Oct 18, 2019, 5:22 pm

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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)

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Mar 6, 2017, 9:35 pm

#511

Postal007

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold

Posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by gokickrocks

Same here. Hopefully I can find one while in Japan towards the end of the month.

Sorry guys, it is B I G (not BIC, as there is no BIC Camera in Ginza), link is here:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/%EF%BD%82%E...A4%AE%E5%8C%BA

If you pull up Ginza on Google Maps and search for liquor stores, it should show up. It is right around the corner from Shinanoya food mentioned on this forum.

Mar 8, 2017, 2:37 pm

#512

Jigen666

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 449

Quote:

Originally Posted by chongl

BIC Camera or did you mean what you typed? I don't recall seeing a reference to B I G and I follow this thread pretty religiously.

Hoping to snag a bottle of 21 one day for a decent price

Big liquors (not Bic) is in the Ginza, about 4 minutes walk from Shinanoya and Liquor Express.

Mar 8, 2017, 11:54 pm

#513

Postal007

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold

Posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal007

Stopped by B I G in Ginza and saw only Hibiki 21. Bought myself a bottle, there are only one or two left. 23,500 yen after tax. Thanks for the heads up from the forum - made sure I stopped by on my trip through Tokyo.

Stopped by again at BIG Liquors and still saw at least one bottle of Hibiki 21 on the shelf (not sure if there are others in the back).

Funny thing is they had a sign where the Japanese whisky was saying they do not carry Yamazaki.

Mar 9, 2017, 1:49 pm

#514

invalyd

Join Date: Sep 2014

Location: TYO

Programs: Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 1,744

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal007

That's where I got my 21 too. Great store, friendly owner and reasonable prices. I was so exited to find the 21 I forgot to check the rest of the selection.

Mar 15, 2017, 2:39 am

#515

nishimark

Join Date: Sep 2004

Location: Kobe/Osaka

Programs: Delta

Posts: 1,587

Here's an article touting the quality of Japanese whisky and its development over the years.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/bus...138569173.html

Mar 15, 2017, 1:04 pm

#516

exerda

Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Between DCA and IAD

Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond

Posts: 67,136

Saw a good variety all over Hong Kong, even at HKG Duty Free. Prices varied; for example, Hakushu 18 was overpriced (going for around $400 US at one shop). They had the special duty free bottle for the Hibiki Master's Select at the airport for around $70 US (not bad at all), but of course, due to the stupid liquid rules at HKG for flights going to the US, I couldn't buy a bottle.

I didn't pay close attention to the prices of other stuff, but that same Duty Free shop had all the standard NAS stuff, plus several Mars whiskys (again, NAS), and even a couple of Ichiro's. Still annoyed I couldn't buy any...

Mar 15, 2017, 1:13 pm

#517

mkjr

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Left

Programs: FT

Posts: 7,285

Quote:

Originally Posted by exerda

Don't worry. Everything other than the Hibiki Master's Select is absurdly priced.

Mar 16, 2017, 11:41 am

#518

mapleg

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: トロント

Programs: IHG Gold

Posts: 4,820

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkjr

Don't worry. Everything other than the Hibiki Master's Select is absurdly priced.

Was there 6 weeks ago. Took me about 2 minutes to realize I would not be buying any J Whiskey at those prices...the whole store is overpriced IMHO

Mar 19, 2017, 5:35 am

#519

jpdx

Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels

Join Date: May 2004

Posts: 5,916

Spending three weeks in Japan, and on day 3 can report that availability of whiskey with age statements is much better than during my three visits in 2016. To be sure, most of these are absurdly priced, but there are some decent deals to be had. Here's what I saw in the three stores I wandered into in Tokyo and Kyoto:

- Hibiki 17 -- 12k-14.8k
- Hibiki 21 -- 22k-37.8k
- Hibiki 30 -- 298k
- Yamazaki 12 -- 8.9k
- Yamazaki 18 -- 36k-45.8k
- Yamazaki 25 -- 328k
- Nikka 17 -- 17k-22k
- Nikka 21 -- 22k
- Nikka 25 -- 99k

Mar 22, 2017, 12:44 pm

#520

WestCoastFlyer88

Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: SFO

Programs: Anything that still flies F

Posts: 66

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdx

Can you give a little feedback what stores these were at? Also for the people saying the Ginza BIC Camera place, is that Yurakucho? Closest one I found in Ginza.

Mar 22, 2017, 1:03 pm

#521

mkjr

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Left

Programs: FT

Posts: 7,285

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastFlyer88

Can you give a little feedback what stores these were at? Also for the people saying the Ginza BIC Camera place, is that Yurakucho? Closest one I found in Ginza.

list of stores

http://www.biccamera.co.jp/language/...t/english.html

but it was already clarified that this was NOT a BIC store referred to below but BIG.

Mar 22, 2017, 3:20 pm

#522

WestCoastFlyer88

Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: SFO

Programs: Anything that still flies F

Posts: 66

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkjr

list of stores

http://www.biccamera.co.jp/language/...t/english.html

but it was already clarified that this was NOT a BIC store referred to below but BIG.

Thanks, misread the previous posts

Mar 22, 2017, 8:23 pm

#523

jpdx

Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels

Join Date: May 2004

Posts: 5,916

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastFlyer88

Can you give a little feedback what stores these were at? Also for the people saying the Ginza BIC Camera place, is that Yurakucho? Closest one I found in Ginza.

Best Tokyo prices were at the Don Quijote in Shirokanedai. The best selection (with silly pricing) was at Liquor Mountain in Kyoto. I've since stopped by their outlets in Osaka and Nagasaki, and they're all well stocked. Can't speak about the Tokyo one, but it might be worth a visit.

Mar 26, 2017, 2:09 pm

#524

mbhat74

Join Date: Mar 2012

Posts: 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdx

Could you tell me which store you say Hibiki 21 for 22K?

Mar 27, 2017, 3:06 pm

#525

sbjnyc

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: JFK/LGA/EWR

Posts: 1,296

I'm heading to Osaka and plan to visit the Suntory distillery during my stay. I'd like to get a gift for someone who is getting married and really likes Yamazaki. Does the distillery carry anything that can't be found at a retail store or duty free (and preferably something that can't be found in the US)? All else being the same, is there any reason to buy at the distillery instead of duty free or retail?

Would there be any issue with bringing a bottle (or 3) with me while I TWOV in China?