Japanese whiskey has risen in popularity during the last decade or so and many are still wondering how to serve it. Plenty of Japanese whiskeys are low on stock due to this growth so if you do find one, you should treat it properly.
This is particularly important for a rare Japanese whiskey like a Nikka Yoichi or a Suntory Yamazaki single malt, some of which are dated for 18 years. If you are to serve Japanese whiskey, decide whether to chill it, and how to chill it first.
In this guide, we will ask; should you chill Japanese whiskey? We will also look at how to use ice, the various ways of enjoying Japanese whiskey, and why you should choose a highball glass.
Should You Chill Japanese Whiskey?
Cold temperatures tend to dull the flavors of whiskey so you would be advised not to chill it.
Keep your bottle of Japanese whiskey at room temperature as it should be served between 15 and 18°C (60 to 65°F). Store it in a cupboard as it should be kept away from direct sunlight.
Japanese whiskey can be quite expensive so it is crucial that is treated properly and with respect. The supply of Japanese whiskey is limited due to its popularity so the demand is exceptionally high.
Storing it should be a high priority as it uses double distilling techniques before being aged in prepared wooden barrels. To look after the cork, keep the bottle of Japanese whiskey in an upright position.
Make sure you do not undo many years of precise production by storing it haphazardly. A lot of Japanese whiskies are amongst the best in the world so it would be an abject shame to ruin all that.
It may even be worth investing in a cellar to have some control over the temperature and humidity that your Japanese whiskey is stored at.
That’s because changes in temperature can damage the whiskey and if it expands it can damage the cork while the humidity can damage the bottle’s labels.
Be Careful With The Ice
The Japanese treat their whiskey carefully so if ice is to be added to your glass, it should be carefully prepared. Bartenders can take hours to carve ice blocks into various shapes like spheres, squares, and oblong rectangles.
The water should be distilled first and, once carved, should dilute slowly. This forms part of the enjoyment of drinking whiskey as the ice becomes a part of the drink and changes its complexion.
The Various Ways Of Enjoying Japanese Whiskey
There are several ways to drink whiskey and in Japan that typically means neat, on the rocks, half rocks, or with water.
Neat
If you enjoy your Japanese whiskey as it is, drink it neat, relish the aroma, and gently sip it. You may want a palate cleanser, choose some chilled mineral water to go along with it so the flavors hit you with every sip.
Drinking any whiskey neat tends to be the best way to enjoy and experience its complex flavor profile. If you do decide to drink it neat, serve it in a lowball glass at room temperature though you can chill the glass beforehand.
On The Rocks
If the glass is not chilled, add plenty of ice and water to chill it and then empty the contents. Use solid cubes of ice that fail to melt easily and then pour in your whiskey before gently stirring it.
Half Rocks
Half rocks is a serving that falls in between on the rocks and with water. Place a single ice cube into a glass, pour in a specific amount of whiskey, gently stir it, and add the same specific amount of mineral water.
With Water
For whiskey with water, add a single part of Japanese whiskey with two and a half parts of mineral water. The water should enhance the whiskey’s flavor and it can be a pleasant accompaniment to a stylish meal.
You will still need a chilled glass to chill the whiskey before adding ice and the mineral water.
Choose A Highball
One way to enjoy chilled Japanese whiskey is to create a highball, a traditional Japanese one too. That may look like whiskey and soda water on ice but highballs are meticulously developed by Japanese bartenders.
Some bartenders take over a decade to perfect their highball and to get the measurements just right. That could include a drop of a certain whiskey, alongside one part of another, and three parts of water in a chilled glass.
The glass itself also plays a role in how Japanese whiskey is enjoyed. That’s why a lowball glass, also known as a tumbler or a rocks glass, is commonly used.
The wide base of the glass means it is perfect for muddling or mixing ingredients though can also be used for cocktails like an old-fashioned.
A highball glass can still be used for drinking whiskey yet it may come mixed such as a whiskey and soda. That’s because the glass should be bigger and have more room for mixers and ice to keep your whiskey cold.
For chilled whiskey cocktails, you could serve them with some flair in a coupe glass or a martini glass.
Final Thoughts
There is no strict guidance on whether you should chill Japanese whiskey or whether to use ice.
Some bartenders even swear by leaving bottles of whiskey in the sea to be gently agitated by the waves over a period of months. Feel free to experiment with it though try not to go to extremes.
If you want to add an ice cube, do so, but try one which is frozen from distilled water. If you want to add a few drops of chilled water then do that too but try not to add too much as you may dispel the taste of the whiskey.
You may even want to buy two bottles of Japanese whiskey. One to enjoy in the present and now while the other remains in proper storage to be used later in life or kept as an investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Accompaniments Go With Japanese Whiskey?
Your choice of Japanese whiskey and how you serve it are important factors for your enjoyment of the drink. However, Japanese whiskey is specifically enjoyed with a lot of Japanese food.
The range can be quite diverse so try to find a whiskey that adds to the meal and complements both flavor profiles. For instance, a steak is a hearty meal which should go well with a smoky whiskey while seafood goes well with sweeter whiskey.
What Is The Best Way To Store Japanese Whiskey?
The most ideal way to store Japanese whiskey is to keep it in the dark and consistently cool. Not cold but at a constant cool temperature and humidity.
Store the bottles upright and look after the state of the cork. While freezing a spirit like Japanese whiskey will not harm it, it may dull the flavor profile so serve it at room temperature.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
