Interesting to have your take on these, Mac, the Yamazaki 18 Mizunara finished version is the only one I haven't tried among those 4, maybe this afternoon but not sure as there'll be again a lot of people at the show...The peated versions were my fav too, btw, kanpaï !
Well done video. The editing, camera angles and overall presentation is great. The sound quality is really good which is surprising given the background noise of people. Do you think Japanese whisky will become economically competitive on the market or remain mostly a niche market for Japanese whisky fans?
Thanks for your kind words. I think that the latter situation will continue, especially overseas where pricing seems rather at odds with what is in the bottle. However, as more and more distilleries drop their liquid into the market we may see capitalist pressures bringing pricing down... unless there is a lot of collusion between producers to maintain the Veblen Good status of Japanese Whisky.
Outside of specialist bars these are unobtainable in Japan. A Japanese whisky reviewer has recently called out fake versions that are being sold on Amazon Japan.
Great video. I tasted all four bottles at Whiskyherbst in Berlin just a few weeks ago. I liked the Yamazaki Mizunara slightly more than the Hakushu, but both are great malts. I get Buddhist temple vibes from the first, while the latter is like a walk in the forest. The Golden Promise was nice, while the Peated Islay raised the question: why? Does Japanese whisky need Islay peat? At least not at this price point. Would I buy any of these bottles? Hell, no. But it was a great tasting.
Glad you enjoyed it, and we share similar thoughts on the bottles. I recently expressed on a livestream the same thoughts about Islay Peat in a slightly different context, so we are on the same page about that too!
Really want to taste it but paying about or more than $500 for a bottle of NAS is out of my affordability in my current life stage, hope that I can try it in some bars one day, maybe in aloha whiskey next time in Tokyo, haha
The bottle pricing is indeed pretty punchy. In the case of the Golden Promise and the Islay Peatedv the Essence of Suntory releases might be the versions to try in Japan as they were a lot cheaper.
“British school tuck shop” Love that note, if you know….
...you know! Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Interesting to have your take on these, Mac, the Yamazaki 18 Mizunara finished version is the only one I haven't tried among those 4, maybe this afternoon but not sure as there'll be again a lot of people at the show...The peated versions were my fav too, btw, kanpaï !
Hakushu Peated Malt for the win! Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
the texture of the golden promise was exceptional. many steps above most other japanese whiskies ive tried, maybe with chichibu as the only exception.
Agreed! Lovely mouthfeel. Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Another great video, what a privilege to taste those amazing and rare whiskies.
It certainly was! A terrific line-up. Thank you for watching and commenting.
It was great to meet you in person! I loved the Islay Peated.
It is a nice one... but something has to be lower in the rankings! 🤓🥃🥃🥃
Great to meet you too. Looking forward to the next time. Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Well done video. The editing, camera angles and overall presentation is great. The sound quality is really good which is surprising given the background noise of people. Do you think Japanese whisky will become economically competitive on the market or remain mostly a niche market for Japanese whisky fans?
Thanks for your kind words. I think that the latter situation will continue, especially overseas where pricing seems rather at odds with what is in the bottle. However, as more and more distilleries drop their liquid into the market we may see capitalist pressures bringing pricing down... unless there is a lot of collusion between producers to maintain the Veblen Good status of Japanese Whisky.
Outside of specialist bars these are unobtainable in Japan. A Japanese whisky reviewer has recently called out fake versions that are being sold on Amazon Japan.
Keeping it real all the time!
Working on it! Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Great video. I tasted all four bottles at Whiskyherbst in Berlin just a few weeks ago. I liked the Yamazaki Mizunara slightly more than the Hakushu, but both are great malts. I get Buddhist temple vibes from the first, while the latter is like a walk in the forest. The Golden Promise was nice, while the Peated Islay raised the question: why? Does Japanese whisky need Islay peat? At least not at this price point. Would I buy any of these bottles? Hell, no. But it was a great tasting.
Glad you enjoyed it, and we share similar thoughts on the bottles.
I recently expressed on a livestream the same thoughts about Islay Peat in a slightly different context, so we are on the same page about that too!
Thanks for sharing! the Yamazaki Mizunara's 18-Year in this release the same as the 100th anniversary 18-YO?
It is a different batch of the same concept.
Another great video. The whiskies are beyond my budget though :(
Yep Mac i'm never into peaty smoke! 😝
I'm a sweet guy!!! 😊
So they say! 🤓🥃
Wait what? Non-chill filtered and no caramel coloring added? Has Suntory gone mad!?!? 😉
No comment! 🥃🥃🥃
Really want to taste it but paying about or more than $500 for a bottle of NAS is out of my affordability in my current life stage, hope that I can try it in some bars one day, maybe in aloha whiskey next time in Tokyo, haha
The bottle pricing is indeed pretty punchy. In the case of the Golden Promise and the Islay Peatedv the Essence of Suntory releases might be the versions to try in Japan as they were a lot cheaper.
wow!!!!!!!!!
Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
I do love the Hakushu 12 we have, Prices have kept me away from the 18. And those prices absolutely no.
It's a shame that the pricing of the 18s is so toppy!
I'm sure these are tasty but not worth the $1000+ price tags in the US.
The bottle pricing is punchy for sure! 🥃🥃🥃
No Japanese whisky is worth the prices they charge for them.
I would respectfully disagree with the precise point, but I do have sympathy with the sentiment. Thank you for watching and commenting. Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃