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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FlyerTalk is not a marketplace and nothing may be offered for sale or barter. The exception to this rule is those items in the Coupon Connection (C.C.) Forum, which is governed by specific posting rules, and access to which is granted once you have achieved 180 posts and 180 days as a member.
Consolidated "Buy Whiskey in Japan" thread (was: Haneda/Narita Duty Free Whiskey)
Jul 31, 2020, 9:48 pm
#2267
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 813
My dad showed me some of his limited edition bottles from yamazaki and hakushu made for www shop in osaka and some owners bottles he got from some small restaurants in proximity to yamazaki. Some cool 300ml, some 180ml, some 700ml....so many odd things I'd never seen. In addition, many 18 and 12 and 10 year from yoichi, yamazaki, miagakyo, and even a little bottle of 10 year old hakushu. His comment, son, there will always be another must have object in your life....your mission.....find the object before the hoards. He said too many hoards looking for largely irrelevant whiskey in japan. Haha, he also sold some fake crap at auction...sorry, I mean label from Japan but clearly not.
Aug 7, 2020, 7:47 am
#2270
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 29
Then again, Liquor Mountain bear my house charges 20,000 for Yama 12 so it’s not surprising.
Aug 7, 2020, 4:20 pm
#2271
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Fair warning, low rent palate here.
To me, Toki is not very good and I like Kakubin. My feeling of Toki is it's mixer level quality and designed to capitalize off of the popularity of Japanese whisky and the Suntory name. Very happy with NFTB when it's available but as you find it, like most actual Japanese whiskies in the US, it is quite steep both compared to prices in Japan and to non-Japanese whiskies.
To me, Toki is not very good and I like Kakubin. My feeling of Toki is it's mixer level quality and designed to capitalize off of the popularity of Japanese whisky and the Suntory name. Very happy with NFTB when it's available but as you find it, like most actual Japanese whiskies in the US, it is quite steep both compared to prices in Japan and to non-Japanese whiskies.
Aug 8, 2020, 1:03 am
#2272
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Its a highball whisky, and also marketed as such. Personally I think it makes a great highball, which is otherwise difficult to find in the US.
Last edited by invalyd; Aug 9, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Aug 9, 2020, 6:59 am
#2274
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 29
While curious enough to grab a dram if I come across it at a bar, I won’t bite either, not for a world blend.
Aug 9, 2020, 9:59 am
#2275
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
By the way, it has a composition of much more malt than grain compared to the typical Ichiro's white label.
I have heard it is delicious.
Last edited by invalyd; Aug 9, 2020 at 10:07 am
Aug 9, 2020, 5:08 pm
#2276
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
Fair warning, low rent palate here.
To me, Toki is not very good and I like Kakubin. My feeling of Toki is it's mixer level quality and designed to capitalize off of the popularity of Japanese whisky and the Suntory name. Very happy with NFTB when it's available but as you find it, like most actual Japanese whiskies in the US, it is quite steep both compared to prices in Japan and to non-Japanese whiskies.
To me, Toki is not very good and I like Kakubin. My feeling of Toki is it's mixer level quality and designed to capitalize off of the popularity of Japanese whisky and the Suntory name. Very happy with NFTB when it's available but as you find it, like most actual Japanese whiskies in the US, it is quite steep both compared to prices in Japan and to non-Japanese whiskies.
I bought a bottle for a friend in the USA, without tasting it. Now I am looking to purchase a bottle IN Japan so at least I can say I tried it. Is this an export-only item?
Aug 9, 2020, 5:45 pm
#2277
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 278
I have a bottle waiting for me in Japan. Its being sold elsewhere for 25,000+ so I think you should grab it at retail. Especially since the whole concept of the release is to help out the local bars, I don't mind paying a bit more.
By the way, it has a composition of much more malt than grain compared to the typical Ichiro's white label.
I have heard it is delicious.
By the way, it has a composition of much more malt than grain compared to the typical Ichiro's white label.
I have heard it is delicious.
Aug 11, 2020, 12:38 am
#2278
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TYO
Programs: UA MM *G, NH Plat/SFC, HH Diamond, GE
Posts: 238
Hundreds of bottles available on Japan auction sites, selling in the 18,000 - 20,000 yen range.
Aug 13, 2020, 5:21 pm
#2280
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 278
Yea I miss the good old time! But one thing to consider, the exchange rate was 1 USD to ~70 yen back then. Which would put Hakushu 12 to $80-85 USD range. I would say the best year was 2013 - 2015 when a lot of things were still readily available (Yamazaki 12 was 7300 yen, 2014 LE was 8000 yen, H17 was 9,000 yen) and exchange rate was 1 USD to ~120 yen! Oh well, it's 2020 now and nothing good is on the shelves...