Japanese whisky : the ultimate guide to the world's most desirable spirit, with tasting notes from Japan's leading whisky blogger

Japanese whisky has been around for less than a centurybut 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 only-in-Japan production methods. It also examines the close cultural connections between Japanese whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples. For the first time in English, this book presents over a hundred independently scored whisky 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. This Japanese whisky bible features their exclusive interviews with the people involved in the early beginnings of the Japanese whisky industry over seventy years ago. 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 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 special materials and methods used by the Japanese distillers including mizunara wood, Japanese barley and unique only-in-Japan production methods. It also examines the close cultural connections between Japanese whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples. For the first time in English, this book presents over a hundred independently scored whisky 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 with past and present whisky distillers, blenders and coopers. This Japanese whisky bible features their exclusive interviews with the people involved in the early beginnings of the Japanese whisky industry over seventy years ago. 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 fine Japanese whiskies they're drinking and buying. Kanpai!"-- Provided by publisher 'The comprehensive and visually stunning 144-page book charts the century-long history of Japanese whisky (and that's'whisky'without the'e'for reasons the book makes clear) as well as how it's produced and, more importantly, how it tastes. [...] Lavishly illustrated throughout with color photographs, the book's second half features detailed tasting notes on various tipples so novices or connoisseur will have hands-on information to work from when exploring the world of Japanese whisky. --JapanTrends.com'