Japanese Whisky Voted Best In World

[Nathan Flowers]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article3822531.ece

Yes, it's "Suntory Time."

Like English wine, it has suffered from the taint of inauthenticity and has been the butt of condescending jokes. Now Japanese whisky has finally scotched all criticism by being voted the best in the world, ahead of its Highland rivals.

Yoichi 20 years old, distilled on the shores of the Sea of Japan, has become the first variety produced outside Scotland to win the coveted single malt award in an international competition run by Whisky Magazine, the main industry publication.

The whisky, distilled near the city of Sapporo on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, beat dozens of other varieties, including last year’s winner, Talisker 18 years old, produced on the Isle of Skye.

Now I've never had Suntory, and I'm not even sure it's carried anywhere near me, but I'm going to try finding it. Anybody else tried it?

 

[Ben]

I have. It is smooth, but I don't think it has the same elements in the flavors that you find in scotchs and bourbons.

It is closest to Irish whiskey in my experience.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'll check it out if it's not restrictively expensive.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Starting at £44.99 a little out of my range for a regular drink, but i might get a bottle to have sitting around to offer to friends.

bk

 

[Smithy]

The History Channel or Discovery had a very good doco on last year about Japanese whiskies and their history.

Was hugely interesting. Haven't tried one yet but keen to.

 

[LaMedicine]

YOICHI is produced by NIKKA WHISKY not Suntory.
Suntory's prize winning whisky is HIBIKI.
My impression is that Nikka products have a drier taste than Suntory. But then, I am not sure I am a good connoiseur when it comes to whisky.lol
However, I am the great-granddaughter of the founder of the oldest commercial shochu distillery (now owned/run by my second cousin and her family) in Kagoshima, the heartland of shochu, so I may have inherited some sort of discerning palate.

Incidentally, here's a link to a web page on one of Suntory's TV commercials in which Sammy Davis Jr. starred. There's a link in it to the sounds. (English translation by me. )
Jazz and CM: Sammy and Suntory.

 

[Tomasso]

here's a link to a web page on one of Suntory's TV commercials in which Sammy Davis Jr. starred. There's a link in it to the sounds. (English translation by me. )
Jazz and CM: Sammy and Suntory.

Great stuff, LaMedicine.
fftopic:
When I first traveled to Japan in '83 I was amazed by how many A-List American actors were featured in commercials there. These same actors would have never lowered themselves to do an American commercial. It appears that they were given a truckload of $$$$ along with the assurance that the commercials would never be seen outside of Japan.

 

[Feraud]

When I first traveled to Japan in '83 I was amazed by how many A-List American actors were featured in commercials there. These same actors would have never lowered themselves to do an American commercial. It appears that they were given a truckload of $$$$ along with the assurance that the commercials would never be seen outside of Japan.

For a look at the commercials see Japander.
I have been laughing at Schwarzenegger for years.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'd certainly do it for the money.

bk

 

[Mojave Jack]

However, I am the great-granddaughter of the founder of the oldest commercial shochu distillery (now owned/run by my second cousin and her family) in Kagoshima, the heartland of shochu, so I may have inherited some sort of discerning palate.

fftopic: I've never had shochu, but from the definition sounds very much like Korean soju. Is it similar in taste and distilling process? I enjoyed soju quite a bit, but wow! you had to watch out for the delay. It goes down very smoothly, then hits you all at once.

 

[LaMedicine]

fftopic: I've never had shochu, but from the definition sounds very much like Korean soju. Is it similar in taste and distilling process? I enjoyed soju quite a bit, but wow! you had to watch out for the delay. It goes down very smoothly, then hits you all at once.

My father often explained shochu as Japanese spirit to foreign visitors because it's distilled. (Sake is not.) Yes, Korean shoju are basically the same as shochu. However, they may be distilled more than once, I don't really know.

Jinro, a Korean shoju is imported here and popular. Jinro is described to be sweeter than Japanese shochu, though.
Shochu and shoju are phonetically close, and "sho" most likely uses the same Chinese character "焼" which means "to burn". Ju is probably "酒" alchohol, as compared to chu "酎" which means concentrated alcohol. Alcohol produced the same way are called "焼酒" (the pronunciation probably something like shoshu, in Chinese as well, I am told.
Alcohol concentration is relatively high at 25% when compared to sake, which is around 13-14%, about the same as wine.

Original shochu was distilled only once, as opposed to the shochu that are produced by larger companies since the mid-Meiji era (Meiji era lasted from 1868-1912). My great grandfather started his enterprise in 1869. Though shochu was produced long before that, until my great grandfather, they were produced as household products, and not as commercial merchandise. The company, Shirakane Shuzoh, now owned and run by my second cousin, has a new and modernised factory, but also maintains the original factory that still produces shochu sticking to the traditional method, right down to the Satsuma ceramic jars and cedar barrels. My branch of the family are not involved in the business save for family ties, but I am delighted that the various brands they produce have won top prizes in the All Japan Alcoholic Beverage Contest for three consecutive years.

 

[Mike Hammered]

Shochu is grand and should be on your shelf.

Alcohol content is between 20 and a gazillion %, depending on the brand.

It can be taken cold or hot, straight, on the rocks, or mixed with just about anything you can pour into it.

It comes in 1.8 liter bottles (or cartons) and sells for as little as 10 dollars.

IT NEVER GIVES YOU A HANGOVER - NEVER!!!

BWaaaaaaaaaHAaaaaaaaaaHAaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

La Medicine,

Which company are you related to?

 

[Tomasso]

Well, I enjoy La Medicine regardless of her relatives.

 

[Mike Hammered]

La Medicine,

Sorry, indeed. I just read your post with both eyes open and saw the link to the company. Nice site - I wonder that they haven't gotten you to do an English version.

Also gets me to wondering how many FLers are here. Looks like three or so.

 

[tonyb]

I had a bottle of it a few years ago -- a gift, as I recall. I thought it was a nice bottle of Scotch, even if it was made in Japan.

I've since given up the sauce -- not because of any moral compunction or legal hassles or anything of that sort, as alcohol has yet to contribute to my driving a car into a river or in any way harming a person who didn't have it coming anyway, but because of one of my doctor's strong suggestion. (When you have ongoing relationships with multiple medical specialists, well, that's a sign.)

Suntory? Yeah, good stuff. I recommend it. But then, I recommend Schlitz, too, if that's all you got.

 

[LaMedicine]

Aw, you gentlemen are all too sweet.

MH, there's at least 4, daizawaguy, who lives about a 15 minute train ride from here.
Haven't met him, though.
There's also someone--his screen name slips my mind--in Gunma, I think. And there was someone else a while back in Sendai, who posted about moving into the Kanto area. Haven't seen him around much, though, and his name slips my mind, too. sorry.

If everyone wants to meet, I am willing to bring along a bottle of our shochu.

 

[Ben]

Suntory Yamazaki

I bought a bottle of Suntory Yamazaki a couple days ago. It is is tasty, but if you get it, I would recommend putting a splash of water in it. It really does open up the flavor and reduce the harshness. When I was in Japan, i ordered it and it came in a bottle that already had the water added. It was little strange, but after trying it both neat and with a little water, I understand why.

Also, while I'm making recommendations, let me recommend meeting LaMedicine in person. I had the good fortune to have dinner with her while I was in japan and had a great time.

 

[Ben]

Suntory Manhattan

Tonight I tried using Suntory for a Manhattan.

I used Suntory, Extra Dry Vermouth, and my home made bitters. It was too dry for a Manhattan I think.

More cocktail reviews as I try them.

 

[daizawaguy]

Thanks for the mention!

Browsing through the pages with a glass of rice SHOCHU, and what do I come across but my NAME! Thanks Kusuri-san!

 

[LaMedicine]

Thanks Kusuri-san!

lol lol lol
My screen name comes from French, actually. "Le medcin" means dr/physician in that language. Since the French language has gender, hence, la medicine.