Distillery at 10:30am, and as I entered I saw Japanese customers on their way out, presumably having visited just to buy at the gift shop. So visit the gift shop right at opening if you want a shot at the 18/21 or 25/30 range bottles. Even Hibiki Harmony, of which there were 17 bottles at 10:30am, was all gone by noon. The highlight of the distillery visit and maybe the entire trip was having 15ml pours of Yamazaki 25, Hakushu 25, and Hibiki 30 for ¥8700 at the distillery bar.
On Tuesday I had a choice to either head to Narita early in the morning to check duty free or go to Ginza Mitsukoshi to participate in a Suntory aged whiskey purchase lottery. These are the same “airport exclusive” bottles sold at airport duty free (e.g. Kacho Fugetsu) and at the same MSRP. Since I had just two weeks earlier gotten two bottles of H21 and one bottle of Hakushu 18 from Narita relatively late in the day (once at 11am, and once at 2pm) I decided to head to the lottery event. Unfortunately my number was not drawn until the very last bottle, and only Hakushu 18 was available, so I decided to pass. Didn’t have any luck at the airport either– all the good stuff had been picked clean. Such is the whiskey hunting life.
On my flight back I had the cabin attendant pour the John Walker King George V and took the Hibiki 17 to go.
Regarding your flight home, did you literally ask for the large bottle to go and they obliged? Or are you referring to the minis?
Sep 9, 2019, 6:25 pm
#1619
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
Another method is ship to konbini. Might be a bit risky if you have never done it before though:
https://medium.com/@lazypatric/order...i-adac3ad98c45
Last edited by jashsu; Sep 9, 2019 at 6:34 pm Reason: Clarification
Sep 9, 2019, 6:32 pm
#1620
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
Nice. I attended the Ginza lottery a few weeks ago and won a Hibiki 21. Have quite a few of them already but it was a fun experience nonetheless. Turnout was approx 50 people so odds were decent of winning, as long as you weren't after the 250k bottles.
Regarding your flight home, did you literally ask for the large bottle to go and they obliged? Or are you referring to the minis?
Regarding your flight home, did you literally ask for the large bottle to go and they obliged? Or are you referring to the minis?
And yeah I kinda was after the 250k bottles...No they provided minis. I was inspired by a post earlier in this thread where the poster got a "doggy bag" of H17 minis to go. Would have gotten a couple but the CA said it was the last one. I asked near the end of the flight out of consideration for the other pax. TBH now i'm wondering if they even have H17 in a full size bottle anymore. Last time I was served H17 on a F flight they just brought the drink out, no bottle.