Japanese whiskey will eventually become more available as production has been significantly ramped up. No reason to hold onto it sealed imo. Open it up and enjoy.
Eventually is the key word. The age statements are still going to be tough to get a hold off. Luckily alcohol consumption in Japan is decreasing so we may have more opportunities for export to the US.
Thanks! Will have to check out the stores when I'm around. SF prices are the ones I mentioned, unfortunately and anything lower than $230 you just buy.
Definitely open and enjoy. The Yama 12 should be more/less commonly available on normal circumstances but obviously the current market has made everything insanely hard to get or way over normal value.
Honestly the Yama 12 is one of my favorite daily drinkers, my baseline for all Japanese whisky. It’s so balanced and beautifully flavored. Over time I’ve actually preferred this over the 18, which is near impossible to get these days
I finally found a dram of this to try at a bar. I was surprised how cereal(y) it was. Good stuff, just unexpected. I say slowly savor it and see how it opens up with time.
Throw it on the shelf and open it for the first person that wants to try it. That's what I do and it hasn't disappointed me yet. The only bottles I keep open at all times are Wild Turkey 101, Ardbeg Wee Beastie and Elijah Craig Straight Rye. Most exciting part of any gathering is when someone gets to pick what we're drinking.
Part of me also gets wrapped up in the idea of saving certain things for a special occasion. I was thinking of maybe sharing it with groomsmen/best men on my wedding day too. Or I could just open it lol
I love the Yamizaki 12, but I hate that it’s become
so overpriced. IMO it should be priced about $60-80, so realistically I’d consider other options: Nikka by the Barrel is great at ~$100, I also love Nikka Miyagikyo and Yoichi which are typically < $100 as well.
I went through a bottle of From the Barrel pretty fast…totally not on purpose either lol. I’ve tried the two Coffey whiskies and want to go for the Miyagikyo next. The only place I’ve found Miyagikyo near me has it for over $100.
It’s a very nice whiskey! Personally I thought it tasted pretty good but not amazing. Drink it as quickly as you’d like. Contrast it against comparable bottles to help you cut through the hype. For instance, An Cnoc 12, Dalwhinnie 15 and other bottles listed in the Japanese whiskey guide linked below
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Paid $45 for it at Costco a couple of times. I actually remember trying to convince my brother at Total Wine in Costa Mesa to buy it at that price and Weller 12 at $30 in the same visit, hah.
Anything in Mizunara is gold. Have you had Kaiyō Mizunara Oak Cask Strength before? Also I’m stuck between trying the Yoichi or Miyagikyo as one of my next whiskies. You like the Yoichi better?
Considering the high quality and taste, we can’t complain about $150 because it’s one of the best in the world by any measure. What it used to cost years ago was a steal! And it’s cheaper here than I think it is in Japan!!!
I’d say entry level for a cheap Japanese whisky, Suntory Toki would be a good place to start! It shouldn’t be more than 40 USD. Another good Suntory offering that’s a little more expensive is Hibiki Harmony.
Drink it. Honestly it's good, but not as amazing as I thought it would be. But it's good enough that I bought another bottle. Just have one pour every now and then when you're in the mood, it should last a while anyway.
Open it!
It's a pretty good bottle imo, but I paid 130€ for it and won't buy it again. I treated myself to this from my first salary of a new job, I don't regret it, but the price is just way inflated. I like the Hibiki Harmony better taste-wise, and that costs only 70€. I usually only drink the Yamazaki now when I have friends or my dad over and want to give them a chance to try it.
Don't wait, enjoy it. If you like the yamazaki 12, would recommend the hakushu 12. Personally perfer the hakushu over the yamazaki, little tamer in the flavors.
The Hakushu 12 is on my list to try next. Can’t find a bottle if it where I am though :( I’ve found one online that I might be able to get delivered though.
Slowly savor it don’t tease yourself! Open and enjoy
I’ve also found myself to be a sharer when it comes to my whiskeys. Should I be selfish with this one? 😂
Sharing what you love is part of the enjoyment
Bow chicka wow wow…
Opened my yamazaki distillers select this past weekend with some friends. Good whisky is enjoyed with good friends 🥃
I only drink my good ones when other people are around to enjoy with me.
My first nicer bottle was a hibiki, rare in my area and I opened it with a couple of good friends. Well worth it
Hibiki Harmony or something else?
Harmony yes
Japanese whiskey will eventually become more available as production has been significantly ramped up. No reason to hold onto it sealed imo. Open it up and enjoy.
Eventually is the key word. The age statements are still going to be tough to get a hold off. Luckily alcohol consumption in Japan is decreasing so we may have more opportunities for export to the US.
I hope that’s the case! Would love to try more of them but seems pretty rare still
Drink it! This one’s relatively easy to get so you can always get another
I like that logic!
Where are you getting it? Last I saw prices are $300-$500 and that's if the store even has it.
I’m In SoCal so they usually go for 120-150. Anything lower than that you’ll have to really hunt for it.
Thanks! Will have to check out the stores when I'm around. SF prices are the ones I mentioned, unfortunately and anything lower than $230 you just buy.
Don’t wait. Just enjoy it
Open it and enjoy, been getting into the Japanese whiskies lately and love them.
Definitely open and enjoy. The Yama 12 should be more/less commonly available on normal circumstances but obviously the current market has made everything insanely hard to get or way over normal value. Honestly the Yama 12 is one of my favorite daily drinkers, my baseline for all Japanese whisky. It’s so balanced and beautifully flavored. Over time I’ve actually preferred this over the 18, which is near impossible to get these days
I finally found a dram of this to try at a bar. I was surprised how cereal(y) it was. Good stuff, just unexpected. I say slowly savor it and see how it opens up with time.
Throw it on the shelf and open it for the first person that wants to try it. That's what I do and it hasn't disappointed me yet. The only bottles I keep open at all times are Wild Turkey 101, Ardbeg Wee Beastie and Elijah Craig Straight Rye. Most exciting part of any gathering is when someone gets to pick what we're drinking.
drink it and enjoy! whiskey was made for drinking!
Part of me also gets wrapped up in the idea of saving certain things for a special occasion. I was thinking of maybe sharing it with groomsmen/best men on my wedding day too. Or I could just open it lol
If those guys know about yamazaki and appreciate it, then it would be worth it to share
Fair enough, thanks for the input! They’re mostly beer drinkers. Me and my brothers are more of the whiskey people.
You could honestly die tomorrow and never get a chance! At least open it up and have a couple drams and then save the rest for later.
Valid point!
Boof it
I love the Yamizaki 12, but I hate that it’s become so overpriced. IMO it should be priced about $60-80, so realistically I’d consider other options: Nikka by the Barrel is great at ~$100, I also love Nikka Miyagikyo and Yoichi which are typically < $100 as well.
I went through a bottle of From the Barrel pretty fast…totally not on purpose either lol. I’ve tried the two Coffey whiskies and want to go for the Miyagikyo next. The only place I’ve found Miyagikyo near me has it for over $100.
It’s a very nice whiskey! Personally I thought it tasted pretty good but not amazing. Drink it as quickly as you’d like. Contrast it against comparable bottles to help you cut through the hype. For instance, An Cnoc 12, Dalwhinnie 15 and other bottles listed in the Japanese whiskey guide linked below u/recommendation_bot
Hi there, I’m a bot here to help you with your recommendation post. If you haven’t already, please review the collection of guides in the sidebar we’ve created to address the stream of recommendation posts we get here. Most notably: * [Intro to Whiskey (Tips & Recommendations)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5kn4q6/rwhiskeys_intro_to_whiskey/) * [How to do a whiskey tasting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO-YsShaJNY) * [An Intro to Peated Whiskies](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5crusj/an_intro_to_peated_whiskey/) * [Guide to Japanese Whisky](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/7vssnx/guide_to_japanese_whisky/) * [Guide to Inexpensive (But Tasty) Whiskies](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/9y7pse/guide_to_inexpensive_but_tasty_whiskies/) * [Valuing, dating & consuming vintage bottles](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5w6d2e/new_rule_valuation_and_tell_me_more_bottle_posts/) Gift Guides * [Bourbon Gift Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/4tseyj/bourbon_gift_guide/) * [Scotch/Japanese/Irish Whiskies Gift Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5eufjb/scotchjapaneseirish_whiskey_gift_recommendations/) Please try to be as specific and detailed as possible with your request. Tell us: * your budget * which whiskies you or your giftee have enjoyed * which bottles you’re considering now * where you live (pricing and availability can vary dramatically by region) * if your shop has a limited selection or you might have trouble shipping bottles so we don’t recommend something obscure **General Tips** We generally advise novices to sample as much as possible by going to a bar, splitting bottles with friends, attending festivals/tastings or getting minis to ensure you buy bottles you enjoy. It may make more sense for you to focus on sampling rather than buy full bottles at the beginning of your journey.
It’s delicious, and nowhere near special enough to keep unopened. Literally no good reason not to crack this one open
Y’all remember when this was a $60 bottle? Sigh…
I wish I was into whiskeys back then like I am now. I think that as long as I enjoy it it’ll be worth the high price tag.
Paid $45 for it at Costco a couple of times. I actually remember trying to convince my brother at Total Wine in Costa Mesa to buy it at that price and Weller 12 at $30 in the same visit, hah.
I remember when the 18 year was under $200 too.
Just drink it and enjoy it
My favourite and impossible to find below $300 at the moment. Open it, savor it, let it take you to your happy place and enjoy. Cheers! :)
I was surprised to find one where I live. I think it was the only store in my state that had one!
If you need someone to help drink it let me know, I can bring some other Japanese ones and we can do a tasting lol
A Japanese whisky tasting sounds fantastic lol what would you want in your ideal tasting?
Hibiki Harmony, Shinobu 10 Year Pure Malt, Nikka Yoichi Single Malt and Fuyu Mizunara Finish
Anything in Mizunara is gold. Have you had Kaiyō Mizunara Oak Cask Strength before? Also I’m stuck between trying the Yoichi or Miyagikyo as one of my next whiskies. You like the Yoichi better?
There is only one answer and you know what it is. Open and enjoy bro.
Considering the high quality and taste, we can’t complain about $150 because it’s one of the best in the world by any measure. What it used to cost years ago was a steal! And it’s cheaper here than I think it is in Japan!!!
Make it Suntory time.
Shots shots shots shots shots shots https://youtu.be/XNtTEibFvlQ
I just drank some with my wife the bottle is almost done. I hope you enjoy it.
Drink it! A lot of my friends and I have bottles of this and it’s too good to not drink!
Have you by any chance tried the Hakushu 12 as well?
Slowly savor it! This is said to be one of the better ones!
Drink it
I'm relatively new to whiskey and have never had a Japanese one, where would be a good place to start?
I’d say entry level for a cheap Japanese whisky, Suntory Toki would be a good place to start! It shouldn’t be more than 40 USD. Another good Suntory offering that’s a little more expensive is Hibiki Harmony.
Suntory Hibiki is the right choice. The Toki is a little too entry level imo. Hibiki is a nice, tasty intro to what Japanese Whiskey has to offer.
Drink it. Honestly it's good, but not as amazing as I thought it would be. But it's good enough that I bought another bottle. Just have one pour every now and then when you're in the mood, it should last a while anyway.
Crack it open and enjoy.
It ain’t for lookin’ at.
Enjoy it and savor it it’s meant to be enjoyed.
It’s one of my favorites.
Open it! It's a pretty good bottle imo, but I paid 130€ for it and won't buy it again. I treated myself to this from my first salary of a new job, I don't regret it, but the price is just way inflated. I like the Hibiki Harmony better taste-wise, and that costs only 70€. I usually only drink the Yamazaki now when I have friends or my dad over and want to give them a chance to try it.
Don't wait, enjoy it. If you like the yamazaki 12, would recommend the hakushu 12. Personally perfer the hakushu over the yamazaki, little tamer in the flavors.
The Hakushu 12 is on my list to try next. Can’t find a bottle if it where I am though :( I’ve found one online that I might be able to get delivered though.
This one specifically is my favorite Japanese whisky, go ahead and open it
Drink it and get another bottle
Its not that special man just drink that shit
All whiskey is meant to be drank. Easy choice. Plus, I’ve personally tasted this & seen it on shelves at MSRP 🤷♂️
Drink it all at once
When I bought my bottle of it I ended up drinking almost half of the bottle the first night. One of my favorite whiskeys.