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Top 9 Japanese Whiskies 2026: Uncorked
The Number One Spot . . .
Based on what our customers loved last year, our number one spot for 2025 was the Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
A blended whisky from Suntory that brings to life the harmony of Japanese nature and craftmanship. A delicate and well balanced expression that is both subtle and complex, crafted with more than 10 malt and grain whiskies to create a harmony of flavours and aromas.
The constituent malts come from Suntory’s two malt whisky distilleries, Yamazaki and Hakushu, and the grain component from the company’s Chita Distillery. Founded in 1923, Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest whisky distillery. It was designed by Masataka Taketsuru (‘The Father of Japanese Whisky’), a young chemist who had been sent to Scotland four years previously by Suntory’s founder, Shinjiro Torii.
Hakushu was built by Shinjiro’s son in 1973 and is one of the largest malt distilleries in the world. The production process is very similar to that for Scotch whisky, and the product is the closest in style to Scotch of all non-Scotch whisky. But it is by no means a copy: from the start, the aim was to create a unique Japanese style.
Pale amber in colour. A delicate scent of polished copper and light vanilla to start with, developing complex floral, green, mossy then fresh oaky notes, changing all the time. A surprisingly dry mouthfeel, and a lightly sweet, then chilli-pepper taste, at full strength, mellowing with a little water, leaving a charred, oaky aftertaste.
Some might like to try enjoying Hibiki Harmony in the Japanese way, called mizuwari, i.e. ‘cut with water’ or highball, cut with soda. The latter is simply a variation on the ‘Scotch & soda’ so popular with our forebears, but with typical panache, the Japanese attach a ritual to making it:
“Add block ice to a highball glass. Stir with a bar spoon to chill the glass, then discard any melted water from the glass. Add 1 to 1.5oz whisky. Stir thirteen and one-half times clockwise. Add two to three times as much sparkling water as whisky. Stir three and one half times more clockwise.”
Predictions for 2026...
In 2026, what are our gin lovers looking for? More flavour experimentations? New Japanese distilleries? We're not just whisky experts here, so we've once agained gathered our top tier squad of industry experts to find you the most exciting gins to look for in 2026:
1. Hatozaki 12 Year Old Umeshu Cask Finish
Named after Japan's oldest lighthouse, which resides in Akashi harbour, this twelve-year-old Hatozaki hails from the Kaikyo Distillery. The expression is made up of small batch single malts that have all been aged for at least 5 or 6 years. The blended malt was then filled into American oak casks, where it slumbered for twelve years, including a 6-month finish in Umeshu casks - a sweet and sour Japanese liqueur made from ume plums.
The nose is gentle and welcoming. The palate brings iodine, apricot, honey, malt loaf, and pear before leading into the sweet and jammy finish of yellow plums.
2. Hakushu Distiller's Reserve
From Suntory's mountain distillery, nestled deep in the forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake, Hakushu is a herbal and gently smoky single malt. Straight from the untouched forests, mountains and pure waters of the Southern Japanese Alps, it is no wonder that Hakushu is a 'green and fresh' whisky. Its crisp and vibrant feel, unique in a single malt, enlivens and liberates your senses. The Distillers Reserve is light gold in colour and a refreshing whisky.
3. Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki.
Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries.
Yamazaki 12 is succulent, multi-layered with soft fruit and and the unique Mizunara (Japanese oak) aroma.
4. Fuji Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Distilled and matured at the foot of Mount Fuji, this single malt Japanese whisky from Fuji Gotemba distillery has been made with aquifer water containing fifty years of snowmelt. The expression is aged in a combination of American white oak, bourbon and beer casks, before being bottled at 46% abv.
On the nose, there are notes of pineapple, citrus and apple, alongside creme brulee, honey and Darjeeling tea. The palate shines with rich fruity flavours of fruit tart, ripe white peaches, pears and apricots, before a sweet, complex and long-lasting finish.
5. Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky
Hailing from Fuji Gotemba distillery, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, this Japanese single grain whisky has been aged for at least eight years in American white oak barrels. A blend of three different types of grain whisky, all made at the distillery, the whisky is bottled at 46% abv.
There are notes of poached pear, rustic fruit tart, Cognac and marron glace on the nose, which lead to a palate of orange marmalade, raspberry, rye spice and bitter chocolate. The finish is mellow and lengthy, with touches of exotic incense wood.
6. Nikka Days
A subtle blend of grain and malt whiskies, slightly peated. Creamy, fruity and smooth, Nikka Days whisky will please amateurs and connoisseurs alike with its floral and fruity notes. A whisky with a smooth and fruity profile, to enjoy neat or in a cocktail.
Expect notes of white flowers, orange blossoms and pear on the nose, leading to a complex palate of malt, toffee, nuts, vanilla and a hint of peat. The finish is fruity, malty and lingering, with a distinctive apricot note.
7. Fuji Blended Japanese Whisky
Hailing from the 50-year-old Fuji Gotemba distillery, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, Fuji Blended blended Japanese whisky is made up of 21% malt whisky, 12% heavy grain and 67% medium & light grain liquid, all matured within American white oak barrels. Bottled at 43% abv.
On the nose, peach, apricot and orange liqueur notes are at the fore, alongside hints of honey and oatmeal cookies. The palate brings flavours of pear, apple, apricot and white grapes, before a long silky finish of delicately sweet fruits.
8. Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve
Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki.
Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries. The Distiller's Reserve is mild with fresh fruit and Mizunara (Japanese oak) aroma.
9. Suntory Whisky Toki
Suntory Whisky Toki from the House of Suntory takes its name from the Japanese for 'time'. A blend of whisky from the acclaimed distilleries of Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita, Toki overturns the conventional hierarchy between malt and grain to create an innovative whisky that pays homage to Suntory's proud heritage.
The nose holds aromas of fresh basil, green apple and runny honey. The palate brings green grapes, juicy grapefruit, cool peppermint and thyme notes, followed by subtly sweet vanilla and spicy oak leading into the finish.
