In Laos, they make a lot of rice whisky/moonshine in home distilleries and are very generous at distributing it to passing foreigners. It's absolutely vile.
During the current Corona virus pandemic restrictions, I have plenty of time for reviews and updates to my spirit wish list. Great review. I have now added Kikori to my wish list. Last year (2019) I visited the San Diego Distillery after seeing your tour and review. I ended up buying a bottle of their 55.6% ABV Rice Whisky. Although I am relative whisky novice, this rice whisky is now one of my favorites. Thanks, keep up the good work and stay safe. Cheers!
I was gifted a bottle of Kikori this year, and it's my first Japanese whiskey. I've been through my Scotch era, and am well into a bourbon era. As a fan of Islays and high rye bourbons, I'm not even sure why I like this bottle, but it's wonderful. It's soft, sweet, and delicious. It has enough complexity to be interesting, but not enough to be challenging. It feels like a whiskey for someone who loves whiskey, but wants a whiskey vacation. This may be the start of a Japanese whiskey expedition.
I think it’s very interesting what parameters people have about scotch or whiskey and what dictates whether or not they would try it. I am a complete novice but I try to keep my mind open and don’t decide based on color, grain, or region. Isn’t it about the taste and smell? How else are you supposed to broaden your horizons? If you like a particular type of flavor, I understand, but this dude reviews different styles to give us a general guideline and his opinion. Thanks again for all the reviews. Keep up the great work.
Great review! I like that you review different whiskey/whiskeys! I really love the channel and I really look forward to each new video! Keep up the great content!
Thanks RJ! I find it helps me to improve myself by switching around to different types of whisk(e)y as well. Getting stuck on bourbon or scotch would be limiting to the way I like to drink.
I always felt that your reference to johnny walker red label was just a bit hyperbolic. However today at the gas pump I spilled a little on myself and i could smelled red label all day long.
The color is definitely from the rice. Distilling rice is a much different thing than distilling grains. It causes the very light color. As far as aging it was aged for 3+ years in American oak, French limousin oak, and sherry casks.
People are butt hurt. Little do they know there are several rice whiskey producers here in the states. Including some old country guy who couldn't get rid of all of his rice down in Louisiana. Until he remembered his dad use to make whiskey with oats. Which for 50 years were never used. Sorghum isn't even a grain yet people will gladly breaks the rules for it.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary this is one of the guys, but I know there is another older guy that does it. Here a link about it and some of his other stuff. ateliervie.com/ateliervie/new-whiskey-brandy-and-rum-from-atelier-vie/
I like your recommendations normally, but I don't intend to try this one. The color looks terrible, more like Mountain Dew than whiskey (from the rice, yes, but knowing that doesn't make the color richer).
Even though it's not clasified as "whiskey" in Japan, you call it "Japanese Whiskey"? They are trying to make money out of the fame of Japanese Whiskey when it's actually not whiskey at all and you're being a part of it just because they supplied you with a sample? Come on man! I thought you were better than this.
So, I considered your comment. It's not my intent to deceive anyone. Regarding the implication that I'd give a better review to someone who gifted me a bottle, I'm not exactly shocked, because people do sometimes do that... but either way i altered the title of this video. I've been given more expensive bottles and simply not covered them. I do think I"m better than what you're implying, and hope you will agree with me.
If it is legally a whiskey in the US, then it is a whiskey regardless what it is in Japan. In the end I don't care. Whiskey/Whisky/Spirit, what's in a name? As Ralfy says, this is a journey of smell and taste that we are on. Along the way there are guides whose opinions we seek. They are not responsible for what the distiller calls its product. Your accusation of bias is unfounded, and if you followed Bill for any length of time you would know he is a person of high integrity and gains nothing and seeks nothing that would cause him to pander his opinion.
Have you ever tried rice whiskey before?
Yes, not a good experience. But I love the tours you take us on with your vids and especially with Japanese whiskey.
I have a bottle of Toki that I'll get to some day as well. I think Toki is similar to this whisky
In Laos, they make a lot of rice whisky/moonshine in home distilleries and are very generous at distributing it to passing foreigners. It's absolutely vile.
Hah! The last sentence made this great
During the current Corona virus pandemic restrictions, I have plenty of time for reviews and updates to my spirit wish list. Great review. I have now added Kikori to my wish list.
Last year (2019) I visited the San Diego Distillery after seeing your tour and review. I ended up buying a bottle of their 55.6% ABV Rice Whisky. Although I am relative whisky novice, this rice whisky is now one of my favorites. Thanks, keep up the good work and stay safe. Cheers!
I was gifted a bottle of Kikori this year, and it's my first Japanese whiskey. I've been through my Scotch era, and am well into a bourbon era. As a fan of Islays and high rye bourbons, I'm not even sure why I like this bottle, but it's wonderful.
It's soft, sweet, and delicious. It has enough complexity to be interesting, but not enough to be challenging. It feels like a whiskey for someone who loves whiskey, but wants a whiskey vacation. This may be the start of a Japanese whiskey expedition.
I think it’s very interesting what parameters people have about scotch or whiskey and what dictates whether or not they would try it. I am a complete novice but I try to keep my mind open and don’t decide based on color, grain, or region. Isn’t it about the taste and smell? How else are you supposed to broaden your horizons? If you like a particular type of flavor, I understand, but this dude reviews different styles to give us a general guideline and his opinion. Thanks again for all the reviews. Keep up the great work.
Thanks sleepy! I'm with you. It's not how it gets there... it's the juice in the bottle that matters
Great review! I like that you review different whiskey/whiskeys! I really love the channel and I really look forward to each new video! Keep up the great content!
Thanks RJ! I find it helps me to improve myself by switching around to different types of whisk(e)y as well. Getting stuck on bourbon or scotch would be limiting to the way I like to drink.
Always something new Bill that I never heard of 🥃-Thanks!
Cool, I've been looking to try more Japanese whiskys outside of the couple I've had.
Suntory Hakushu 12 was my go to while I was in Japan. Bartender recommended it to me among others and it was the clear winner. Super smooth.
Just got a bottle in today!!! Very unique taste. 5/5 Stars.
Where did you find it? I don't see it around a lot anymore
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I ordered it online.
I always felt that your reference to johnny walker red label was just a bit hyperbolic.
However today at the gas pump I spilled a little on myself and i could smelled red label all day long.
Hah! Comment of the day
Never had a Japanese whiskey but I’m open to trying one
Have you tried HIBIKI?
I've tried it but haven't reviewed it
Try the nikka Coffey malt; it's pretty good
Sure is!
I didn't pay 50 bucks for it. Maybe 40. I'm in LA, perhaps it's cheaper here given it's "made" here.
Woot
Woot woot
A summer novelty item? OK...
Any comments on the age (length, wood, etc.) or appearance? It has an unusual color.
The color is definitely from the rice. Distilling rice is a much different thing than distilling grains. It causes the very light color.
As far as aging it was aged for 3+ years in American oak, French limousin oak, and sherry casks.
Interesting to know! Thanks, great video as always
People are butt hurt. Little do they know there are several rice whiskey producers here in the states. Including some old country guy who couldn't get rid of all of his rice down in Louisiana. Until he remembered his dad use to make whiskey with oats. Which for 50 years were never used. Sorghum isn't even a grain yet people will gladly breaks the rules for it.
Any idea who that guy is? Sounds interesting
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary this is one of the guys, but I know there is another older guy that does it. Here a link about it and some of his other stuff. ateliervie.com/ateliervie/new-whiskey-brandy-and-rum-from-atelier-vie/
100th like again
You got a good thing going keep it up
Lol no disrespect but you botched that parable. The storys goal was to have a balance in your life.
Sorry about that. I researched the parable and took the message from some website explaining the point of it.
I like your recommendations normally, but I don't intend to try this one. The color looks terrible, more like Mountain Dew than whiskey (from the rice, yes, but knowing that doesn't make the color richer).
Fair enough. Skip this one and save for the Glenmorangie Signet ;)
I love Glenmorangie Astar, so I'm sure Signet would be right up my alley.
It's not good. Never even saw that in Japan. This is for americans.
That's the point. It's not sold as a whisky in Japan
That's comparing apples to oranges though. They're very different whiskies
if you drink to much Japan whiskey your shrink.
Even though it's not clasified as "whiskey" in Japan, you call it "Japanese Whiskey"? They are trying to make money out of the fame of Japanese Whiskey when it's actually not whiskey at all and you're being a part of it just because they supplied you with a sample? Come on man! I thought you were better than this.
So, I considered your comment. It's not my intent to deceive anyone. Regarding the implication that I'd give a better review to someone who gifted me a bottle, I'm not exactly shocked, because people do sometimes do that... but either way i altered the title of this video.
I've been given more expensive bottles and simply not covered them. I do think I"m better than what you're implying, and hope you will agree with me.
If it is legally a whiskey in the US, then it is a whiskey regardless what it is in Japan. In the end I don't care. Whiskey/Whisky/Spirit, what's in a name? As Ralfy says, this is a journey of smell and taste that we are on. Along the way there are guides whose opinions we seek. They are not responsible for what the distiller calls its product. Your accusation of bias is unfounded, and if you followed Bill for any length of time you would know he is a person of high integrity and gains nothing and seeks nothing that would cause him to pander his opinion.
I appreciate that Barry. And that's a great quote from Ralfy