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The Best 20 Whiskies from Japan

Whisky or Whiskey? Who cares!? But what does define a great whisky? Why some whiskies stand over the rest? What makes a dram the best?

So hard questions... but let me make some ideas clear: older doesn't mean better and more expensive usually doesn't mean better neither. So, this list of delightful bottled pleasures is crafted by using the rating I have assigned to each of them when I have tasted them.

Best Drinks

I, over all, love young peated whiskies, mid-age sherried monsters, old bourbon casks whiskies and very old grain whiskies. So, don't get surprised if the list shows this personal preference. You can find whisky recommendations list for a community-built list of best whiskies. Help us improve it even more by recommending your favorite whiskeys.

Without more delays, here is the list of the best Drinks available right now. You may want to see this list with all-time best whiskeys.

The Best 20 whiskies from Japan

  • 88

    Karuizawa 31 years old Sherry Cask #3555

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “It is not the typical Oloroso sherry aged whisky but this is an absolutely cracking Karuizawa Single Malt”

  • 88

    Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 Cask 3603

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Gorgeous! This Karuizawa has one of the best sherried noses that I have ever seen. Not a whisky for newcomers, it needs time and lots of attention to disclose it greatness. The more it is on the glass the more I like it”

  • 87

    Karuizawa 1984 Cask 3692

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Out of this world! This Karuizawa whisky is an awesome peat and sherry monster. And I love it!”

  • 86

    Karuizawa 30 years old Bourbon Cask #8676

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Much like a Karuizawa must be. Delicious and with a touch of smoke... and of course, no trace of sherry on this ex-bourbon cask”

  • 86

    Karuizawa Noh 28 years 1983

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “This Karuizawa is a huge sherry monster! No other label could fit better to this whisky”

  • 86

    Nikka Taketsuru 17 year

    Japan Blended Malt Whisky
    “Delightful! I can't express with words the fruity, honey and spices torrent that this japanese blended malt delivers.”

  • 85

    Asama 1999/2000

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Wooha! Nicer than last year Asama with a ton more of sherry profile. Thumbs up to this whisky!”

  • 85

    Chichibu Chibidaru 2009 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Fantastic whisky! Very herbal an floral with hints of liquorice and vanilla. I have really enjoyed this Chichibu”

  • 85

    Chichibu Newborn Cask 127

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Really good. Explosive taste. Almost as good as Aberlour Abunadh”

  • 85

    Karuizawa 1982 Cask #8497

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “I feel the vertigo of tasting something unique! Impressive Japanese whisky from lost Karuizawa distillery”

  • 85

    Nikka Taketsuru 21 year

    Japan Blended Whisky
    “Superb stuff by Nikka! This Taketsuru made with whiskies from Yoichi and Miyagikyo is really delicious”

  • 85

    Nikka Yoichi 12 year

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “This whisky grows in the glass. Just give it five minutes on the glass and enjoy it. The best whisky of the Yoichi range.”

  • 85

    Suntory Hibiki 12 year

    Japan Blended Whisky
    “A great whisky - sherry and bourbon blended with exquisite taste. Maybe a Balvenie Doublewood?”

  • 85

    Suntory Hibiki 17 year

    Japan Blended Whisky
    “Mindblowing Japanese blended whisky! I wasn't ready for something so good. Ordering right now”

  • 85

    Suntory Yamazaki 10 year

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Whoa! Fantastic whisky! Not a sherry monster like its big brother the Yamazaki 18 years old but still a delicious sherry treat”

  • 85

    Suntory Yamazaki 12 year

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Awesome japanese whisky on the budget range. Really love how complex it is and its fruity character. There are not many Scotch whiskies so good at this price”

  • 85

    Suntory Yamazaki 18 year

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Superb sherried stuff. Perfect cask with a delightful note of sulphur, and no, I am not drunk! I love this whisky!”

  • 85

    Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel Japanese Single Malt Scotch Whisky

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Amazing Yamazaki with lots of floral and spices notes. Love it”

  • 85

    Yamazaki Puncheon 2013

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Cracking stuff! Assaulted by surprise... it is an amazing whisky even with that price tag”

  • 84

    Hakushu 12 year

    Japan Single Malt Whisky
    “Nice but a hell more subtle than Yamazaki. Although Hakushu single malt is supposed to be peated I get no peat on this one”

What do you think?