I recently acquired a Nikka Coffee Grain and had a nip a few days back. I was very happy with it and you all nailed it: blind, I would’ve said a very good Bourbon. Tasty stuff.
Once upon a time Hakusha 12 was my favorite Costco grab for around $55-60. It’s a great whiskey but personally there are other bottles I would buy (especially at K&L) before spending $100 on it.
On a recent trip to Singapore I was lucky enough to try Nikka 17 Taketsuru at the ExciseMan Whisky Bar. The bar has a tremendous selection of Japanese whiskeys and is worth a visit if you find yourself there.
Interesting; I own the Hakashu 12, Yamazaki 17, and the Hibiki 17. My preference runs the reverse order from the Hibike down to the Hakashu. Maybe it takes on more subtlety with more age?
I stopped buying age statement Japanese whiskies around 4 years ago since they got scarce here in Metro Manila. The ones one could find available once in a while have been at least triple the price I used to buy them - not really prohibitive; but I just felt peeved at having to pay multiples of before. Some months ago, three of us killed a bottle of Yamazaki 12 during a birthday lunch at the firm; and, though a relatively modest whisky, I realised I missed it.
The other night, discussing the past rise of prices of Japanese age statement whiskies, my eldest son (the only one of my sons into whisky) mentioned he had never tried it; so, I bought him one. It was on sale; but still around a little less than quadruple what I used to get it for. I figured that’s what fathers are for, right?
If you watch the K&L new product feed like a hawk, you may be able to get Yamazaki 12 for around $100 (maybe a bit more now). It used to come up fairly regularly but recently not so often. It will sell out very quickly. Hakushu 12 and 18 also show up occasionally.
Thanks, Craig! Will keep an eye out as best I can. Price is about triple here in Manila, believe it or not.
When my eldest got home from work that night*(Tuesday), I told him I had gotten him a bottle of the Yamazaki 12. After dinner, I asked him if was going to try it out; and he replied he’d try it on Friday night as it was a weeknight. I told him one shot wouldn’t hurt; so we both had a bit.
As I remember it: creamy mouthfeel, viscous, honeyed, peach, super-ripe apricot, vanilla/custard, underlying liquorice candy. Some dried/candied fruits (like in fruitcake) emerge towards the back. Certainly something good with which a relative beginner to Japanese whisky such as he can cut his teeth. He was happy with it; so I was happy.
- Unlike in the US, it is pretty much the rule here that children move out only when they get married (or get booted out for some grave offence).
I was curious about the Nikka Coffee grain , a friend was kind enough to let me try some.My conclusion was mixed, I thought it was a very pleasant drink, it did not remind me of Bourbon other than the sweet finish, blind I would have guessed B&B.
Worth $40 yes, $80 no way.As always just my opinion.
Got me some Nikka from the barrel
Nikka From the Barrel is one of the few ‘values’ in Japanese whisky when you can find it imo. Still not cheap, but quite a good bang for your bunch if you see it for the usual MSRP (~$60 for 750ml). I have a decent collection of Japanese whisky but quite frankly its just so overpriced now. I rarely buy unless I actually go to Japan and am able to find them at lower costs (but that has become increasingly difficult).
I forgot about your post. I grabbed a bottle at the PLCB (Pennsylvania state store). Shelf price was $99, checked the receipt when I got home and it was $120. I don’t remember the prior price, maybe $80? I paid $60 for Lagavulin 16 in CDG.
$120 isn’t bad at all to my mind. In 2016, I could buy the Yamazaki 12 in Metro Manila at around the equivalent of $65-$70; then, Japanese whiskies quickly became very popular. Now, here, it’s quite pricier. I got the subject bottle “on sale” at the equivalent of $260.
Crazy, I was shocked it was $120. Turns out that the lowest price in the USA.
Until last year, Yamazaki 12 showed up at K&L for $100 pretty regularly. It sold quickly but it was possible to get it if you were watching closely. Now I believe it’s $140 when it’s there, but it’s less frequent. It still sells very quickly.
Some Hibiki 17 and 21 recently showed up and I think they priced them at $500 and $900. They sold immediately.
Does the Nikka Pure Malt White still exist? I always look for it in stores, and never find it.
I find Irish and Japanese whiskey to often be similar, for obvious reasons. Ireland should have cooler bottles to drive increased growth. Maybe modern designs by Waterford. Would be great marketing.
I’ve been drinking Nikka From The Barrel and it’s solid whisky for the price.
https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/top20/2018/1-nikka-from-the-barrel/
For bourbon lovers, I’m enjoying Legent. It’s Jim Beam bourbon partially finished in wine and sherry casks and blended by Suntory.
https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/legent-bourbon-japanese-whisky-master/
Has anyone had Hibiki Blender’s Choice? This is the ~15 year NAS that more or less replaced the 17, but isn’t generally available in the US. It’s around $100 in Japan, $350 in the US to the extent it’s here. K&L has had a few recently and they sold quickly.
I have not, but I will say this about Japanese whiskey, in general: it’s often quite good, but, over the past 5 to 8 years, it has become overpriced relative to it’s Scottish counterparts.