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The 12 Best Japanese Whisky Brands Of 2023

Our top picks for sipping and mixing cocktails.

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best japanese whiskey

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Japanese whisky is one of the most sought-after spirits in the world. Many experts agree that it rivals Scotch and American whiskey in terms of international prestige. So if you're looking for a new whisky to add to your liquor cabinet, consider one of these Japanese options, which represent a wide range of flavor profiles and price points.

Our top picks

Why is Japanese whisky so good?

Many people think of Japanese whisky as the créme de la créme of whiskies. It shares some characteristics with Scotch, which makes sense considering its history. In the late 1910s, Masataka Taketsuru travelled from Japan to Scotland to study chemistry. Instead, he fell in love with Scotch (we probably would, too). He brought the tradition back to his home country and opened Japan's first two whisky distilleries.

Much of Japanese whisky is made like Scotch. It uses malted barley and is aged in wood, like Scotch, imparting drier and smokier flavors, unlike bourbon, which leans sweet. And it's spelled Japanese whisky without the e, as Scotch whisky is also spelled without the e.

How we chose these products

We reached out to chefs, bartenders, and restaurateurs to find out which Japanese whiskies they like to sip on and mix into cocktails. We collected their favorites and made sure we had options to fit every budget, from under $50 to $3,000.

Looking for all different types of whiskey? Check out our favorite whiskey brands. If you need some recs on bourbon, here are the best ones to try.

1
Best Overall

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky

Editor’s Choice
Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky
Credit: Drizly

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky comes highly recommended. No less than four chefs and beverage directors raved about it when we asked for their faves. "It has been my go-to whisky recommendation for anyone new to the Japanese category for many years," said James Shearer, Global Beverage Director at Zuma, a Japanese restaurant in New York City.

"It has an aroma of cinnamon and blossom that gives off a refreshing scent," said Mike Alaridi, chef de cuisine at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar in Chicago. "It's smooth with just enough sweetness to highlight the fruits—grape and pineapple. You can also taste clove spice, and that it was smoked from the barrel."

2
Runner Up

Nikka From the Barrel

Nikka From the Barrel
Credit: The Whisky Exchange

Nikka From The Barrel comes in second. It's just as highly regarded, and has a "full flavor and richness of coffee, old oak, and tobacco [that] blends well with the hints of pepper and allspice," said Eva Kovacikova, regional bar manager at Zuma.

"The slight salinity at the end balances all the flavors and pairs well with globally-inspired Mediterranean dishes," said Allen Dabagh, chef at Middle-Eastern and American restaurant Boutros in New York City.

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3
Best For Cocktails

Suntory Whisky Toki

Suntory Whisky Toki
Credit: Total Wine

When it comes to choosing a whisky that will play well with cocktails, Bella Marriot, general manager of Bar Beau in New York City, loves Suntory Toki. "While there isn't a ton of depth to it, the flavor profile comes out strongly in cocktails and highballs, and its price point makes it possible to use it as such."

She loves it in their Paisley Island cocktail made with amaro, cucumber, coconut, egg white, and sesame.

4
Best Multipurpose

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky

If you're looking for a Japanese whisky at a decent price point, go for Hibiki Harmony. It works well on the rocks, sipped neat, and in cocktails. Mayumi Kobayashi, general manager of Japanese restaurant MIFUNE and omakase restaurant Sushi AMANE in New York City, likes to mix this with equal parts plum sake.

"Nothing beats watching space western anime with a glass of amazing Japanese whisky at the end of a busy New York City day," she said.

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5
Best On The Rocks

Kurayoshi 18 Year Malt Whisky

Kurayoshi 18 Year Malt Whisky

Kurayoshi 18 Year Malt Whisky is distilled using volcanic-rock-filtered water. "It's a bit more on the sweet side with some waxy honey notes on the finish," said Simon Sebbah, beverage director at the restaurant American Bar in New York City. "It's very light, high toned, and perfect to drink on the rocks."

6
Best After Dinner Sipper

Mars Iwai Tradition Fall Wine Cask Japanese Whisky

Mars Iwai Tradition Fall Wine Cask Japanese Whisky
Credit: Astor Wines

While it may not be traditional, Mars Iwai Tradition Fall Wine Cask Japanese Whisky's wine-cask finish imparts a wonderful flavor on this Iwai Tradition whisky. "It's very sweet and smooth with some vanilla and apricot finish," Sebbah said. "This is a great whisky for after-dinner sipping."

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7
Best Splurge

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Credit: Drizly

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky comes from the same distillery as our top pick, but it's aged for six additional years. "The heaviness and delicacy of the whisky creates an exquisite harmony of flavors," said Masaya Shirai, executive chef at modern Japanese restaurant Towa. The whisky is partially aged in old sherry barrels to give it a full body and complex flavor.

8
Most Unexpected

Hakushu 12 Year Single Malt Whisky

Hakushu 12 Year Single Malt Whisky
Now 55% Off
Credit: Drizly

What makes Hakushu 12 Year Single Malt Whisky a little different from the rest is the water. Master blender Keizo Saji uses high-quality water that's been filtered through ancient granite rocks found deep in untouched forests.

"The flavor profile is smoky and peaty, with notes of citrus, honey, vanilla, and a slight spice note at the end," said Bobby Leonardo, head bartender at Thai restaurant Wayla in New York City.

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9
Best Sipper

Komagatake Limited Edition Single Malt 2020

Komagatake Limited Edition Single Malt 2020
Credit: Total Wine

When you're sipping something neat, you want it to be expressive and complex, so it takes you on a journey. Komagatake Limited Edition Single Malt 2020 does just that, according to Jorge Centeno, head bartender at the hotel and restaurant Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest, Illinois .

"It guarantees an incredible array of flavors, including cherry, vanilla, a hint of orange and chocolate, spring honey, coconut, and candied ginger, while being balanced and light on the palate with little heat," he said.

10
Best Artisanal Whisky

Kurayoshi 8 Year Whisky

Kurayoshi 8 Year Whisky
Credit: Caskers

Aged in former bourbon barrels, Kurayoshi 8 Year Whisky is an artisanal, small-batch whisky. It's often tricky to find, but worth the search. Allegra Angelo, sommelier and co-founder of Miami-based wine retailer Vinya, is a fan. "On the nose, candied citrus, roasted nuts, and exotic spice unfold into an exceptionally long palate," she said. "A must for any whisky lover."

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11
Best Whisky To Gift

Women Who Whiskey Fukano Chizuru Cask Japanese Whisky

Women Who Whiskey Fukano Chizuru Cask Japanese Whisky
Credit: Mission Liquor

This limited release was made to celebrate the career of Chizuru Fukano, the former managing director of Fukano Distillery. "Aged in a combination of used sherry and red wine casks, the profile is delicate and fruity, versus bold and smoky," Angelo said. The fantastic flavor and really beautiful packaging make it an ideal gift for whisky lovers.

12
Best Cult Pick

Ichiro's Malt Hanyu 15 Year Final Vintage

Ichiro's Malt Hanyu 15 Year Final Vintage
Credit: Astor Wines

Ichiro Akuto, a Japanese whisky-industry rockstar, has a cult-like following among connoisseurs. "This whisky was made by his grandfather, Isouji Akuto, at their family’s legendary Hanyu distillery before it closed in 2000," said Lee Watson, beverage director and partner at the Filipino-Japanese restaurant Gugu Room in New York City.

On the nose, Ichiro's Malt Hanyu 15 Year Final Vintage starts mossy, but then transitions to sweet and oaky. The flavor is dark chocolate, blackberries, apples, nectarines, and blood oranges. It's extremely rare and costs $3,000.

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