The Best 20 Whiskies from Japan

Whisky or Whiskey? Who cares!? But what does define a great whisky? Why some whiskies stand over the rest? What makes a dram the best?

So hard questions... but let me make some ideas clear: older doesn't mean better and more expensive usually doesn't mean better neither. So, this list of delightful bottled pleasures is crafted by using the rating I have assigned to each of them when I have tasted them.

I, over all, love young peated whiskies, mid-age sherried monsters, old bourbon casks whiskies and very old grain whiskies. So, don't get surprised if the list shows this personal preference. You can find whisky recommendations list for a community-built list of best whiskies. Help us improve it even more by recommending your favorite whiskeys.

Without more delays, here is the list of the best Drinks available right now. You may want to see this list with all-time best whiskeys.

The Best 20 whiskies from Japan

86
Nikka Taketsuru 17 year
Japan Blended Malt Whisky

“Delightful! I can't express with words the fruity, honey and spices torrent that this japanese blended malt delivers.”
85
Suntory Yamazaki 12 year
Japan Single Malt Whisky

“Awesome japanese whisky on the budget range. Really love how complex it is and its fruity character. There are not many Scotch whiskies so good at this price”
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £90.55
84
Hakushu 12 year
Japan Single Malt Whisky

“Nice but a hell more subtle than Yamazaki. Although Hakushu single malt is supposed to be peated I get no peat on this one”
- Buy on The Drink Shop for £74.62
84
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Japanese Grain Whisky
Japan Grain whisky

“Incredible stuff! Smells old and bottled at a generous strength. Simply awesome... but no clue about what I am tasting, maybe Clan Denny dram?”
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £51.95
84
Nikka from the barrel
Japan Single Malt Whisky

“Delicious whisky with a complexity that I have not seen on most NAS whiskies of this price range. Highly recommended”
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £35.95
- Buy on The Drink Shop for £40.07
83
Nikka All Malt Pure and Rich
Japan Blended Malt Whisky

“A whirlpool of honey, toffee, spices, wood and fruits in your mouth. You can’t believe this is bottled just at 40% ABV. And look that price!”
- Buy on The Drink Shop for £32.48
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £37.25
82
Ichiro's Malt& Grain
Japan Blended Whisky

“Tastes a bit young but it is a very interesting japanese whisky.”
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £72.55
82
Nikka Pure Malt Black
Japan Blended Malt Whisky

“”
- Buy on The Drink Shop for £40.97
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £46.35
81
Nikka Pure Malt Red
Japan Blended Malt Whisky

“”
- Buy on The Drink Shop for £46.30
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £46.35
81
Nikka Super
Japan Blended Malt Whisky

“A bit flat on the palate but a lovely nose on this one... the weakest whisky from Nikka I have tried”
- Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £46.55