“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.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.”
-
Why are federal judges criticizing SCOTUS?Today's Big Question Supreme Court issues Trump case rulings 'with little explanation'
-
September 8 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Donald Trump booed at the U.S. Open, a hidden message in the Epstein Files and a new bird in Florida
-
How to see more of The Week's stories on GoogleHow to Add The Week as a preferred source to get more of our award-winning coverage
