GC93

May I ask which shinanoya? I sometimes stop by one in the suburbs, and I've catched at best a couple of Hakushu NAS.
Always honest prices anyway, they charge RRP (less actually, 4100JPY+tax).

invalyd

This was at Shinjuku. I think it's a good store to make a relationship with if you speak Japanese, they would maybe hold a bottle for regular customers.

invalyd

seks

Gonna have a couple of hours to roam around in NRT on a late afternoon. I'm assuming the Nikka 12 is widely available? I will still keep the Suntory Hibiki, Yamazaki, and Hakushu in mind though (if by chance they can be found and prices are OK)

Duke787

Didn't see Nikka12yo anywhere when I was at NRT last month (~830am in T2 ahead of flying NRT - ORD on JL). Only thing I saw was Yoichi NAS and Miyagiko NAS (though both very well priced compared to both Ginza and of course the US).

invalyd

Enigma

Best Japan Airlines biz class could offer Australia to Japan was Hakushu NAS (I assume, based on menu as I refrained this time - will be a different story flying home!). *sigh* Been 2 years since being in Tokyo - it was fairly dry then, and now very, very dry in most places for anything close to decent. Ended up ordering some Kavalan from Amazon for a fraction of what I'd pay in Australia.

DGibb

Well, my flight (DL Economy class) heads out Friday morning DTW to NGO. I plan to enjoy any of the Woodford or Jack that remains by the time beverage service gets to 22B. Does Japanese whisky get served to the plebs in coach?

I plan to hit a few liquor stores in Kyoto and Nagoya (I'll pick up some Wild Turkey 8, Nikka From the Barrel, Yamazaki 12 if its around), maybe swing by the Yamazaki distillery to see if I can get in to the tour on Sunday and pick up the distillery only bottle. I hope also to pick up a couple Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai bottles at duty free at NGO for my return trip. I have friends who really want a bottle of this for their drinking & displays.

Edit - Oh, by the way, I see Macallan 12 and Jack Daniels Single Barrel as options, or are those only available in Delta One?

Enigma

Tours get booked weeks in advance, but cancellations happen all the time (Sundays are probably popular though). Check the website regularly. When I went to Hakushu 2 years ago they had a shop anyone could go to, and pretty sure it had the distillery only bottle (limit 1 per person). Assume Yamazaki is the same. But what you really want is the tastings at the bar - top shelf at rock bottom prices.

Nikka From The Barrel is pretty common so shouldn't be hard to find. On Amazon too if you want it delivered to convenience store (easy to do once you get the hang of it) - seen it range from Y2500 to Y3800. Remember, it's 500ml not 700ml.

DGibb

I tried to book the tour within an hour of the times being released for reservations on September 3rd. It was booked almost immediately. I plan to try to see if there's a cancellation, otherwise I'll have a check out the distillery bottle, have a few tastes and be on my way.

I thought I thought that NFTB is around 1,800-2,200 yen? Or is my info out of date? It must be...

The hunt begins this weekend!

groovbusta

The Nikka 12 years is available at select liquor shops and higher end supermarkets. A very good value (under 6000 yen) in my opinion and my current go to gift for overseas friends. Most have never seen or tasted it.

Duke787

No Japanese whisky on DL flights. Woodford or Jack only in Y, Macallan is D1 only

DGibb

Thanks for the update. Woodford it is, then.

JHunter

I'm going to Yamazaki in a couple of weeks - what is the "distillery only" bottle? And from a drinking perspective, do I want it?

The tastings look dangerously attractive! The last price list that I found online had an incredible selection, with everything up to the 21 year olds at well under 1000 Yen each, and only the 25YO and above are significantly higher (but still extremely reasonable).

invalyd