Japanese Whisky Handbook

"In his new book, journalist Brian Ashcraft digs into the short but colorful history of the Japanese liquor and the process that differentiates Japan's labels from their Western cousins. Plus, whisky authority Yuji Kawasaki shares tasting notes for more than a hundred bottles."--Travel + Leisure Japanese whisky has been around for less than a century, but is now winning all the major international awards. How did this happen and what are the secrets of the master distillers? This whisky book divulges these secrets for the first time. Japanese Whisky features never-before-published archival images and interviews chronicling the forgotten stories of Japan's pioneering whisky makers. It reveals the unique materials and methods used by the Japanese distillers including mizunara wood, Japanese barley, and novel production methods unique to Japan. It also examines the close cultural connections between Japanese scotch and whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples. For the first time in English, this book presents over a hundred independently scored tastings from leading Japanese whisky blogger, Yuji Kawasaki, shedding new light on Japan's most famous single malts as well as grain whiskies and blends. Japan expert Brian Ashcraft and photographer Idzuhiko Ueda crisscrossed Japan visiting all the major makers to talk about past and present whisky distillers, blenders and coopers. Japanophiles, whisky lovers, travelers, and history buffs will all find something fascinating within these pages, including: Tasting notes and scores of every major Japanese whisky brand A complete account of the unique production methods and ingredients Information about visiting distilleries in Japan Hundreds of color photos documenting the history and modern practices of Japanese whisky Exclusive interviews and previously unpublished personal accounts from leading industry figures Japanese Whisky not only explains how the country's award-winning whiskies are made, but also the complete whisky history and culture, so readers can truly appreciate the subtle Japanese whiskies they're drinking and buying. Kanpai!

Japanese Whisky is the most up-to-date, comprehensive resource on Japanese whisky. This fully updated guide by whisky authority and Japanese whisky expert Stefan Van Eycken takes you on a tour of some of the most coveted whiskies in the world. Japanese whiskies have become some of the most highly valued whiskies, and have bested traditional producers in major international competitions. Blending proven Scotch and American methods with new ideas, these whiskies are imbued with exotic flavors from local Japanese woods to make a unique and signature product that rings true to Japanese terroir. This revised edition features new craft distilleries, putting a spotlight on their stories, their distillery set ups, and philosophies. Inside you’ll find: - Fascinating interviews and profiles with the most celebrated distillers and blenders, updated to include new competitors in the Japanese whisky world - An insider’s guide to the best whisky bars - How to drink whisky properly - Delicious cocktail recipes - Tasting notes and reviews of the best Japanese whiskies Shedding light on Japan’s most famous blends, its unique whisky culture, and history, Eycken takes you to the heart of Japanese whisky making. Find out why, when it comes to whisky, all eyes are on Japan with Japanese Whisky. "There isn't another guide on the market like it." — Jim Meehan, author of The PDT Cocktail Book "Japanese single malts have achieved cult status around the world." —Eric Asimov, The New York Times

**2020 James Beard Award Nominee** **2020 Gourmand Cookbook Award Winner for Japan in Spirits Books** Drink your way through Japan (even from home) with the help of this book! Japan is home to some of the world's most interesting alcoholic beverages--from traditional Sake and Shochu to Japanese whisky, beer, wine and cocktails that are winning global acclaim and awards. In this comprehensive survey of Japanese drinks, experts Stephen Lyman and Chris Bunting cover all the main types of beverages found in Japanese bars and restaurants, as well as supermarkets and liquor stores around the world. The book has chapters on Sake, Shochu, whisky, wine, beer, Awamori (a moonshine-like liquor from Okinawa), Umeshu plum wine and other fruit wines. There is also a fascinating chapter on modern Japanese-style cocktails--complete with recipes so you can get the authentic experience, including: Sour Plum Cordial Sakura Martini Improved Shochu Cocktail Far East Side Cocktail Thorough descriptions of the varieties of each beverage are given along with the history, production methods, current trends and how to drink them. Detailed bar and buyer's guides at the back of the book list specialist establishments where readers can go to enjoy and purchase the drinks, both in Japan and cities around the world, including London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Shanghai and more! This is an indispensable book for anyone interested in brewing, distilling, new cocktails or Japanese culture, travel and cuisine. Kampai! Cheers!

"There isn't another guide on the market like it."--Jim Meehan, author of The PDT Cocktail Book. The first, most definitive guide to the exciting revolution happening in the world of Japanese whisky! "Japanese single malts have achieved cult status around the world," wrote Eric Asimov in the New York Times. Indeed, Japanese whiskies have become some of the most sought after and highly valued whiskies in the world. They have blended and melded traditional Scotch and American methods with new ideas, and imbued the whisky with exotic flavors from local Japanese woods to make a unique and signature product that not only rings true of whisky, but also speaks to Japanese terroir. In international competitions they have bested the traditional producer, and they have become absolutely the object of affection in the distilled spirits world! Now here in Whisky Rising, whisky authority and Japanese whisky expert Stefan Van Eycken takes you on a guided tour to some of the most coveted whiskies in the world. This elegant book includes: *Fascinating interviews and profiles with the most celebrated distillers and blenders *Behind-the-scenes look into past and present distilleries *An insider's guide to the best whisky bars *How to drink whisky properly and cocktail recipes *Tasting notes and reviews of THE best Japanese whiskies

Gourmand World Cookbook Award-winner – Best Spirits Book Japanese whisky is finally getting the international recognition it deserves. Originally created to emulate the malts of Scotland, Japanese whiskies now hold a distinct and unique place among other world-class spirits. Yet, despite having a history going back nearly a century, and winning many prestigious awards in recent years (including Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards in 2016, 2013, 2011, and 2010, and The Whisky Bible’s World Whisky of the Year in 2013), Japanese whiskies have remained enigmatic and exotic. UntiI now. In WHISKY JAPAN, the most comprehensive book on Japanese whisky ever available in English, renowned expert Dominic Roskrow reveals what makes Japanese whisky so special and sought-after by whisky connoisseurs everywhere. He introduces the companies that make Japanese whisky, and offers detailed portraits of these distilleries, explaining their complex production processes, traditions, and the new innovations that have allowed them to take on and surpass the competition. The reader is carried along on a journey to the very heart of Japanese whisky making, with extensive tasting notes for all the leading expressions, a special selection of rare Japanese treasures, profile interviews with key personalities, and over 500 beautiful photographs and illustrations. Here are the whisky makers, blenders, independent bottlers, retailers, collectors, bloggers, and bartenders. There is a lively guide to the best bars around the world in which to taste Japanese whisky, a section on whisky cocktails and food pairings, and useful travel tips on how to get to the distilleries, where to stay, what to eat, and what else there is to do in the area.

This book, a definitive guide to Japanese whiskies and a first in its category, is an endeavor to document the facts and figures of a formative and exciting segment of the Japanese whisky industry. It is also an attempt to mirror the arduous work and joy surrounding the rise of a trade that became an industry on its own merits. "Japanese Whisky" portrays all distilleries involved in the foundation of a unique chapter in the global history of whisky making. Some of these entities are gone; others are still operating at full steam. Each distillery portrait contains histories and comprehensive technical data, some never published before. A special segment maps a vast number of whiskies produced over the years. Tasting notes, photo documentation and comments are included for each of them. Plenty of side information such as how to travel and visit distilleries, the Japanese whisky bar culture, how to and where to find Japanese whiskies and much more is highlighted in the book.

What? Whisky made in Japan? Seriously?This is the kind of remark one often heard in the past when people (especially in the West) were offered an alternative to Scottish whisky. But times have changed, and you may now happen to hear more often something like:What? You ran out of my favorite Yamazaki? Seriously?Some people first learned that Japan was making whisky with Lost in Translation, a Sofia Coppola movie from 2003.Many people, however, still do not realize that Japan is the world's third largest producer of whisky behind the Scots and the Americans, effectively above the Irish.But what makes Japanese whisky so special that it is now one of the most expensive spirits worldwide?What are the differences from a Scottish (or American) whisky?How come the Whisky Bible, the best-known book in the whisky world, elected a Japanese whisky, Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, its 2015 World Whisky of the Year?We'll see all this and more in The Little Book of Japanese Whisky!Answering these questions will lead us through a fascinating journey into the (drinking) culture of Japan from its origins all the way to the creation of one of the most refined spirits ever produced by mankind.Whether you're a whisky aficionado or not even a drinker, whether you're a Nippon fan or simply curious about the story behind some of the most expensive spirits in the world, you'll enjoy reading The Little Book of Japanese Whisky!Grab a copy now and join us in the real world of Japanese whisky lovers!Kampai!!!