47 浏览Japan has long been famous for its sake and beer, but in recent years, the country's whiskey distilleries have been turning heads for their prized spirits. Amongst these distilleries, Suntory and Nikka stand out as two powerhouses in the Japanese whiskey industry, each producing their own unique blends that have won fans all around the world.
Suntory, founded in 1899, is the oldest whiskey distillery in Japan. It was started by Shinjiro Torii, a pharmaceutical wholesaler, who was fascinated by the art of whiskey-making. Torii wanted to create a new kind of whiskey that would appeal to Japanese tastes, so he started experimenting with different blends until he found the perfect recipe.
Today, Suntory produces a range of different whiskeys, but its most famous is the Yamazaki Single Malt, which was first introduced in 1984. It's a smooth and delicate whiskey that's won numerous awards over the years, cementing Suntory's reputation as a world-class whiskey distillery.
Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who had traveled to Scotland to learn about whiskey-making. He returned to Japan with a wealth of knowledge and a Scottish wife, and he set up the first Nikka distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido.
Like Suntory, Nikka produces a range of different whiskeys, but its most famous is the Yoichi Single Malt. This whiskey is known for its smoky, peaty flavor, which is a result of using peat to dry the malted barley. The Yoichi Single Malt has won numerous awards and is highly sought after by whiskey enthusiasts around the world.
One of the things that sets Japanese whiskey apart from other whiskeys is the use of Mizunara oak barrels. These barrels are made from Japanese oak, which gives the whiskey a unique flavor that can't be replicated with other types of wood.
Another technique used by Japanese distillers is the art of blending. Rather than focusing on single malts, Japanese whiskeys are often blends of different types of whiskeys, each with its own unique flavor profile. This allows distillers to create complex and nuanced flavors that are prized by whiskey lovers around the world.
As the popularity of Japanese whiskeys continues to rise, distillers like Suntory and Nikka are facing new challenges. With demand outstripping supply, it's becoming increasingly difficult to produce enough whiskey to meet global demand.
However, this hasn't stopped Japanese distillers from innovating and finding new ways to create world-class whiskeys. With their commitment to quality and excellence, companies like Suntory and Nikka are sure to continue producing some of the best whiskeys in the world for years to come.
