The 13 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink

The 13 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink

Japanese whisky has become incredibly popular in recent years, causing bottles to grow rare and expensive as distilleries struggle to meet soaring demand. To fill the gap, brands have released new blends and NAS (no-age-statement) whiskies—many great for cocktails. But there’s a reason Japanese whisky is so sought-after: there are truly incredible drams to enjoy. When evaluating Japanese whisky, consider its color, how it’s aged, and the grains used, as these factors hint at its flavor and price.

Best Overall: Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Often considered the flagship single malt of Suntory’s lineup, Yamazaki 12 is a floral and fruity whisky reminiscent of Scotch, yet distinctly Japanese. It’s an excellent starting point for anyone exploring Japanese whisky.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Fruit, clove, orange

Best Under $100: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Nikka Coffey Grain is made mostly from corn (as opposed to the barley in single malts), yielding a creamy texture with a gentle sweetness that appeals to bourbon lovers.

ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, coffee, caramel

Best Under $50: Mars Shinshu Iwai 45% Whisky

This blended whisky from Nagano’s Mars Shinshu distillery is made with a corn-heavy mash (plus some malted barley and rye). It offers aromas of vanilla and baking spice with a lean palate of pear and quince — a great summer sipper that shines in cocktails thanks to its 45% ABV.

ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Baking spice, pear, vanilla

Best for Highballs: Suntory Toki Whisky

Suntory Toki is a versatile blended whisky. It features notes of citrus (pink grapefruit), almonds, and a light vanilla finish, making it perfect for mixing into a refreshing highball.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, smoke, apple

Best Single Malt: Hakushu 12 Year Old Whisky

Hakushu 12 is a single malt produced in Suntory’s mountain distillery. It has a woodsy, herbaceous nose with delightful fruit notes and a hint of light peat, yielding a unique yet approachable whisky.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Apple, light smoke, honey

Best NAS Blended: Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky

Akashi White Oak is a crowd-pleasing blended whisky aged in various casks (shochu, bourbon, sherry), giving a complex profile. It provides a bit of everything: richness from American oak, smoky peat undertones, and even a hint of leather on the finish.

ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, spice, marshmallow

Best Age Statement Blend: Hibiki 17 Year Old Whisky

Hibiki 17 is a superb blend of grain and malt whiskies aged nearly two decades. It has a silky-smooth mouthfeel and a buttery, fruit-laden palate, easily on par with top single malts and best savored neat.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Toffee, cherry, peach

Best Peated: Nikka Yoichi Single Malt

Nikka’s Yoichi Single Malt delivers ample peat smoke, though not quite Islay-level intensity, balanced by tropical fruit and caramel flavors. Sip it neat, or enjoy its smoky character in a bold highball.

ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Almond, smoke, vanilla

Best World Blend: Mars Maltage Cosmo

Mars Maltage Cosmo is a “world blended” whisky, combining spirit from Japan and Scotland. It tastes akin to a sherry-cask Scotch with hints of vanilla and plum, thanks to portions aged in sherry butts. It’s excellent over a few ice cubes or in an old-fashioned.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Orange, chocolate, dried fruit

Best for Bourbon Fans: Nikka From The Barrel

Nikka From The Barrel is a bold blended whisky that many bourbon fans love. It offers delicate vanilla and butterscotch notes with a hint of orange peel, and has enough character to be enjoyed in an old fashioned or sipped neat.

ABV: 51.4% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, caramel, oak

Best Rice Whisky: Kikori

Kikori is a rice-based whisky that qualifies as whisky under U.S. definitions. Aged in American, French, and sherry casks for a minimum of three years, it’s light and smooth. Try Kikori if you prefer a nice light whisky — it’s also great in a highball.

ABV: 41% | Tasting Notes: Floral, vanilla, citrus

Best 18-Year-Old: Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt

Yamazaki 18 is an iconic (and pricey) bottle, yet many say it’s worth the cost. Aged in a combination of American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak, this whisky yields a stunning range of flavors. It’s a lush, complex dram that tops many Japanese whisky lovers’ lists.

ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, candied fruit, vanilla

Best Small Batch: Hatozaki Small Batch Whisky

Hatozaki Small Batch is a light, fruit-forward blend aged about 5–6 years in oak. It spends time in bourbon, sherry, and Mizunara casks, offering notes of malted barley, damp earth, lemon, and sweet caramel. Some even detect a gentle smokiness and an almost saké-like quality at first sip, though it finishes firmly as a whisky. Try it in a highball — it’s very refreshing.

ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Sweet caramel, lemon, damp earth

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