Japan’s foray into commercial whisky distillation began in 1923 when Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii founded the Yamazaki Distillery on the edges of Kyoto prefecture, in a region referred to in the past as “Minaseno”. Compared to the western world, Japan is a late bloomer with its history only going back to the early 20th century. In comparison, the Scotch whisky giant Chivas Regal traces its heritage back to the 18th century with the founding of the Strathisla distillery. However, despite its short history, Japanese whiskies have gained international recognition and popularity in recent years. In 2001 Nikka won “Best of the Best” at Whisky Magazine’s Awards with its 10-year Yoichi Single malt, planting the spotlight firmly on Japanese whisky. Understandably, it prompts the question, what exactly differentiates Japanese whisky from those of the western world?

Whisky or whiskey?
Before getting into the down and dirty, it would be appropriate to clarify that even in the western world, there exist many distinctions between each country’s whisk(e)y. Whisky, in the old days, was spelt without the “e” in both Scotland and Ireland. However, in the late 1800s, four of the biggest distillers in Ireland pushed for the addition of the vowel as a marketing differentiator. The later use of the letter “e” by subsequent distillers in the non-Gaelic countries depended on their connection to either Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y. Japanese distilleries largely follow the same techniques as the Scottish and so exclude the vowel. Whereas the Americans favoured the Irish product and sought association with it by spelling it whiskey.

Since the Japanese took inspiration from the Scots, that seems to be the logical point of comparison. But first, here is a brief rundown of some of the major products of the West.

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Scotch
Scotland’s cold windy climate has forced its distilleries to adopt unique traditions, contributing to the distinct taste of scotch. The harsh winds of Scotland mean that oak trees, traditionally used to produce whisky barrels are rare. Therefore, Scottish distillers adopted the practice of reusing barrels from the US and other parts of Europe to age their whisky. The lack of wood as a fuel source also led to the use of peat to dry out barley grains. This results in a unique flavour profile that is lighter than American whiskey but with that distinctive smoky flavour. This is nicely embodied by Chivas Regal’s 18 Gold Signature Blended Scotch and the Glenfiddich 18 Year Old. Both whiskies open with aromatic notes of dried fruits which then finish with a distinct smokiness that is unique to scotch.

Irish Whiskey

The Irish whiskey tradition is similar to that of Scotch, with some subtle differences. The Irish typically use unmalted barley in their mash bills while the Scots favour malted barley, and they utilise closed kilns compared to the Scottish tradition of drying barley over burning peat. This results in a subtler, smoother taste, that is generally light and fruity with notes of the various grains used. A great Irish Whiskey to try is Bushmills’ flagship 10 year Single Malt.

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American bourbon and rye

Bourbon uses predominantly corn while Rye uses mostly rye. Given the abundance of American oak, distillers in the US do not typically adopt the practice of reusing old barrels for ageing, resulting in a bolder flavour profile much like the American spirit. Bourbons have a delicious sweetness and full body provided by the corn while rye lends an earthy spiciness. Knob Creek’s Patiently Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the core product of the small batch brand embodies all things great about bourbon while FEW Rye Whiskey brings the heat of American rye.

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Japanese whisky and its connection to nature

While Japanese whisky may not have a history going back centuries, to say that the Japanese do not have a booze-soaked heritage would be folly. After all, they were the ones who introduced the world to the beauty of sake and shochu. A crucial component in Japanese whisky production is the purity of the water used which explains Torii’s choice to settle in that region of Japan. Additionally, many of Japan’s distilleries are built at higher altitudes resulting in lower pressure, in turn resulting in lower boiling points when distilling. This helps to retain aroma and flavour, for a smoother drinking experience. Finally, while following Scottish traditions, Japanese whiskies tend to be less peated, as Japanese generally prefer lighter flavours. The result is a unique light and fruity taste. The Hibiki’s 17 Year Old, Suntory’s main venture into blended whisky is a delightful whisky with notes of citrus peels and raisin and a tinge of gentle smoke, a nod to the Scottish traditions upon which Japan built its practices. 

With its distinctive profile owing to the marriage of Japan’s connection to nature and Scottish tradition, it is little wonder that the Japanese are taking the world of whisky by storm.

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Earlier in March this year, Kpop sensation Lisa of Blackpink was appointed as Chivas’ first female brand ambassador and together they launched a campaign “I Rise, We Rise”. This month, the Speyside whisky maker has unveiled a limited edition design of its iconic Chivas 18 in collaboration with the superstar.

Called the “Chivas 18 x LISA Limited Edition Drop”, the newly designed bottle features the classic blue colour label combined with hot pink and comes with a pair of 18K gold-plated charms: the Chivas Luckenbooth and Lisa’s iconic star. Finishing this exclusive bottle collection is the celebrity’s signature in a striking neon font that can also be found on the outer box.

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The collaboration was perhaps written in the stars as the debut year of Chivas 18 shares the same birth year as Lisa — 1997. This makes “it the perfect bottle to showcase her creativity and allow her personality to shine through,” said the brand in a press release.

In celebration of this release, a tailored cocktail recipe has been developed by Chivas called “Pink Spice”. This special drink is inspired by Lisa’s Asian heritage alongside the Chivas 18’s layered blend of malt and grain whiskies from distilleries all over Scotland. The special concoction brings to mind notes of tea, citrus and spice — a refreshing drink to take some heat off.

Sharing more about her experience working with Chivas on this limited edition bottle, Lisa said: “I had so much fun working with the team at Chivas on this limited edition bottle. The bottle is typical LISA — bright, bold, and unique — and I’m so excited for everyone to finally see it. It is amazing to now have my own bottle — and cocktail too!”

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“As we continue to elevate Chivas for a new generation, it is important that we collaborate with people who represent this new generation of whisky drinkers. Our partnership with LISA resonates with people across several passion points — whether that’s fashion or music — and brings a convention-breaking, contemporary cool to the world of Scotch whisky. It was a natural next step in our collaboration with LISA to add her flair to one of our most prestigious blends, bringing to life the bold attitude that both Chivas and LISA share. With this limited edition launch, we are offering fans a taste of the creativity and innovation behind the partnership, and we look forward to seeing how people react to it,” Chivas Global Marketing Director, Nick Blacknell said.

In addition to this launch, fans are invited to join the “Regal Planet” virtual event on 27 November 2022 at 9.30pm via Chivas’ official social media channel, where Lisa will be making a special appearance to share more about the exclusive collaboration.

The Chivas 18 x LISA Limited Edition Drop is available here. Visit Chivas.com for more information.

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First announced in July 2021, the global partnership between The Macallan and Bentley Motors will see both historic brands develop products that are an amalgamation of their combined heritage. Focusing on the shared values of innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity, a prototype of this collaboration has been revealed and it is the Macallan Horizon.

The limited edition whisky sports a unique design with no standing base, which is a nod to the horizontal trajectory of the automotive world. Furthermore, the case features a 180-degree twist and represents the “mastery of space and time achieved by The Macallan and Bentley Motors”, as mentioned in the press release. 

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Besides its distinct outlook, the Macallan Horizon is also a homage to the distillery’s Six Pillars. These are the foundation stones of the brand that account for its exceptionality. The newly unveiled prototype is crafted from “six unique upcycled, repurposed or ethically sourced materials” and is integral to both brands.

Among the materials include recycled copper from the disused curiously small spirit stills that were part of The Macallan’s former distillery; aluminium recovered from the British marque’s manufacturing process; recycled wood; recyclable glass and locally sourced carbon neutral leather, also used in the Bentley Mulliner grand tourer that was released earlier.

Lastly, the Macallan Horizon is not complete without its whisky content. For this special collaboration, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell created a flavour profile reminiscent of her visit to Bentley Motors in Crewe. It was at the marque’s home ground that she got a glimpse of the shared passion for creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.

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Speaking about the Macallan Horizon, Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan, comments: “Our collaboration with Bentley Motors and the knowledge exchange we have undertaken as a result has inspired us to see things very differently. In the spirits world, everything is upright, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal direction pursued by Bentley Motors as part of the automotive industry, it made us consider if and how we could adapt this format for whisky, which ultimately requires to be poured.”

Chris Cooke, Bentley’s Product and Lifestyle Design Manager, further adds: “Our prototype for The Macallan Horizon is truly pioneering in both its design and use of materials. It’s a fusion of the sharply defined yet curvaceous Bentley design DNA, The Macallan’s innovation and recycled materials from both iconic British brands. The form of the design has allowed us to almost treat light as another material in itself, and the interplay between light and the wood, aluminium and copper materials is extraordinary. In being both an object of beauty in itself and demonstrating such innovation, it’s a representation of what’s coming next from our partnership.”

Information regarding pricing and availability of The Macallan Horizon single malt whisky will be shared closer to its release on themacallan.com and bentleymotors.com.

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