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.
Per FlyerTalk rule 10, nothing may be bought, sold, or traded on this forum:
Per FlyerTalk rule 10, nothing may be bought, sold, or traded on this forum:
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)
Dec 11, 2018, 9:59 pm
#1038
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 14
Would anyone be kind enough to share where the best places to buy whisky from in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka? Greatly appreciated
Preferably but not limited to Hibiki Blenders Choice
Preferably but not limited to Hibiki Blenders Choice
Last edited by Wikiwiki; Dec 18, 2018 at 5:01 pm Reason: adding on
Dec 18, 2018, 9:01 am
#1039
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I know this is a vague question, but is there anything anyone would recommend in the (USD 75-100) (JPY- 84,440-11,261) range in Tokyo/NRT that can't be had in the US (or for at least that price)? I think I would prefer a single malt, but am open to whatever.
Dec 18, 2018, 2:58 pm
#1040
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 873
Oddly enough there is bourbon you can't find in the states. Google "Wild Turkey Japan only" for examples (I don't know what is available these days) and Four Roses has two Japan-only expressions, "Black Label/Fine Old" and "Super Premium." You can't even buy them at the distillery in KY! However, they are roughly analogous to Yellow Label and Small Batch, but with different recipes.
Dec 20, 2018, 12:22 am
#1041
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Had an interesting experience at HND duty free this time-- clerks were reluctant to put my liquor in the tamper evident bags (for my onward connecting flight) and insisted I needed to place it in my checked luggage or I'd have to surrender it at security in the US. Only after promising both to put in my luggage after landing and not to blame them if I did lose it, did they seal it up as they've done in the past.
Of course no issues at screening. In fact, screeners returned my package after it went through the xray without additional liquid screening. I wonder what happened. Someone opened their tamper evident bag? Opaque bottle of sake? Receipt dated in the "future" and denied by TSA?
Of course no issues at screening. In fact, screeners returned my package after it went through the xray without additional liquid screening. I wonder what happened. Someone opened their tamper evident bag? Opaque bottle of sake? Receipt dated in the "future" and denied by TSA?
Dec 20, 2018, 2:48 am
#1042
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Had an interesting experience at HND duty free this time-- clerks were reluctant to put my liquor in the tamper evident bags (for my onward connecting flight) and insisted I needed to place it in my checked luggage or I'd have to surrender it at security in the US. Only after promising both to put in my luggage after landing and not to blame them if I did lose it, did they seal it up as they've done in the past.
Of course no issues at screening. In fact, screeners returned my package after it went through the xray without additional liquid screening. I wonder what happened. Someone opened their tamper evident bag? Opaque bottle of sake? Receipt dated in the "future" and denied by TSA?
Of course no issues at screening. In fact, screeners returned my package after it went through the xray without additional liquid screening. I wonder what happened. Someone opened their tamper evident bag? Opaque bottle of sake? Receipt dated in the "future" and denied by TSA?
Dec 20, 2018, 10:32 am
#1043
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
A bunch of sold out signs over the prices at the north duty free but I can’t recall which ones now. This was an evening departure so I imagine even if it was restocked daily, it may have been too late already. I didn’t find the whisky section at the central duty free and ended up taking several boxes of umeshu.
ETA: Hibiki 17 is no longer being served in JAL F as of last month according to the CA. Online drinks menu hasn’t been updated yet. Still have NAS Yamazaki in J.
ETA: Hibiki 17 is no longer being served in JAL F as of last month according to the CA. Online drinks menu hasn’t been updated yet. Still have NAS Yamazaki in J.
Last edited by rustykettel; Dec 20, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Dec 20, 2018, 11:32 pm
#1044
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
A bunch of sold out signs over the prices at the north duty free but I can’t recall which ones now. This was an evening departure so I imagine even if it was restocked daily, it may have been too late already. I didn’t find the whisky section at the central duty free and ended up taking several boxes of umeshu.
ETA: Hibiki 17 is no longer being served in JAL F as of last month according to the CA. Online drinks menu hasn’t been updated yet. Still have NAS Yamazaki in J.
Dec 25, 2018, 5:34 pm
#1046
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Just got to Tokyo, seems like the Hibiki 17 stock has finally dry. All my previously reliable shops are no longer selling minis or big bottles and most bars stopped serving it as well. Meanwhile price on the Blender's Choice has dropped by 50% and I've seen it in many places for about ¥15,000.
Dec 25, 2018, 6:31 pm
#1047
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 278
Just got to Tokyo, seems like the Hibiki 17 stock has finally dry. All my previously reliable shops are no longer selling minis or big bottles and most bars stopped serving it as well. Meanwhile price on the Blender's Choice has dropped by 50% and I've seen it in many places for about ¥15,000.
Good luck hunting out there!
Dec 26, 2018, 8:32 am
#1048
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
I just spent a month all over Japan and didn't see anything at reasonable prices. Ample stock of Yamazaki 12, but at 19k-29k for the full size, or laughable 2.5k for minis. Did see a fair bit of Hibiki 17, and fancier stuff, but again at eye-watering prices. Stayed at several hotels that had Hibiki 17 and Yamazaki 12 minis at 1080 yen, but none were willing to sell by the box (although it's easy to ask for a half dozen per day). At this point, I'm looking around mostly out of curiosity -- Japanese prices are outrageous, stock is depleted, and I have plenty of Y12 and Y18 at home and can occasionally get more (although prices in the US have increased, too, albeit to a relatively reasonable $100 for Y12).
Dec 26, 2018, 10:00 pm
#1049
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TYO
Programs: UA MM *G, NH Plat/SFC, HH Diamond, GE
Posts: 238
Stopped in the local donki during lunch today and saw the below bottles all selling at tourist gouging prices. Impressive to see H30, Y25, Y18 and H18 all in one case nonetheless.
Dec 26, 2018, 11:07 pm
#1050
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 11
Last edited by alan0801; Dec 27, 2018 at 5:34 am