Japanese Whisky

Discover Japanese whiskies selected by the chefs and sommeliers of Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants. A selection by credible and legitimate professionals to help you find your favourite Japanese whisky.

We guide you to the most attractive commercial and promotional offers online. You can buy the best Japanese whiskies with full confidence thanks to a reliable and unbiased reference.

Top whiskies

With Bestwine • Online, the reference for the best Japanese whiskies:

Taste one of the finest Japanese whiskies. Gift an exceptional bottle of Japanese whisky. Enhance your bar or cellar with a prestigious bottle of Japanese whisky. Discover all the information to better understand Japanese whisky and its specificities so you can easily choose your brand or bottle. Find the restaurants where you can taste rare Japanese whisky references.

Whisky type: blended Age/vintage: non-vintage

Age/vintage: non-vintage

Age/vintage: non-vintage

Age: 18 years

Age: 12 years

Age: 12 years

Age: non-vintage

Age: non-vintage

Best Japanese whisky brands

Refer to the opinions of chefs, sommeliers and barmen from Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants worldwide to discover the best Japanese whisky brands. A ranking and comparison of the most highly valued Japanese whisky brands and bottles in starred restaurants, curated by experts in haute cuisine.

Japanese whiskies suggested by chefs and sommeliers of gourmet restaurants.

The history of Japanese whisky

Japanese whisky is a highly prized spirit today. It is currently the 4th most consumed whisky in the world, behind Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey and American bourbons. It was actually the Americans who introduced whisky to the Japanese people on 13 March 1854. On that date, Commodore Matthew Perry's ships docked at Kanagawa. As was customary for any official visit, diplomatic gifts were offered to the Japanese emperor. Among Perry's gifts was a Bourbon whisky from the United States. The whisky was kept in several casks, one reserved for the emperor and the others for advisors tasked with introducing this spirit to the Japanese people. The history between Japan and whisky was born.

The reputation of Japanese whisky has only recently been forged. Indeed, the first Japanese attempts at producing whisky were not conclusive. Japanese companies tried to make whisky from rice and also from corn.

The Japanese typically drink their whisky neat, mixed with still or sparkling water, served with ice. The typically Japanese practice for tasting whisky called Iceball consists of serving Japanese whisky with a ball of ice or a large ice cube. When served with sparkling water and an ice ball, it is called Highball. Some gourmet restaurants offer this experience to their customers.

Japanese whisky brands

There are about ten Japanese whisky brands producing this precious beverage across several distilleries in Japan.

Here are the various Japanese whisky brands and the distilleries that produce them:

Eigashima Shuzō: White Oak distillery in Akashi. Hombo Shuzō (Mars Whisky): Shinshū distillery in Miyada, Kamiina district and Tsunuki distillery in Kagoshima. Kirin: Fuji Gotemba distillery in Gotenba. Matsui Shuzō: two distilleries in Kurayoshi. Monde Shuzō: distillery in Fuefuki. Nikka (Asahi Breweries group): Miyagikyo distillery in Sendai and Yoichi distillery in Yoichi. Sasanokawa Shuzō: Asaka distillery in Kōriyama. Suntory: Chita distillery in Chita (grain whisky), Hakushu distillery in Hokuto and Yamazaki distillery in Shimamoto, Mishima district. Venture Whisky (Ichiro's Malt brand): Chichibu distillery in Chichibu.

Whisky brands are few. Each of these Japanese whisky brands however offers many references. Logically, the majority of Japanese whiskies served at gourmet restaurant tables come from these brands. Nikka and Suntory are the best known. Most of these brands set up their distilleries in locations whose terrain and climate matched those of Scottish distilleries.

Japanese whisky distilleries have the particularity of developing their blending base from their own distilleries alone. Conversely, Scottish distilleries can exchange their distillates to design their blends. Taste differences between the various Japanese whiskies can be very marked since each distillery maintains its production independence. Note that some Japanese distilleries incorporate a certain percentage of Scottish single malts. This is notably the case with Nikka, Ben Nevis and Suntory.

Over time, Japanese whisky has asserted its character to become a recognised type of whisky. Its specificities earn it a place on the wine lists of the greatest gourmet restaurants in the world. Originally, Japanese whisky had many similarities with Scotch whisky. Japanese whisky shares many taste similarities with Scotch due to its history. Indeed, the popularity of whisky in Japan was developed notably by a Japanese man, Masataka Taketsuru. He studied the art and techniques of whisky in Scotland. Upon returning to Japan, Masataka Taketsuru applied Scottish distillation techniques to produce Japanese versions. Masataka Taketsuru founded the first Japanese distillery. He is also behind the famous Nikka whisky, originating from his distillery created in 1934 and named Dainipponkajü. It is located in Yoichi on the island of Hokkaidō. Masataka Taketsuru is also behind the Kotobukiya whisky, which became Suntory, created in Yamazaki in 1924 in collaboration with another notable figure in Japanese whisky, Shinjirō Torii.

Japanese whisky gradually replaced sake among the Japanese people after the Second World War. Sake is, let us recall, the traditional alcoholic beverage of Japan. Once again, history played its part. At that time, Japan was under American occupation.

Japanese whisky in gourmet restaurants

Japanese whisky has its own characteristics stemming from several factors. Japan has a temperate climate, particularly pure water and peat bogs. The famous peat bogs that give rise to the term peated to characterise certain whiskies. Water filtered through peat is considered ideal for producing quality whisky. Chefs and sommeliers of gourmet restaurants value Japanese whiskies on their wine lists for their taste peculiarities.

This selection of Japanese whiskies allows you to discover, find and buy the finest this spirit has to offer. Japanese whiskies considered the best by legitimate and credible professionals. The perfect opportunity to enjoy a fine glass of Japanese whisky.

An authentic ranking and comparison to choose a Japanese whisky

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The selection of premium Japanese whiskies

How is a Japanese whisky selected on Bestwine • Online? Bestwine • Online references Japanese whiskies featured on the wine lists and in the cellars of the most renowned gourmet restaurants worldwide. Japanese whisky references championed by the greatest chefs and sommeliers, themselves praised by critics. Only Japanese whisky references sold online are offered so you can easily buy them.

How is the reference of the best Japanese whiskies updated? The reference of the best Japanese whiskies is updated daily by integrating new references from the wine lists of gourmet restaurants made available to us. Similarly, we update commercial and promotional offers so you can buy a quality Japanese whisky online at the best price. We commit to presenting only Japanese whisky references from the wine lists of awarded restaurants.

For a good Japanese whisky at low cost

I tasted my first Japanese whisky in 2015 in a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. It was an extraordinary discovery for me. Japanese whisky has taste characteristics that are unique and that I have not found in any other whisky in the world.

Japanese whisky is now one of my favourite spirits, one I love to taste.

I created Bestwine • Online so that everyone can discover and appreciate Japanese whisky. Whether you have never tried Japanese whisky or you are an expert, you can freely draw inspiration from competent professionals who champion the best Japanese whisky references in their cellars and on their wine lists.

You can discover Japanese whisky by trusting an unbiased and reliable reference. Through this reference of the best Japanese whiskies, I also want to highlight the gastronomy professionals who constantly seek out the finest bottles.

Everyone has their own taste, just trust the chefs and sommeliers to find your favourite bottle of Japanese whisky.