Hey all,
I was wondering if someone could recommend a Japanese Whisky tasting experience in either Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto?
I really wanted to go to the Yamazaki Distillery but have since found out they are renovating their tour/tasting room from the 1st of May to Autumn, missing out by a couple of weeks – Very gutting.
I have been researching and the Tokyo Whisky Library looks good but the menu focuses more on Scotch, still has a decent Japanese menu but at a premium cost.
I would like the tasting to focus on Japanese Whiskys so please share any gems you have come across.
I land in Japan on the 10th of May and am about till the end of the Month if that helps.
Thanks!
15 comments
I can’t help with the tastings but my favorite Japanese whiskey I had was Ichiro’s Malt. It was relatively rare and expensive but worth a try if you can find it.
[Hibiya Whiskey Bar](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9134030413310319266) in Ginza has a pretty good Japanese whiskey list (largely Suntory stuff).
Here are some other places I had previously bookmarked as having good Japanese whiskey options but have not personally been to. For many you can probably find pictures of the whiskey menu on Maps and see if they have anything you are interested in:
* [Brilliant Bar in Keio Plaza Hotel](https://www.keioplaza.co.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/brillant_drink202303.pdf) in Shinjuku
* [Zoetrope](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zoetrope/@35.6944997,139.6984625,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x7b9187391db793ad?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigioz6wfz9AhURH-wKHc4ZCGUQ_BJ6BAh_EAg) in Shinjuku
* [Bar Plat](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bar/@35.6968397,139.7579605,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188c16ae90b8b5:0x86f728b7f1b2dc41!8m2!3d35.6968397!4d139.7579605!16s%2Fg%2F1tdg7srh) in Kanda
* [Bar Tsurukame](https://www.google.com/maps/place/BAR%E9%B6%B4%E4%BA%80/@35.6834927,139.7833162,17z/data=!3m1!5s0x6018894555636c23:0x7c5b5f84d2b2e36b!4m16!1m9!3m8!1s0x6018894554f3370d:0x18c63c8a783d3e24!2zQkFS6ba05LqA!8m2!3d35.6834927!4d139.7833162!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F1v8y3_zp!3m5!1s0x6018894554f3370d:0x18c63c8a783d3e24!8m2!3d35.6834927!4d139.7833162!16s%2Fg%2F1v8y3_zp) in Ningyocho
* [Apollo Bar](https://www.google.com/maps/place/APOLLO+BAR+GINZA/@35.6697749,139.757329,17z/data=!4m17!1m10!3m9!1s0x60188beecd7f91c9:0x89c9493ae4d0df85!2sAPOLLO+BAR+GINZA!8m2!3d35.6697749!4d139.7595177!10e5!14m1!1BCgIYIA!16s%2Fg%2F1pty7x7js!3m5!1s0x60188beecd7f91c9:0x89c9493ae4d0df85!8m2!3d35.6697749!4d139.7595177!16s%2Fg%2F1pty7x7js) in Ginza
* [Bar Kamo](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%98%89%E8%8C%82+bar+kamo/@35.6692735,139.7602743,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188be8d778ddeb:0xd0422daa08e3310!8m2!3d35.6692735!4d139.7602743!16s%2Fg%2F12qgnj0kn) in Ginza
I’ve heard good things about Aloha Whiskey in Tokyo but won’t know for sure until I try it this May on my trip. The owner is Japanese Hawaiian, so he can speak English and give you recommendations.
Just got back last night, my friends and I found a whiskey bar that just opened in Ueno in the past month called Tokyo-Yōshu. Staff was very friendly and recommended a whiskey that was very tasty (akkeshi I think). Not sure if it’s what you’re looking for but we enjoyed it
Edit: based on pictures, the only non Japanese whiskey they had was macallan 18
Bar Main Malt in Kobe had an incredible selection of over 1000 bottles, mostly scotch and Irish but had some amazing Japanese whiskies too. Easily accessible by train from Osaka.
Not sure if they’re even still operating, and know you’re looking for Japanese so this might not interest you, but Rogin’s Tavern outside Osaka had one of the most insane bourbon selections I’ve ever encountered when I was there in 2015. Better than probably all but 5-10 spots in America.
An even more memorable experience than the Yamazaki high end tasting at the distillery.
Rum and Whiskey in Pontocho, Kyoto is literally a treasure trove. The owner speaks English, so you can have some great discussions about his collection. Get there when it opens, it’s a small spot.
Japan, 〒604-8017 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, 木屋町三条下る材木町188-3 光ビル
Bar Livet in Shinjuku is quite good and is a must stop imo. They have a great selection of Japanese whisky and scotch and the staff is very passionate and knowledgeable about their stock. The cocktails are also on another level. The bar only seats 10 so get there when they open or make reservations.
Shinjuku Whisky Salon in…Shinjuku has a good selection and nice speak easy sort of vibe. Bar staff are friendly with decent English. Do a nice whisky sour too, although strangely served out of a wooden bowl.
Bar Cordon Noir in Kyoto, another one just off Pontocho Alley, has a vast selection covering Japanese and Scottish whiskies, plus other countries. Again very speak easy-ish vibe, smartly attired barmen. It was very quiet volume wise when I was there even though there were quite a few patrons.
Cask Strength in Roppongi, Tokyo. Pretty large collection, including some really old bottles.
You could check out the hakushu distillery, also suntory. It’s a bit of a trek from Tokyo but doable.
If you go to the Yamazaki Distillery you MUST make an appointment/reservation ahead of time.
Kinobi House in Kyoto is REALLY cool, yes… It’s a Gin, but they have whiskey barrel aged Gins, and a whole slew of different Gins and drinks. ALSO if you sign up for their premier membership (¥6,000) you get a free bottle of Gin, and access to a super cool VIP room. Do not pass on this place, it’s a MUST DO in Kyoto.
Bar 96 in chuo city.
I’m going in a few weeks and have this note in my planning doc. No idea where I learned this or if it is legit but…
Osaka — Around half of the 800-odd bottles at the Umeda branch of spirits retailer Liquor Mountain are open for tasting pours at $1 to $2 a pop—the cheapest way to get a handle on the multitude of Japanese spirits.
For whiskey in Tokyo, check out Campbeltoun Loch. The place is unique and totally nuts and a gem for all kinds of reasons. More Scotch than anything else but if you like whiskey, especially rare, old stuff, you shouldn’t miss it.
And not whiskey, but also an amazing gem, in Kyoto, is Sake Bar Yoramu. Aged sake (IYKYK).