On the contrary, in Chicago, which admittedly has a pretty outstanding retail market for whiskey, it has never been easier to buy Japanese whiskey. Nikka Coffey Grain and even the Nikka Single Malts show up on the shelves at Binneys, our neighborhood liquor chain.
What is probably true is that it's harder to get Yamazaki. Yamazaki had a moment last year (I think?) when its Sherried Single Malt was named "best whiskey in the world". One reason why whiskey enthusiasts hate this "best whiskey in the world" nonsense is that it instantly turns brands into collector items, which get hoarded for trade and resale value instead of consumed by people who actually like whiskey.
But, whatever. Yamazaki was fine, but there's lots of good Japanese whiskey, and in the no-age-statement era of single malts, it has never been easier to get your hands on wine-casked whiskey expressions. It's a golden age. Enjoy it!
I really enjoy Nikka Coffey Grain. Distinctive flavor, and not especially expensive. As it should be -- Japanese whiskey was appealing because it was reasonably high quality, and cheap. There were lots of places in Japan where you could get a glass of Yamazaki for under $10, before all of the insanity. Oh well.
"One reason why whiskey enthusiasts hate this "best whiskey in the world" nonsense is that it instantly turns brands into collector items, which get hoarded for trade and resale value instead of consumed by people who actually like whiskey."
Yep. And it's not just whiskey. The attention of the internet is a good way to ruin just about anything. One day, you're enjoying your modestly good local diner, and the next there are Yelp elite waiting around the block for the same food.
(One could argue that the entire city of San Francisco is in the middle of the same phenomenon, but I digress.)
Same experience in Oakland. It has never been easier to find Japanese whiskey. In fact all kinds of spirits have been having a renaissance around here; you can get anything from anywhere including many local spirits. That’s on top of the craft beer tidal wave.
Same in Dallas. Japanese whisky is expensive, sure, but you can find it no problem.
There's one excellent bar near me (Ron's Place) that has a wonderful selection of whisky, and they have several Japanese examples. Looking at their list, though, they cost about twice as much as a typical scotch. Most of the scotches on the list that aren't highly aged are in the teens, while the Japanese whiskies are all in the twenties. Now, mind you, there are some 18-year and 21-year scotches on their list that are in the forties and fifties, but those are the exceptions.
Umami Mart on Broadway now has a really great selection of Japanese whiskey! They also have some super weird Japanese beers.
> That’s on top of the craft beer tidal wave.
Ghosttown brewing in West Oakland shreds (and they have an amazing taco truck staffed by the nicest old ladies in the world)!
I've been a bit underwhelmed by the other breweries in Oakland. :( Federation's beers tend to be a bit skunky while OPBC's taste like water. Rose's and Temescal are merely ok. Woods' beers are awesome, but I'm pretty sure they are based in San Francisco.
It depends on what you liked about Hibiki 12. You could try Nikka Coffey Malt if what you liked was the spirit itself, or you could try any wine-casked single-malt if what you liked was the aging characteristics. A thing I think is true about Japanese whiskey is that you have to go very high-end to get serious sherry/wine cask effects --- but the good news is that if that's what you're into, you can get that cheap from Scotland (try a Dronach 12, or an Aberlour A'bunadh).
How about a cheaper (I'd settle for more available) Nikka Coffey Malt? I discovered this a couple years ago, and it's by far my favorite whiskey. It used to be priced around $55/bottle in Chicago, but recently I've seen it going for as much as $80.
I really was surprised how much I liked it compared to the bottle of Nikka Coffey Grain I tried for comparison. I see the grain bottles everywhere, but malt is a bit more hit or miss it seems.
I think what I like about it is the lack of cask effects, while not being quite as "harsh" as the grain.
Yes, I had absolutely the same reaction to the Coffey Grain. Someone gave me a single "sample" of the Malt and it was night and day. This is the only alchohol I kinda don't keep in the house because it goes too quick if I do.
What is probably true is that it's harder to get Yamazaki. Yamazaki had a moment last year (I think?) when its Sherried Single Malt was named "best whiskey in the world". One reason why whiskey enthusiasts hate this "best whiskey in the world" nonsense is that it instantly turns brands into collector items, which get hoarded for trade and resale value instead of consumed by people who actually like whiskey.
But, whatever. Yamazaki was fine, but there's lots of good Japanese whiskey, and in the no-age-statement era of single malts, it has never been easier to get your hands on wine-casked whiskey expressions. It's a golden age. Enjoy it!