For relaxing times, make it Suntory time
$49.99 @ Dan Murphy's
$50.00 @ First Choice
Suntory Kakubin Blended Japanese Whisky 700ml $40 @ Liquorland
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After watching that, I need a drink.
beat me to the comment
Thank OP. Ordered a bottle from Dans to try
This is entry level Japanese whisky, it's whats served to you on the cheap when you're over there. If you want some better stuff i would recommend Hakushu or Yamazaki
True, but those aren't cheap here - currently around 3 or 4 times this price. I drink those (neat or with a little water) in Japan & never bothered with this cheapie.
At effectively $35 (after FlyBuys points with code) it's worth a try - to mix as suggested by others. That's a pretty entry level price here for Whiskey / Whisky (eg Black Douglas, Teachers, Bells, etc). Best to compare like with like.
But if you can find Yamazake at this price, I want to buy!!
Yeah you are right, when i came back just recently i bought 4 bottles back of good stuff and it cost me around 100 bucks all up. This damn alcohol tax lol.
Worth a cheap flight just to avoid the steep taxes on alcohol here 🛫
And visit the distilleries. (Still on my to do list.)@Infidel: So i know the laws about duty free and the laws about importing alcohol are different. What's actually stopping someone from buying a $3000 dollar bottle over there, bringing it back in a suitcase and selling it for $10,000 over here…?
New business venture?
SPECIAL SPECIAL BOY
If you're gonna buy whiskey in Australia, the best value is an entry level single malt. This is the JW Red of Japanese whiskeys. That said, I just bought 4L back in a big plastic tub.
Having just knocked off a bottle (not in one sitting) this is a lovely whisky, reminiscent of J&B but with more body. Worth it at the right price.
From reviews:
Kakubin Yellow Label is Suntory's flagship blended whisky. Produced since 1937, its name means 'square bottle'.A blend of bourbon-cask whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, this is a classic example of lighter Japanese whisky and is great in a highball with soda.
A classic blended whisky from Suntory - the core ingredients in countless cocktails over the many, many years its been produced by the legendary Japanese producers.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Nose: Big scoops of fresh cereals and honeycomb ice cream. Light spiciness to it.Palate: More honey, now with the addition of citrus peels, peppercorn and cinnamon.
Finish: More honey'd barley.
From DM customers:
Exceptional first taste evokes Orange with a very slight caramel taste. None of your Scottish peat or fire. Comparable to the best Irish Whiskies and good single malts. The Japanese have surprised me with their distillery skills.
Light and smooth, easy to drink for a blended whisky.
This whisky is easy on the pallette with its light, fruity flavours. Easy to enjoy and flavours that won’t fight with you.
Just pour a little, neat, and stick your nose in and take a big whiff - Wow. Such a beautiful aroma.
It is surprisingly good - a smooth, medium length finish with no burn or harsh grain notes as is sometimes found in entry level whisky. Custard and rice pudding flavours are present, almost brandy like, but are not cloying. While usually used in Japanese highballs, this whisky is eminently enjoyable neat as an everyday dram.
A refreshing light whisky that still gives the taste buds what they desire. Perfect with soda and lemon which the Japanese call a 'Highball'.
Japanese Whisky is fantastic and this little gem is perfect for people who want a quality japanese whisky at an affordable price. A+++
From tasting review:
(it's a relatively cheap blend not a sipping whiskey, so will not compare well with much more expensive good single malts in reviews)
http://www.bestshotwhiskyreviews.com/2015/09/suntory-kakubin…Nose: The Alcohol is quite present so please give the Kakubin enough time in the glass to open up. The Kakubin is immediately recognisable as a Japanese whisky as the Aroma is quite distinctive. I'm nosing on the edge of the glass as the Alcohol remains strong. I find Floral and Fruity tones, young Grain Alcohol, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Plums, Sweet Candies, young Bourbon, Nuts, Cinnamon, Vanilla, light Honey, light Coconut Water and a little Citrus. It's nothing special but better than your average cheap Scottish Blend. I would rate it even higher if not for the sharp Alcohol that spoils a bit of the fun.
Taste: Watery, Sugary Sweet, Edgy and slightly Bitter with Grain Alcohol, Oak, Cereals, light Vanilla, light Honey, Grapefruit, light Pepper and light Ginger. What a disappointment after the reasonable Nose.
Finish: Short, Sugary Sweet and Watery with light Honey, Grapefruit, Nuts, Nut Shells, Grains, light Vanilla, Oak, light Pepper and Ginger.
Added Water completely kills this Blend. It does not even taste like Whisky anymore.
Rating: 73
Nose: 20 – Taste: 17.5 - Finish: 17 – Overall: 18.5
Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average
Drinking Experience on the Rocks: OkayConclusion: Most Japanese use the Kakubin Yellow Label as a cheap ingredient for their cocktails, especially the Highball. That's the only reason why it's the best selling Whisky in Japan.
Because it does not have sufficient Aromas and Flavours to qualify as a sipping Whisky. The Nose is not bad although the strong Alcohol spoils a bit of the fun. On the Palate and in the Short Finish however, the Kakubin is Watery, Sugary Sweet, Edgy and totally unsatisfactory.Tried neat - taste is not for me. Won't buy again.
It's probably a good mixer…As the reviewer in the link above ended "I'm now calculating how many Highballs I need to drink before this bottle goes to the graveyard. I hope I like Highballs!"
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Thanks. Any better recommendations around this price point?