Posted on 06/05/2013 8:25:32 PM PDT by TexGrill
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – Japan is high on American whiskey, and Kentucky’s bourbon distillers are racing to the country, hoping to sell consumers on the merits of the iconic, corn-sweetened U.S. spirit.
Greg Davis, master distiller at high-end bourbon producer Maker’s Mark Distillery Inc., a subsidiary of Beam Inc., embarked in May on his first trip to Japan, thirsty for a taste of its burgeoning whiskey market.
U.S. whiskey exports to Japan have always been strong, but they recently entered a period of explosive growth, fueled by demand for the highball, a mix of whiskey and soda served over ice.
In the first quarter of 2013, Japanese imports of whiskey from the United States almost doubled over the same period in 2012, according to statistics compiled by the Japan Wines and Spirits Importers’ Association.
Bourbon, however, has not fared as well. As Tennessee whiskey — best known for Jack Daniels — and other American varieties fill up Japanese glasses, bourbon sales have evaporated 10 percent from 2011 to 2012.
(Excerpt) Read more at japantimes.co.jp ...
Japanese whiskey is like drinking Early Times (turpentine).. and is great for giving headaches and hangovers after just a glass :p
Your not drinking the right whiskey. The Yamazaki 18 single malt is quite good. However, the article is about the Japanese market for American whiskey.
Go for it, but Japanese are about the most lightweight drinkers in the world. Even when they go for the top shelf stuff, it ain’t for long.
Yamazaki is a bit too astringent for me. I still prefer the Islay single malts, or even a bottle of Ballentines over most Japanese spirits. However, if am going to drink the local stuff, Suntory Old is perfectly acceptable.
As for Bourbon? It’s good as a mosquito repellent, or so I’m told. No way I’d drink the stuff.
Jiggyboy, I don’t know who you’ve been drinking with, but I can introduce you to some 40 kg (or less) Japanese gals that I damn well guarantee can drink YOU under the table.
There’s a lot of variation, just as in any large group.
Did you feel the quake a few minutes ago? Wasn’t too bad.. maybe a 4.5 - 5 ..
As for Alcohol, I don’t drink very much/often anymore.. but if I do, it is a couple of glasses of Jim Beam or red wine ;)
Yeah, I felt it. I don’t think it was more than a 1 or 2 here in West Tokyo.
Fireball
too bad American Whiskey this days are made with GMO Corn. Jack Daniels had to switch to GMO about five years ago because there is not enough supply of non-gmo vailable. As of 2009(?) 80% of the corn crop in the US was GMO, 84% in Canada.
It might behoove someone to grow non-gmo corn and other grains and crops, but because of cross-pollination, one would have to find a secluded mountain top to grow. Maybe Macchu-Picchu?
You've been told wrong. I don't like scotch, but at least I tried it & decided for myself.
Try a premium bourbon like 12 yo Elijah Craig straight over chipped ice. NO water. It is a sipping bourbon. If you don't like that, you don't like bourbon.
On our birthdays, my cousin and I indulge in a nice bottle of bourbon. Bookers, Bakers and Woodford to name a few, but my cousin used to drink Jack Daniels exclusively. I have turned him onto cheap bourbon that is tons better than Jack D. Evan Williams and Heaven Hill black label is stronger smoother and better tasting than Jack. Heaven Hill white label is comparable to Jim Beam white label.
“However, if am going to drink the local stuff, Suntory Old is perfectly acceptable.”
Suntory Old and Kakubin are very good....more like Scotch.
Black Nikka is also a good one.
As a poor Eigo no Sensei (English teacher) all we could afford in the 60’s was Suntory Red......rotgut stuff.
I like Evan Williams, Woodford Reserve and Makers Mark. I would consider myself a novice, but when I find something I like, I stick with it.
I agree. Evan Williams is much better than Jack. Makers Mark is my favorite. Or Elijah Craig.
Tehy’ve been getting hammered on Americal Whisky since WWII. Why is this news?
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