Suntory CHITA Single Grain Japanese Whisky REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Chita Single Grain Whisky is a no age statement bottle from Suntory, that sits alongside the Yamazaki and Hakushu entry-level expressions. How does it stack up to the ruthless Kanpai Planet Tokyo Taste Test standards?
This is much more than your standard Chita Whisky review - it's a fascinating deep dive into the origins and history of the Chita Distillery.
As per the usual, expect lots of historic tidbits and other edutainment in true Kanpai Planet fashion. It's a whisky review like no other!
Click here for our review of Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2021: • Hibiki Blossom Harmony...
Click here for our review of Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021: • Yamazaki Limited Editi...
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#JapaneseWhisky #Chita #Suntory
love how enjoyable every single video you make is! Keep up the good work. An enjoyable and very approachable whisky as you say, and one Japanese whisky that won’t make you break the bank
Thank you, and thanks for watching! While enjoying some Chita, please share this video with your Chita-loving friends.
I ordered one for $84 NZD. Can't wait! Honestly I love Yamazaki and Hibiki but too expensive to drink them regularly. Only special days. Now this however the price point is good!
Enjoy!
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Kanpai 🥃🥃🥃
Currently binging my way through all your videos. It’s really wonderful to have a channel focused on Japanese spirits. Love the detail and length. You hit all the important points of whisky. Not too long, not to short. Please keep it up!
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Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Excellent video amazing keep bringing more sir ❤❤
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Excellent video. Very informative, well paced and the editing is again top notch. Thank you Mac, you are literally opening the door to Japanese whisky for me.
Wow! That means a lot. Thank you. Please help open the door for others and share this video far and wide. I would really appreciate it!
Great video again, I didn’t know about the story about the joint project with JA. I was so impressed to watch their factory-like distillery that looks completely different from YAMAZAKI’s . I think we can easily find this whiskey at convenience store,if my memory is right. I will definitely get one and try it with this amazing video.KANPAI
Easily available in many convenice stores. The 700ml represents the best value, but they sometimes have the smaller size. Grab one, enjoy and Kanpai!
My favorite Japanese whisky!
Dangerously easy to drink for me.
Very interesting that you pointed out the grape notes; I also a notice distinct, crisp, green grape note just before the aftertaste kicks in, then it's washed away by that delicious buttered corn note that I keep coming back for. Childhood memories of buttered corn snacks right there!
Didn't know Takeru Satoh was its model too!
Loved him in Kamen Rider Den-O and the Rurouni Kenshin films!
Cheers!
Glad to hear it! That grape note is pretty unique and is one of the reasons I like Chita!
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Good to know!
Been looking to add this to our bar next to the Yamazaki and the Hibiki. Thanks for the review.
Really glad to hear it was helpful TJ. Send me a photo once it's in the bar! Thanks for watching!
Great Video, wish I viewed it before my $112.00 purchase from Dan Murphys
Sorry to hear that! Hope you enjoy it!
Nice review. Have to put it on my list for review. Cheers
Great! Let me know when you get round to it. Kanpai!
Really good, in depth review. I really like the Chita. Great value grain
Thanks Vin. It's a great, underrated dram, and if you can pick it up at a good price overseas then its a must buy!
Great for Yakitori
It certainly is!
Great video & review of my FAVOURITE whiskey! Such a great drink! Would love to visit the distillery! Chita for the win! 🥃
Really glad to hear you love it so much. Please share the review with all your friends. Kanpai!
Great honest review! Thank you Mac :-)
My pleasure! Thakns for watching. Please share the review with all your friends, and persuade them to subscribe! Kanpai!
After watching several of your videos for the past hour I realize the only thing I know about Japanese whiskies is they're expensive (at least where I'm from).😂 Your videos are very informative. Keep 'em coming!
Not the cheapest hobby in the world for sure! If folks like you keep watching, I'll keep these videos coming!
Good honest review and I like how you bring the fact that Japanese whisky is way overpriced in England now, over here Chita is a cheap young whisky priced as a premium product, for the same money some 18 year old malts are available which sadly makes this an "Elevenerife" purchase for hipsters.
Thank you for watching and commenting Stephen. It makes me sad that I basically have to end almost every review with "This is worth Japanese RRP, beyond that..." It's even more tragic because here in Tokyo we get great prices on Scotch, while you guys have to pay 2x plus to some your hands on some entry-level whiskies!
Please share this review far and wide, and check out some of the other videos on this channel! 🙏
Love the nose and the lingery finish..but esp the nose.working my way through the catalog.
Yamazaki 12 is still my personal favorite so far
Then the Harmony
Then the Toki.
Saving relentlessly for the Yamazaki18...
Thank you for the reviews! Because of your enthusiasm and honest assesment my curiousity stays lively about Suntory products so far..someday maybe a Nikka will be had.
Cheers!
Great to hear it! Don't overspend on that Yamazaki 18 though! 🤓🥃
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Kanpai!
great vid! i got this bottle for 45eu in NL (on sale!) and i really enjoyed it.
Nice work! Enjoy, and Kanpai!
This was the whisky that got me into whisky.
That's pretty high praise! Great story, and happy to hear it.
Drinking a 100 ml bottle now that I bought from the Convini. I like it!
Glad to hear it Michael! Thanks for watching and commenting, and Kanpai!
Excellent information - what type or kind of glasses from Japan Do you recommend?
Here are some Japan glass ideas:
- Edo Kiriko is beautiful. Traditional Old Tokyo glassware
- If you get a chance to visit the Fuji-Gotemba Distillery, their glasses with Mt. Fuji in the base are very affordable.
- Not whisky, but I highly recommend the Reidel Junmai glass if you are a sake drinker.
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Great video again, Mac, very documented, as I like them to be 👍 , and I learned a few things there I have to say (especially history of the distillery wise), but it also brought up some questions & I'll be happy if you know the answers : Did I heard well, 5,5 Millions of liter capacity ? It seems very little, I was expecting way more, so rather 50 for their unique grain distillery & amounts of LPA to use ? Weird... Also you mentioned they use malt in their mix, did you meant malted barley or just unmalted barley ? (as only, in Western countries ok, they can use the mention of "single grain" for the use of unmalted barley, if not, this is a blended whisky), thanks in advance for the answers...On the acetone note, sure I can't be 100 % positive, but I'll add to your comment that maybe they used a significant portion of first fill Bourbon barrels in the blend recipe maybe...? That said, often Scottish single grains, for instance, do usually have a solventy note, quite pronounced sometimes, even with age...Also kudos for mentioning SMWS bottlings, they did back in the days some terrific releases of Japanese single malts & I have the chance to have 2 bottles of them....Chita is one of my very favorite single grains & Japanese whiskies I have to say, still a good value for me at 60/63 € here (though sure a bit expensive) because of its high degree of sophistication & complexity...Now that said, I'll "die" to try a cask strength version of this one...😍
Hi Greg. Thanks always for watching and commenting. To answer your questions:
1. That is correct. The entire Japanese whisky industry is about the size of two of the bigger Glen- Scottish Distilleries. The domestic whisky market is about 30% the size of where it was at its 1983 peak. In 1985 they started making neutral spirits at Chita which are used in Chuhai.
2. They use a small amount of Malted Barley. As it is Japan, and it is made in a column still and the amount is small, then we call it a Single Grain whisky.
3. Agreed on the notes. Indeed, the predominant barrel for Chita is American Oak. For Chita, that note is not pronounced which is nice!
4. I've had a few comments about people trying to hunt down G13. I hope I don't drive the price up.
@@KanpaiPlanet Thanks Mac, it makes sense....Ok yeah you're right, I forgot in my comment the "Japanese trick" of sometimes using column stills to produce malted barley (hence the Coffey Malt from Nikka)! Excellent ! I haven't had the chance to try any SMWS grain whisky yet, but sometime ago cask strength limited releases of Nikka Coffey Grain which were often outstanding, Kanpaï !
This is a great review. Why? I see The Chita all over the place and thumb my nose at it. But now I understand it better, gave it a try and enjoyed. The detail in the review is really helpful, including the provenance, and position within the Suntory world. So my take is that its the high end product coming from the low end distillery, located in the industry-scape of Nagoya. The distillery is really an alcohol factory, mass producing alcohol in column stills for the universe of Suntory products (and others) that are not craft, for example canned chu-hai and the convenient 2L jugs of shochu and "whisky" on the bottom shelves of conbinis and Aeon. The Chita is the same wholesale alcohol but aged in casks and put in a kanji bottle that mimics Yamazaki and other high end brands. The product is easily drinkable, has a wide distribution strategy, and comes in varied sizes. So it's the entry whisky for younger consumers, those on a budget who can't swallow the swill on the bottom shelf or need a decent mixer. Super helpful review. I think many reviewers would skip this whisky for something more sexy. I even purchased a 180 ml bottle at my local 7-11! Thanks and well done!
Thanks John! This comments means a lot. It's like you've taken a peak behind the curtain and understood exactly what's what when it comes to Chita! The only comment I would make is that Chita is not the same wholesale alcohol as all of the other drinks. I suspect there is a lot of lower grade juice that Suntory are distilling (or redistilling) which is in the truly bottom shelf 37% stuff.
Have you managed to watch my Nikka Whisky From The Barrel review yet?
@@KanpaiPlanet Good things come in small packages. Yes, another great review. Embarrassingly, I confess I was never was cognizant of From The Barrel but after viewing the review feverishly searching for a bottle. But, compared to The Chita, distribution is terrible. I tried Seijo Ishii, Hasegawa, Liquor Mountain and a couple other shops. So far no joy. The Chita is available in my local 7-11. I see these products as a completely different strategy. My amatuer view is From The Barrel is more aligned with Ao than The Chita. I don't mind that The Chita comes from a factory. Just want disclosure, as you always emphasize. Cheers!
Nikka Session is there to compete against Ao methinks - I put both those head-to-head in a video on Kanpai Planet.
FTB really is a unique product, even almost four decades on from its inception.
In my experience, FTB is easier to find in supermarkets than in liquor stores. Keep the faith and hopefully you'll find one soon!
I think you would enjoy the extended version of the FTB review available to supporters at buymeacoffee.com/kanpaiplanet!
@@KanpaiPlanet I picked up a 180 ml bottle of Session and like it a lot better than Ao. I like Ao too, mostly because its available for free in domestic ANA lounges!!
'Free' usually adds a few points for sure!
I tried this in Japan and it was so cheap and delicious lol, lot of bars have it there. Too bad i havent seen a bottle before in the USA
It is cheap, good and there is plenty around here! Hope you can find a bottle soon! 🥃🥃🥃
What a brilliant video - otsukare
Thank you for watching!
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Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
First one to hit LIKE!
Thank you very much for watching and liking so quickly!
I've got the NAS Hakushu and Yamazaki, I think I'll have to pick this up to round out the trio and get some more contrast! (provided I don't have to break the bank)
Would love to get your thoughts on the AO whisky, as I'm still trying to source a bottle without having to go to the airport!! 😆
Re: Ao... I've got you covered! Click here: ua-cam.com/video/q9BMHmyfHuA/v-deo.html
@@KanpaiPlanet brilliant. Kanpai!
Fantastic Mac! I always wondered what was in the Chita. You gave me all the answers but what grain they use. Only corn for this or do they put some rye and or whete in it as well. The Chita is nice, but not as good as Fuji Sanroku and Fuji Single grain
We are as always victims of the lack of disclosure from these guys - it's a constant battle to make these videos! ;-)
I would suspect that, given that it's a blend of 10 whiskies, that Fukuyo-san will have at least one wheat and one eye in there on a mainly corn base.
Hello and thank you for your reply. Yes, I can understand that it has to be very hard. No transparency and what you can find is all in Japanese and probably the sources are not disclosed. Impressive how much you got out. Now, I hope you do something similar with Nikka and Taketsuru, Tsuru, Nikka Gold, Pure malts, Coffey Grain etc. From where do Nikka get their grains? Miyagikyo column still only?
Thanks always Martin.
I put the Old vs New Taketsuru NAS head-to-head here: ua-cam.com/video/NNQyqtfBAso/v-deo.html
And Yoichi vs Miyagikyo: ua-cam.com/video/PiYRt9JPR0Q/v-deo.html
As for Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt... watch this space!
Nice advertisement analysis too
Thank you! I think understanding the culture around a drink is important. Glad you do too!
Ise Bay looks nice. Love ports
🛳🚢🥃
I'm wanting to get more into japanese whisky - however it can be expensive here in Australia. I currently have a bottle of Hibiki harmony and I love that. I've been able to try akashi white oak toji and blue label, and Kura 12 year, and I've been fortunate to try Kujira 20YO and 30YO. As someone knew to Japanese whisky, what would you recommend that has that light floral sweetness like Hibiki? Thanks!
You might like Nikka Coffey Malt. Check out my review of it here: ua-cam.com/video/ePZ5pocBGq4/v-deo.html
Curious how you would compare this to Nikka Coffey Grain as we cannot get Chita in the US ? Thanks
Hey! It's interesting you say that, because I see conflicting info online re: Chita's availability in the US. I'm planning to do a grain whisky comparison across the brands, so I'm reluctant to give any spoliers for that, but the short answer is that Chita is more balanced. Hope that helps!
@@KanpaiPlanet Exelent! Looking forward to the video. I know you said on Roy's livestream that Chita makes a light medium and heavy grain Whisky and blends them which I would think would give them a leg up? Cheers
I think that's a definite factor. Leads to a more harmonious dram for sure!
Bro where on earth are you getting NAS 白州 and 山崎 for ¥4620? Are you saying that's the 700ml bottle price? There's no way it's close to ¥9000
Hey Ezekiel. That's the suggested retail price in Japan. Many shops will mark them up unfortunately. Some won't. Last week I picked up a bottle of Hakushu for that price in Takashimaya Shinjuku. Thanks for watching and commenting, and Good Luck!
Shanghai
Really dislike this one, every time I got an acrid, astringent burnt plastic note…
I've heard whisky friends say that they get notes like that with Bourbon/Grain Whiskies. In curious, is it like that for you, or is it Chita-specific? Thank you for watching and commenting.
I find the Chita too sweet, with not much depth.
Each to their own! Kanpai!
@@KanpaiPlanet Kanpai!! And merry Christmas
All the best for 2023!
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Kanpai!
I'm on my third bottle in 15 months. Big u-turn. Now I love it.
All I taste alcohol and grain lol
Lol!
I relly disliked this whisky...
That's a shame. Are you usually a fan of grains or is just this one that stands out?
@@KanpaiPlanet this whiskey specifically, felt very bitter and green to me
Luckily, there's plenty more great stuff out there. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I was taken aback how good it is for the price!
Agreed!