How to distinguish between "authentic Japanese whisky" and "blended imported whisky"?

Haha, that's an excellent question! When I first started drinking Japanese whisky, like many others, I was completely confused by this issue and ended up wasting quite a bit of money. Actually, distinguishing between the two isn't that complicated. Let me break it down for you.

Think of it as the difference between a dish "prepared from scratch in a Japanese kitchen" and a dish "made from a pre-packaged meal kit bought from abroad, heated up in a Japanese kitchen, and served."

"True Japanese Whisky" is like that "dish prepared from scratch in a Japanese kitchen." From start to finish, meaning from the fermentation of malt and grain, to distillation into new make spirit, then aging in oak casks for at least 3 years, and finally bottling – all these core steps must be completed within Japan. Even the water must be Japanese. Examples include well-known brands like Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yoichi, and Miyagikyo, which have their own distilleries and genuinely produce their own spirits.

"Blended Imported Whisky" is like that "meal kit." Some Japanese liquor companies, lacking their own distilleries or sufficient production capacity, import already distilled, or even aged, whisky spirits (the "meal kit") from abroad (e.g., Scotland, Canada). They then blend and dilute it with water in Japan, and finally bottle it in Japan. Because the final step is completed in Japan, under previous, more ambiguous regulations, it could still be labeled and sold as "Japanese Whisky." Within the industry, this type of whisky is also known as "World Blend" or jokingly referred to as "fake Japanese whisky."

So, how can ordinary consumers tell the difference when buying? Remember these incredibly useful methods:

1. The Ultimate Trick: Look for the 'Gold Label'

The Japanese authorities also felt the old regulations were too confusing, so new rules were introduced in 2021 (fully effective from April 1, 2024). New products that meet the standards for "True Japanese Whisky" will feature a unified certification mark from the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) on the bottle.

What does this mark look like? You can search online for "JSLMA mark"; it's a golden emblem, somewhat resembling the silhouette of a sake bottle, with "日本ウイスキー" (Japanese Whisky) written on it.

If you see this mark, buy with confidence; it's definitely "True Japanese Whisky." It's like an "organic certification" for food – officially endorsed.

2. Check the Distillery Name

If you're buying from a renowned distillery, you generally can't go wrong. For example:

• Suntory brands: Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, Chita
• Nikka brands: Yoichi, Miyagikyo, Taketsuru

These are the "regular army" with their own distilleries, large and established, and won't jeopardize their reputation.

Conversely, if you see a brand you've never heard of, and can't find any information about its distillery online, then be wary; it's likely a "meal kit" player.

3. Carefully Read the Fine Print on the Label

This is an advanced but very effective technique. Turn the bottle around and look at the dense small print.

• If you see the words "ワールドブレンデッドウイスキー" (World Blended Whisky), it's openly telling you: "I used imported spirits for blending." In such cases, just pass on it.
• If the ingredients list says "Malt, Grain" (モルト、グレーン), but is vague about the origin, or even states "輸入ウイスキー" (Imported Whisky), then it's also likely a "meal kit."
• "True Japanese Whisky," on the other hand, will usually proudly state "Single Malt" or clearly indicate that it's a blend of spirits from its own distillery.

4. Use Price as a Reference

"True Japanese Whisky" is typically not cheap due to high costs for raw materials, labor, and aging time, coupled with limited production. If you see a 700ml bottle of so-called "Japanese Whisky" selling for only one or two hundred yuan, it's almost certainly a "meal kit." Of course, price isn't absolute; some unscrupulous sellers might price "meal kits" high, but an absurdly low price is definitely a red flag.

To summarize, here are the key takeaways:

• Easiest way: Look for the golden "JSLMA certification mark" on the bottle.
• Safest bet: Buy core products from the two major giants, Suntory and Nikka.
• For the adventurous: Carefully read the small print on the back label; if you see "World Blend" or vague descriptions, steer clear.
• As a supplementary guide: Don't be tempted by low prices; be wary of anything too cheap.

I hope this helps you! Don't worry, after looking and comparing a few times, you'll quickly develop a sharp eye for it.