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)
Jan 29, 2019, 3:52 pm
#1126
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
I have deleted a disruptive post and replies thereto. As always, please engage in discussion with your fellow members with respect. This is a great resource for those searching for whiskey in Japan -- let's keep it that way!
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator
Last edited by armagebedar; Jan 29, 2019 at 4:20 pm Reason: reopened thread
Jan 31, 2019, 1:45 am
#1131
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MEL/YMML
Programs: A3 Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Amex Platinum
Posts: 287
Jan 31, 2019, 8:17 am
#1133
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 278
I kinda lucked out. I ordered those Hibiki 17 and Hibiki minis right before they announced the discontinuation and shipped them to my buddy's house and stored there. I paid around ~Y18000 for a full size and ~Y1000 for mini each back then. The Yamazaki NAS I found them at a local Lawson just 3 weeks ago in Japan for Y1200 each. Cleaned it up (4 total) and they never restocked it after that. I stopped by many convenient stores but never see Yamazaki or Hakushu NAS around after 2017,
Jan 31, 2019, 8:25 am
#1134
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 873
I had a chance to try the Komagatake 2018 Limited Edition (Bourbon Barrel & American Oak Cask) at a tasting in November. It smelled very young (distiller said it was matured 3 years) and was pretty dry on the palate with a long semi sweet finish. If the other Komagatake releases taste this young, I wouldn't waste ~$80 on it unless you just wanted it to show you got something unique from Japan. I can think of many, many whiskeys widely available in the U.S. that I'd rather spend that kind of money on.
Another thing to note about Japanese Whiskey is that unlike Bourbon in the U.S. and Scotch in, well, Scotland, there are practically no standards on labeling and sourcing. "Japanese Whiskey" can be sourced from anywhere and blended in Japan and still can be considered as such. See #4 in this article. I'm not saying there isn't great Japanese whiskey to be had, just buyer beware- country of origin in this case doesn't connote quality. As old stocks continue to be depleted, distilleries around the world are releasing more NAS (No Age Statement) releases and some Japan-based companies are more deceptive about sourcing in labeling.
Another thing to note about Japanese Whiskey is that unlike Bourbon in the U.S. and Scotch in, well, Scotland, there are practically no standards on labeling and sourcing. "Japanese Whiskey" can be sourced from anywhere and blended in Japan and still can be considered as such. See #4 in this article. I'm not saying there isn't great Japanese whiskey to be had, just buyer beware- country of origin in this case doesn't connote quality. As old stocks continue to be depleted, distilleries around the world are releasing more NAS (No Age Statement) releases and some Japan-based companies are more deceptive about sourcing in labeling.
Jan 31, 2019, 12:11 pm
#1136
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
I've only been to Japan a few times but last time I went I flew ANA in F and the Hibiki 21yo was served. I don't recall the name of their in-flight magazine but they offered bottles of whiskey and I thought I remembered the prices for a bottle being much higher and assumed that those prices would be retail.
Jan 31, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1137
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
I've only been to Japan a few times but last time I went I flew ANA in F and the Hibiki 21yo was served. I don't recall the name of their in-flight magazine but they offered bottles of whiskey and I thought I remembered the prices for a bottle being much higher and assumed that those prices would be retail.
Jan 31, 2019, 2:21 pm
#1138
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 278
Jan 31, 2019, 11:03 pm
#1140
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744