Not Japanese and a bourbon, but Wild Turkey is good. Especially the high proof, if that’s your thing. It’s quite cheap in Japan.
Buffalo trace is my favorite.
Suntory Torys Classic 4L for around 3000 yen.
Kaku is reliable and inexpensive.
I’ve used hibiki, Yamazaki, chita, as well as various bourbons but still think Kaku makes a good highball.
If you want the sweetness chita is probably closest to hibiki. Dewars is also on the sweet side.
Candian club is the original highball whiskey. I’m pretty fond of Harper.
The Riku from Kirin (Fuji-Gotemba Distillery) is a good go-to, and packs a wallop at 50% ABV. I’m quite fond of the 700ml blue label Akashi too, but it’s got a grungy quality that’s not to all tastes.
I mean. You order a highball in Japan and not call it you’re gonna get the bar pour. Which is likely rot gut Suntory. But it ain’t bad.
If we’re going for cheap, Suntory Old.
Fujisanroku also made a great highball back when they had the 1200 yen variety. I miss those days.
If you like sweetness I recommend Maker’s Mark.
Always like Bushmills for a high ball, Blantons or Elijah Craig for sipping
As others have said, my choices:
Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 8 year Old grandad (100proof, bottled in bond – I forget the terminology now)
The old grandad is one people pass up as it looks old and not “hip” but it’s actually worth a taste.
Suntory Reserve. It’s a blended whiskey but it’s heavy on the Hakushu. It’s a reasonable price and readily available. I think it’s definitely a step up from kakubin. Great for highballs or on the rocks.
Still think it’s hibiki. 21 especially. Sorry
If you want sweet whiskey you should be looking towards corn whiskies which are mostly American. Cheapest you will find in Japan is probably Jim Beam White Label. You can get it in the 4L plastic jugs if you decide you like it.
If you *really* want Japanese whisky then Chita is a corn whiskey, modeled after American bourbon. You’ll pay more for it than for Jim Beam, but I doubt it is better.
As it seems there are people who like whiskey in this thread, as a poor alcoholic with the pallet of a… alcoholic, what do you all think of Highland Queen Sherry Cask? For the price I was quite impressed.
For highball? I always pick the cheapest bottle I currently have and isn’t over 5000yen.
Currently it’s Ballentines12 I bought many years ago, was forgotten and found again deep in the closet last month.
Johnny Walker Black Label is generally my go-to for highballs.
Mars from Nagano is a good one for mixing. I see it often in Seijo Iishi. Nice smooth flavor and very reasonable price.
Chita or Toki. Both “reasonable” prices but not too exclusive to feel like you’re wasting whisky on a mixed drink.
What’s the ideal ratio for a highball? 1/5 whiskey and then 4/5 mineral water?
Jim Beam is best.
Yamazaki 18 yrs.
The kirin riku is a sleeper hit. The cost performance is so shocking to the value that I had to research it after my first try to make sure it wasn’t some bullshit.
Nope, you get a bourbon/fuji juice mix at near cask strength for 1,200 yen. Frankly it outclasses everything until you start getting into some 3-4’000 scotches and bourbons (WT being an exception)
If you like sweet, four roses is delicious. You can find bulleit bourbon in some places too, that’s very sweet too. Edit: woah literally no other love for four roses!?
26 comments
Not Japanese and a bourbon, but Wild Turkey is good. Especially the high proof, if that’s your thing. It’s quite cheap in Japan.
Buffalo trace is my favorite.
Suntory Torys Classic 4L for around 3000 yen.
Kaku is reliable and inexpensive.
I’ve used hibiki, Yamazaki, chita, as well as various bourbons but still think Kaku makes a good highball.
If you want the sweetness chita is probably closest to hibiki. Dewars is also on the sweet side.
Candian club is the original highball whiskey. I’m pretty fond of Harper.
The Riku from Kirin (Fuji-Gotemba Distillery) is a good go-to, and packs a wallop at 50% ABV. I’m quite fond of the 700ml blue label Akashi too, but it’s got a grungy quality that’s not to all tastes.
I mean. You order a highball in Japan and not call it you’re gonna get the bar pour. Which is likely rot gut Suntory. But it ain’t bad.
If we’re going for cheap, Suntory Old.
Fujisanroku also made a great highball back when they had the 1200 yen variety. I miss those days.
If you like sweetness I recommend Maker’s Mark.
Always like Bushmills for a high ball, Blantons or Elijah Craig for sipping
As others have said, my choices:
Buffalo Trace,
Wild Turkey 8 year
Old grandad (100proof, bottled in bond – I forget the terminology now)
The old grandad is one people pass up as it looks old and not “hip” but it’s actually worth a taste.
Suntory Reserve. It’s a blended whiskey but it’s heavy on the Hakushu. It’s a reasonable price and readily available. I think it’s definitely a step up from kakubin. Great for highballs or on the rocks.
Still think it’s hibiki. 21 especially. Sorry
If you want sweet whiskey you should be looking towards corn whiskies which are mostly American. Cheapest you will find in Japan is probably Jim Beam White Label. You can get it in the 4L plastic jugs if you decide you like it.
If you *really* want Japanese whisky then Chita is a corn whiskey, modeled after American bourbon. You’ll pay more for it than for Jim Beam, but I doubt it is better.
As it seems there are people who like whiskey in this thread, as a poor alcoholic with the pallet of a… alcoholic, what do you all think of Highland Queen Sherry Cask? For the price I was quite impressed.
For highball? I always pick the cheapest bottle I currently have and isn’t over 5000yen.
Currently it’s Ballentines12 I bought many years ago, was forgotten and found again deep in the closet last month.
Johnny Walker Black Label is generally my go-to for highballs.
Mars from Nagano is a good one for mixing. I see it often in Seijo Iishi. Nice smooth flavor and very reasonable price.
Chita or Toki. Both “reasonable” prices but not too exclusive to feel like you’re wasting whisky on a mixed drink.
What’s the ideal ratio for a highball? 1/5 whiskey and then 4/5 mineral water?
Jim Beam is best.
Yamazaki 18 yrs.
The kirin riku is a sleeper hit. The cost performance is so shocking to the value that I had to research it after my first try to make sure it wasn’t some bullshit.
Nope, you get a bourbon/fuji juice mix at near cask strength for 1,200 yen. Frankly it outclasses everything until you start getting into some 3-4’000 scotches and bourbons (WT being an exception)
If you like sweet, four roses is delicious. You can find bulleit bourbon in some places too, that’s very sweet too.
Edit: woah literally no other love for four roses!?
Togouchi.
Toki or Kaku.