Japanese Whisky has had some controversy surrounding it for a few years. NY Times did quite the expose and discussion on it. In short, Japan was doing what Templeton Rye did in the United States: they were sourcing their whisky from Scotland or Canada (Templeton’s was from Indiana/MGP), bottling it and calling it their own.

Sourcing, finishing, and bottling whisky isn’t necessarily the problem. It’s the way many huge craft distilleries have gotten started. And if they know how to choose their barrels carefully and only put out what their palates tell them and consumers is good whisky, then good on em. The problem was that in many instances whisky companies were buying product from Scotland or Canada, send it to a bottler at some factory they contracted, and slapping their label on it calling it “MY Whisky!”

Well, Nikka hasn’t done that. First, they have always been up front about where their whisky is coming from (Ben Nevis, in Scotland, mostly - as they own it). Secondly, they now label their bottles with a lot of information about what exactly is in there. And many of their whiskeys are “Distilled and Matured” in Japan. Looking for key words is important when discussing wine and spirits. Finally, if you take a gander at their website, they now label their products as to whether they “meets all the criteria of ‘Japanese whisky’ defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association” and link you to those requirements.

Here is the list of Whiskies we will be tasting this night, tasting notes will be provided the night of the event:

Taketsuru Pure Malt: This is a no-age statement whisky bottled at 43% ABV. First, it DOES meet the requirements for Japanese whisky. They do label it as “Pure malt” which is Japan’s way of saying this is a blend of malt whiskies from around the country. While not explicitly stated, the impression given is that it is a blend from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.

Miyagikyo Single Malt: No age statement and bottled at 45% ABV. This whiskey DOES meet the requirements for Japanese whisky and is labeled on the bottle as “Distilled and matured at Nikka sendai miyagikyo dilstillery.” It is finished in sherry casks.

Yoichi Single Malt: No age statement and bottled at 45% ABV. This whiskey DOES meet the requirements for Japanese whisky and is labeled on the bottle as “Distilled and matured at Nikka Hokkaido Yoichi distillery.”

Nikka Coffey Grain Whiskey: No age statement and bottled at 45% ABV. This whiskey DOES meet the requirements for Japanese whisky and on the bottle states it was “produced by the Nikka whisky distilling co.” It is made from “predominantly corn” and aged in used American oak that has been recharred. Pretty clear this is meant to be their attempt at making a Bourbon clone.

I was only able to get a 1-2 of most of these bottles so we will have a few for sale, but not many.