Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit

325 Pages·2018·80.53 MB·English

by  Brian Ashcraft et al.

“Brian Ashcraft has done us drinkers a real service here. A guide to where Japanese
whisky came from and who’s making it now, with careful advice on what bottles we
might want to seek out, it is a reference I’ve been hoping for. And now, with
Japanese Whisky in hand, I’m off to the liquor store.”
—Adam Rogers, Deputy Editor Wired Magazine, author of Proof: The Science of
Booze
“A tour de force. Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most
Desirable Spirit combines engrossing and well-researched history with trustworthy
tasting notes, fascinating distillery guides and beautiful photography. It’s not only an
excellent practical look at one of the world’s most exciting alcohol traditions but also
a great read.”
—Chris Bunting, author Drinking Japan and founder of Nonjatta.com
“Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit gives
deep insight into the spirit’s history and also throughly explains the specialties of the
drink.”
—Horst Luening, Whisky.com
“This book’s love of the ‘water of life’ shines through on every page. From the
exhaustive account of Japan’s long relationship with whisky to the detailed
descriptions of labels produced by its world-beating distilleries, Japanese Whisky
should appeal to experienced buyers and novices alike. The perfect accompaniment
to a Japanese single malt.”
—Justin McCurry, Tokyo correspondent for the Guardian

Japanese whisky has been around for under a century but is now
winning all the major international awards. How did this happen and
what are the secrets of Japanese whisky makers?
This book features previously unpublished archival images and interviews chronicling the
forgotten stories of Japan’s pioneering whisky makers. It explains the special materials and
methods used by Japanese distillers, including mizunara wood, Japanese barley and
unique Japanese production methods. It also examines the close cultural connections
between Japanese whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples. For the first time in English,
over a hundred independently scored reviews are presented from leading Japanese whisky
blogger Yuji Kawasaki, which shed new light on Japan’s most famous single malts as well
as its grain whiskies and blends.

JAPANESE WHISKY
The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit
BRIAN ASHCRAFT
WITH IDZUHIKO UEDA AND YUJI KAWASAKI
FOREWORD BY LEW BRYSON

ABOUT THIS BOOK
To fully appreciate Japanese whisky, it’s necessary to put it in a larger context. For well
over 1,500 years Japan has imported language, religion and culture, stamping its own
distinct mark on all three. The country takes what it wants or needs and then artfully
improves and localizes imports to suit local tastes. This is exactly what happened with
whisky. But how? And why? The first part of this book examines how Japanese history,
culture and religion have influenced Japanese whisky. The second part delves into the best
Japanese whisky makers of today, showing why their stuff is unique and providing reviews
and scores of various whiskies so that readers can get a good idea of what to expect from
current and future releases. The last chapter introduces some of Japan’s newest distilleries
and discusses future trends. Note that this is an independent work. None of the authors
have ever worked or done consulting for any Japanese whisky maker and all of the whiskies
reviewed and scored were paid for out of pocket.
contents
Foreword by Lew Bryson, author of Tasting Whiskey
PART ONE
JAPANESE WHISKY COMES OF AGE
Japan’s Whisk(e)y History Begins
The Local Drinks: Sake and Shochu
Foreign Drinks Invade Japan
The Scottish Connection
The Revolutionary Sake-Inspired Malting Process
How Japanese Whisky Swept the World
The Karuizawa Distillery: A Japanese Legend
How Japanese Whisky is Made
About Japanese Barley and Peat
Precious Made-in-Japan Casks
Making Japanese Whisky Even More Japanese
The Barrel Apprentice
Japan’s Whisky Drinking Culture
Crafting a Very Japanese Cocktail
What Makes Japanese Whisky “Japanese”?
PART TWO
JAPAN’S LEADING DISTILLERIES AND WHISKIES
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
The Hakushu Distillery and the Sun Grain Chita Distillery
Tasting Notes for 29 Suntory Whiskies
Eigashima Shuzo White Oak Whisky Distillery
Tasting Notes for 12 Eigashima Shuzo Whiskies
Nikka Yoichi Distillery
The Miyagikyo Distillery
Tasting Notes for 28 Nikka Whiskies
Hombo Shuzo Mars Whisky Shinshu Distillery
The Tsunuki Distillery