“It’s a bit unfortunate” that Japanese whisky has been linked since 2003 to the film Lost in Translation, said Jason Wilson in The Washington Post. When Bill Murray’s character shilled for Suntory, he made one of the country’s best whiskies seem cheesy. But Japan’s whiskies have “more finesse” and subtlety than many scotches or bourbons. Suntory is the brand most widely available in the U.S., so I’ve listed three of its bottlings worth trying.
Yamazaki 12-year-old ($40). Hints of “honey, clove, and spiced peach” distinguish this buttery whisky.
Hakushu 12-year-old ($60). More “green and fresh” than Yamazaki, Hakushu offers “crisp mint, ginger, and smoking-autumn-leaf notes.”
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Hibiki 12-year-old ($55). A blend of the previous two, Hibiki offers a unique mix of “spice and smoke and tropical fruit.” Its delicate sweetness is balanced by “a hint of tartness.”
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