Best Japanese Whiskey For The Money

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Top 10 Japanese Whiskies

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Our 10 favourite Japanese Whiskies of the month

Chosen by Whisky Exchange co-founder Sukhinder Singh and head buyer Dawn Davies MW

Mars Maltage Cosmo

World Blended Whisky

70cl / 43%

4 (9 Reviews)

Cosmo from Mars Maltage is a blended malt that includes whisky from Shinshu in Japan. A big hit when released at the 2015 Tokyo International Bar Show, this is a permanent addition to the fledgling distillery's range.

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Style
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- Richness
- Smoke
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Character
Suntory Hibiki Harmony

Japanese Blended Whisky

70cl / 43%

4 (56 Reviews)

Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Presented in the brand's trademark 24-faceted bottle representing the Japanese seasons, this is light, approachable and moreish with enticing notes of orange peel and white chocolate.

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Character
Ichiro's Malt & Grain Japanese Whisky

Japanese Blended Whisky

70cl / 46.5%

4.5 (2 Reviews)

A blend from the king of independent Japanese distillers, Ichiro Akuto. In addition to whisky from his own Chichibu distillery, it also includes whiskies from America, Canada, Scotland and Ireland. As it says on the label – 'This is worldwide blended whisky'.

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Style
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- Richness
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Character
Yamazaki 12 Year Old

Japanese Single Malt Whisky

70cl / 43%

4.5 (90 Reviews)

One of the first Japanese single malts to break into the UK market, Suntory's Yamazaki 12 Year Old continues to impress with its well-balanced fruity sweetness, something that appeals to novice and experienced whisky drinkers alike.

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Character
Nikka From the Barrel

World Blended Whisky

50cl / 51.4%

4.5 (108 Reviews)

Nikka from the Barrel is big-boned and bursting with character. Not averse to a drop of water, either. A real star, winning top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards in 2007 and 2010. Japanese whisky producer Nikka was founded in 1934 and has become Japan's second largest distiller, producing a large range of single malts and blended whiskies between its two distilleries - Yoichi and Miyagikyo.

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Style
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- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
The Chita Whisky

Japanese Single Grain Whisky

70cl / 43%

4.5 (39 Reviews)

Chita is Suntory's grain distillery. The flagship release is aged in a combination of wine, sherry and bourbon casks. This is a light whisky with subtle notes of mint, honey and wood spice.

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Style
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- Richness
- Smoke
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Character
The Nikka 12 Year Old

World Blended Whisky

70cl / 43%

5 (16 Reviews)

A blend including whisky from Nikka's two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, The Nikka 12 is a well-balanced blend. There's green-apple freshness, rich fruitcake spiciness, butterscotch and some green-peppercorn punch. Another winner from Nikka.

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Style
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- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
Hakushu Distiller's Reserve

Japanese Single Malt Whisky

70cl / 43%

4.5 (28 Reviews)

A green and crunchy entry in the Hakushu Range, combining whisky of a wide variety of ages, from across the range of casks used by the distillery to create a gently smoky dram, packed with fruity flavour.

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Character
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Japanese Single Grain Whisky

70cl / 45%

4.5 (51 Reviews)

A release of grain whisky from Japan's Nikka, produced mainly from corn using one of their continuous Coffey stills. Rather than the rare and limited releases they have done before, this is a larger release to further show off this key component in the Nikka family of whiskies.

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Style
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- Richness
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Character
Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve

Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

70cl / 46.5%

5 (1 Review)

Ichiro Akuto, founder of Japan's Chichibu distillery, is not only one of the most respected distillers in the country, but he's also a master whisky blender. His Wine Wood Reserve is a blended malt containing Japanese whiskies from Chichibu that have been finished in red wine casks and Scottish whisky. The result is a rich and jammy dram with lots of complexity.

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Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character