In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best Japanese whiskies in 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis of the Japanese whisky exports, the ongoing major price hikes, and the recent investment in the Japanese whisky industry, and go directly to the 5 Best Japanese Whiskies in 2024.
The influence of Scotch on the Japanese whisky industry cannot be understated. Among the great pioneers of the best liquid gold from the Land of the Rising Sun was a man named Masataka Taketsuru, who went to Glasgow in 1918 with the intention of learning the art of Scotland’s master distillers. It was here that he learnt the secrets of distilling the finest liquor straight from the best in the business, and then brought that precious craft with him back to Japan. After some initial endeavors, Masataka-san founded Nikka Whisky in 1934 where he popularized techniques that eventually helped put Japanese whisky on the world map, thus earning him the title of the ‘Father of Japanese Whisky’.
Japanese Whisky Exports:
Japanese whisky has captivated the sophisticated taste buds of whisky lovers worldwide with its high quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. According to the Japanese Tax Agency, the country’s whisky exports reached $494.4 million in 2022, with the largest markets being China, the United States, and France. While this is a 273% increase from the export figures of 2018, exports still account for less than 10% of the overall Japanese whisky production. The increasing demand for Japanese whisky is also paralleled by the increase in the number of distilleries, as there are over 100 licensed distilleries in the country now – twice as much as ten years ago.
Major Price Hikes:
With the ongoing Japanese whisky boom across the world, the supply has not been able to keep up with the ever-increasing demand, resulting in massive price hikes for some of the country’s most beloved liquors. Suntory Beverage & Food Limited (OTC:STBFY), one of the Largest Whisky Producers in Japan, announced in November 2023 that it would more than double the price for some of its most prized expressions, such as the Hibiki 30 and Yamazaki 25. Over the last five years, Suntory’s Hibiki Japanese Harmony – one of the Best Whiskeys for Your Home Bar – has become nearly 40% pricier, and a 700-milliliter bottle of Yamazaki single malt whisky has also witnessed a 25% increase in price.
Similarly, Asahi Group Holdings, producer of the Nikka brand of whiskies, has also increased the prices of its spirits portfolio by as much as 62% since last month. A bottle of 10-Year Yoichi Single Malt, which returned to shelves a year ago after being discontinued in 2015 due to supply issues, will now retail at around $92 – up 50%. But the biggest price hike comes for the duty-free versions of Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts, with a 62% increase. Asahi blamed the high global demand for Japanese whisky and the rising cost of manufacturing for the increase in prices, and said the hikes are necessary to maintain quality and a stable supply.
Even 4 of the 15 Most Expensive Whiskeys in the World hail from Japan!
Recent Investment in the Industry:
Keeping up with the global demand, Suntory Beverage & Food Limited (OTC:STBFY) announced in 2023 that it would invest $77 million over two years to upgrade its Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. The investment is meant to elevate visitor experiences, as well as to ‘enhance’ the processes used in whisky production. Suntory Beverage & Food Limited (OTC:STBFY) plans to introduce the traditional production method of floor malting at both distilleries for some of its products, a method that brings out more aroma compared to the mechanized processes.
Further developments include introducing a process to cultivate yeast, and implementing new technology and ‘tsukuriwake’ – the craftsmanship of diverse malt whiskies. This comes after the alcohol giant has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in increasing its production capacity over the last decade, including expanding storage facilities.
With that said, here are the Highest Quality Japanese Whiskies in 2024.
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Men’s Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Top Japanese Whiskies. To make sure we give you the best of the best, we shortlisted whiskies that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score of 1 each time they were recommended on these websites, and then summed up the scores and ranked our list accordingly. When two or more whiskies had the same score, we ranked them by the price (excluding tax) of their 750 ml bottles.
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20. The Kurayoshi Pure Malt Sherry Cask
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Created by the well-known sake producer Matsui Shuzou, this sherried expression from the Kurayoshi range is made with a combination of Japanese and Scottish whiskies. Located in Tottori Prefecture, the whiskies produced by the Matsui distillery are characterized by the pure underground waters from the Daisen Mountains that they use while aging their product.
19. Hatozaki Pure Malt Whisky
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Named after the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan, Hatozaki Pure Malt is composed of 100% malt whiskies, including stocks distilled in Japan as well as those from abroad. This sweet and smoky expression is only produced in small batches of less than 20 casks.
18. Hibiki 21 Year Old
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Situated in the middle of the Hibiki line, the 21 is composed of single malts from the Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries that are aged in a trio of American (ex-Bourbon), European (ex-sherry) and Japanese (Mizunara) oak barrels.
Produced in Japan by Beam Suntory, the Hibiki range is counted among the Best Selling Whiskey Brands in the US.
17. Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve
Insider Monkey Score: 3
A fresh and fruity whisky from Yamazaki, this expression contains carefully blended components aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak, giving it those superb red berry and subtle fragrant oak notes.
Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt whisky, from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. Limited releases from the distillery, such as the Yamazaki Sherry Cask, have become highly sought-after collector items, making them the Best Japanese Whiskies for Investment.
16. Fuji Single Grain Whiskey
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Crafted in the majestic surroundings of Mt. Fuji, this single grain whiskey is a combination of three different grain whiskies distilled in three different methods – Bourbon, Canadian, and Scotch.
Owned by Kirin Holdings Company, the brand is now poised to expand to more international consumers thanks to an exclusive agreement for its distribution in continental Europe with Pernod Ricard.
15. Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Named in honor of Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka, this no-age-statement blended malt contains a high percentage of malt from Miyagikyo, with the remainder coming from Yoichi. This expression was launched in 2020, with a refined formula and a new label design to better represent the brand.
Taketsuru Pure Malt won the title of the Best Blended Malt in the World at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards.
14. Hibiki 17 Year Old
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Hibiki 17 Year Old, a globally acclaimed Japanese blend, is crafted using aged malt and grain whiskies sourced from Suntory`s renowned distilleries. Spicy and sophisticated, Hibiki 17 is included among the Best Whiskeys in the World in 2024.
13. Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Developed in 2013 as a result of Nikka’s continuous experiments to widen its range, this rich and flavorful whisky is made from 100% barley, distilled in a Coffey still, and matured in old casks to enhance its rich maltiness, complexity, and silky texture.
At $79 a bottle (excluding tax) on Wine-Searcher, Nikka Coffey Malt is counted among the Best Japanese Whiskies Under $100.
12. Kikori Whiskey
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Made from 100% rice grown in southern Japan, this sort-of single grain whiskey is aged for a minimum of three years in a combination of American oak, French Limousin oak, and sherry casks.
Since it is produced for the American market, the brand spells ‘whiskey’ instead of ‘whisky’, as it is written in Japan.
11. Chita Single Grain
Insider Monkey Score: 5
This Top Quality Japanese Whisky is a blend of single grains (mainly corn) and aged in wine and Spanish oak casks, resulting in a milder, smoother spirit with unparalleled sophistication and a clean, clear finish.
The Chita is the only grain whisky produced and bottled as such by Suntory.
10. Mars Shinshu Iwai 45
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Named after the Japanese whisky pioneer Kiichiro Iwai, this blended expression is distilled from 70% corn and 30% malted barley and aged between 2-5 years in ex-Bourbon barrels.
Located at just over 2,600 feet, Mars Shinshu is the highest-altitude whisky distillery in Japan. Its products continue to be some of the most inexpensive Japanese whiskies on the market, despite being full of high-quality character and complex flavor.
9. Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Released in 2016 as a permanent product that showcases the elegant style of Miyagikyo malts, this whisky is made using less peaty malt and distilled in a pot still heated by indirect steam at a low temperature. Miyagikyo Single Malt is known for its elegant fruitiness and distinctive aroma, with a strong Sherry cask influence.
Founded in 1934, Nikka has become one of the Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the World, producing a large range of single malt and blended whiskies between its two distilleries – Yoichi and Miyagikyo.
8. Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Insider Monkey Score: 6
An essential component of Nikka Whisky’s blends, Coffey Grain is distilled mainly from corn in a Coffey still located at the Miyagikyo distillery. The whisky is then matured in old American oak casks to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates.
7. Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Here we have a whisky blended in the Scotch tradition, but with Japanese precision. It is distilled from imported Scottish barley in traditional pot stills and then aged in Bourbon and sherry barrels. The result is a whisky with a malty, citrusy aroma with scents of black cherry, toffee, and oak.
At $46 (excluding tax) a bottle, Akashi White Oak is a Great Japanese Whisky Under $50.
6. Hakushu 12 Year Old
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Hailing from the Suntory-owned Hakushu distillery in the forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake, Hakushu 12 is a crisp and gently smoky single malt whisky with herbal notes typical of Japanese single malts. Hakushu 12 ranks 6th in our list of the Best Japanese Whiskies to Buy.
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- 20 Best Scotch Whiskies Under $100
Disclosure: None. 20 Best Japanese Whiskies in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.