Top Reasons Why Japanese Whisky is Better than Scotch

Japanese distilleries are built in remote locations known for their water purity and clean rain forest environment. Yamazaki (ranked number one in the 2015 Whisky Bible) even has its own water source. The purity of the water source is of utmost importance to the Japanese, who have employed similar practices in brewing sake for centuries.

Due to the high number of distilleries in Scotland, most of them produce only one type of single malt. In Japan, because there are only a handful of distilleries, each brand produces a wide array of single malts and blends every year.

Bear with us for a brief science lesson. Japan is home to some of the highest distilleries in the world; as elevation increases, pressure decreases, and therefore the boiling point also decreases. A lower boiling point helps retain flavor and aroma and produces a smooth, more drinkable whisky.

While American whisky is typically filtered through charcoal, some Japanese distilleries filter their whisky in bamboo (How Japanese is that?), which helps purify the drink.

Interestingly enough, the barley used in Japanese whisky is imported from Scotland while Scottish distilleries typically import barley from Poland, Germany, and the US.

Japanese distilleries use a great variety of yeasts during fermentation, each with its own unique characteristics. Suntory Liquors has even created its own strain, suntoryeus lactobacillus.

The Japanese are masters of combining subtlety with complexity, and their whisky is no exception. Mild and smooth, even non-whisky drinkers have been known to come around to enjoying Japanese whisky.

Because of Japan’s climate, Japanese whisky tends to mature faster than Scotch, resulting in a product that tastes older and more refined than it actually is.

Scotch and American whiskies tend to be a bit harsher and are typically drunk on their own, however the Japanese love to drink highballs (whisky and soda water) with food. Purists will surely scoff at this, but it tastes good, so who cares?

Even as an import, Japanese whisky is not too hard on the wallet. A 12 year old Hibiki will cost you about $65, while older, more exclusive blends can cost into the thousands.

Nine different whiskies from Suntory Liquors won awards during the International Spirits Contest held in the UK in 2013. Nikka whisky was ranked “Best of the Best” by Whisky Magazine in 2001. Yamazaki (see introduction) produced what has been hailed as the greatest whisky in the world.

The patron saint of cool enjoys a Hibiki 30-year in the film, Lost in Translation. Bill Murray likes it; therefore, it is good.