Retro? Legendary? Either way, blended whisky is delicious.

(Japanese Blended Whisky Tasting)

Single malt whiskies are in high demand these days.
While it's certainly interesting to enjoy the unique characteristics of each distillery,
I suddenly noticed these beloved Japanese blended whiskies that have stood the test of time.

Furthermore, these whiskies were born decades before the advent of Japanese single malts.

Our store carries many whiskies that have been on our shelves since our founding.

What perspective is needed to convey the flavor, story, and enjoyment of such whiskies to customers?

The keyword we arrived at is "Mizuwari" (whisky and water).

For grandfathers and fathers, it's nostalgic...
For young people, it's new and cool...
That's probably how they feel.

Riding on the trend of "Showa Retro,"
we planned this project!

And... actually, many of our staff had never tried them before.

So, we had no choice but to go for it! ( *´艸｀)

The title is!!
Retro? Legend? Blended whisky is still delicious.

[How to compare]
・Comparison made with whisky 1: water 3 Mizuwari
・Mizuwari preparation method referenced Suntory's website
・After Mizuwari tasting, find your preferred and suitable drinking method for each whisky

The 10 whiskies compared are listed below.

※ Rankings were not made due to differing liquor grades.

Oh!
To make it easier to visualize, I created a product release timeline!

Now!
Here are the results of the tasting for each item.

A quick explanation of how to read the images
・Individual comments are compiled with photos.
・The flavor chart on the bottom left is unique to Sumidaya.
　Focusing on "sweetness, fruitiness, maltiness, smokiness, complexity, and finish,"
　we charted the differences among these 10 items.
　Note that the flavor chart represents subjective impressions and is not based on absolute numerical values.

Suntory Whisky Royal

This one received high praise in our tasting!
Perfect for relaxing with a Mizuwari after a meal.
There were also opinions that "a slightly stronger mix" was delicious.

Suntory Whisky Reserve

Reserve, with Hakushu White Oak cask whisky as its key malt.
Many comments naturally associated it with that.
"Mizuwari is good, but soda is better!" was a common sentiment!

Suntory Whisky Old

It's not an exaggeration to say it's "whisky made for Japanese cuisine"?!
Old is still best as a Mizuwari!
When enjoying with a meal, make it a bit lighter.
When savoring the whisky's flavor, make it a bit stronger...

Incidentally...
Though it depends on the season... hot water is delicious too!!!

Suntory Whisky White

Mizuwari is delicious, but...
White is definitely best with soda!
This was already proven in our highball tasting report a few years ago (^^)

Suntory Whisky Red

Red, perfect as an everyday drink!
Perhaps because its alcohol content is the lowest (39 degrees) among those tested this time,
many said that straight or on the rocks was easier to appreciate!

Nikka Whisky Black Nikka Special

Analog, classical, country music, nostalgia.
Many comments linked it to "retro."
To enjoy its distinct smoky and rich characteristics,
a strong Mizuwari, on the rocks, or half-rock is best!

Nikka Whisky Black Nikka Deep Blend

Many people describe it as "rich" and "punchy."
One reason for this is that it has the highest alcohol content (45%) among those tasted this time.
This whiskey, with its leisurely, deep, and mature image, is best enjoyed
on the rocks or with a strong mizuwari (water mix). (^^)

Nikka Whisky Black Nikka Rich Blend

Various fruits were mentioned in the comments!
"Rich Blend," as its name suggests, offers smoothness, richness, and sweetness,
best enjoyed on the rocks or with a strong mizuwari.

Nikka Whisky Super Nikka

Perhaps it's also due to the 43% alcohol content?
Many commented, "Super Nikka has a good length!" and "The taste and aroma don't fade!"
It pairs wonderfully with meals when mixed with water,✨
and highballs are delicious too!(^^)

Nikka Whisky Hi Nikka

With its light taste, many recommended it as "perfect for mizuwari."
Similar to Suntory Red, its lower alcohol content (39%) means
it can also be enjoyed straight or on the rocks!

【Summary】

Around 25 members participated in this tasting,
and I asked them to fill out an evaluation form...

I was a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of comments (^^)💦

Among them, what I personally experienced and found most agreeable was that
・For meals, a lighter mix (1:3, or even a bit lighter)
・For enjoying the drink itself, a stronger mix is better.
I found this to be true for all whiskies and all drinking styles.

Also, amidst the storm of comments, I noticed
the "diversity of drinking styles." 

When Suntory White was first released, it didn't quite suit Japanese palates.
Later, even with the post-war boom, factors like liquor tax likely limited
its sales volume and the expansion of its quality and variations.

However, now, whisky lovers of all ages and genders are increasing,
and many are incorporating information about terroir and production methods,
understanding the essence of whisky, and enjoying it more deeply.
This is what we observe while working in stores.

That's why, even for mizuwari,
some prefer it light, others strong.
Half rock and twice up are also good.
Of course, straight, on the rocks, and highball.
I believe this is why so many comments came out.

Especially for blended whiskies, which are appealing for their complex harmony,
different drinking styles bring out various facets and depths.

Just like red, white, or sparkling wine,
the era has come where we choose and pair whisky and its drinking style
according to the meal and situation, without being confined by its "class."

Retro is "old-cool."
No, it's already a legend.

June 12, 2022