Japan's New Whisky Standards: 6 Months On
Вставка
- Опубліковано 17 лип 2024
- 6 months on, have Japan's new whisky standards, announced by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association in February 2021, made any difference? They have - for good, and for bad.
The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association announced a new set of regulations for products labelled as ‘Japanese whisky’, which are sometimes not very Japanese at all!
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!
Watch these two videos to get up to speed on the debates around Japanese Whisky:
New Japanese Whisky regulations: • The end of fake Japane...
What is Japanese Whisky?: • What is Japanese Whisky?
Price chart courtesy of whiskystats.net
Deep digging into Matsui Whisky/Kyoto Miyako courtesy of nomunication.jp
Welcome to Kanpai Planet, bringing you the world of Japanese drinks direct from the heart of Tokyo.
IF YOU'RE NEW, SUBSCRIBE NOW! We want YOU to be a part of our growing community of Japanese drinks lovers! Kanpai!
Links to other Japanese Whisky videos on Kanpai Planet:
Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2021 Review: • Hibiki Blossom Harmony...
Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 Review: • Yamazaki Limited Editi...
How to pronounce Japanese Whisky: • How to Pronounce Japan...
Links to Kanapi Planet socials:
Twitter: / kanpaiplanet
Facebook: / kanpaiplanet
Instagram: / kanpaiplanet
LinkedIn: / kanpaiplanet
MERCH: shop.mactionplanet.com
----
#JapaneseWhisky #Whiskey #Whisky
. . . very articulate and well presented. Keep 'em coming !
As they say in the memes, "That feeling when a WhiskyTube legend endorses your content." Thanks for watching and commenting Ralfy, you made my day! Please check out some of the other content on Kanpai Planet - I'd love your thoughts on it. Kanpai!
I love this Mac. It is great that you expose the companies that are cheating the consumers. Good job!
Thanks Martin. In the true spirit of the JSLMA rules, the onus is on the consumer ;-)
Brilliant update on this sensitive topic, Mac, & I love the Starwars "Yin & Yang model" used here...On a smaller scale that is alas what happened in France too, where only 2 regions have more precise regulations, even if they're not the same, and even some distilleries of those regions don't comply to those new local regulations...Hard to get through this especially for the newcomers to this scene, as for Japan...Glad there is some hope though, as you said, some Japanese distilleries now learning to collaborate...Maybe the Force be with you, Mac ! Kanpaï !
May the force be with us all! Kanpai!
Any chance of a bloopers segment after the credits?
I'd need some bloopers for that! 🤓
One of my fave Kanpai planet videos. Informative/Funny/Fearless 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
That means a lot coming from you! Kanpai!
I love how stuff like this is such a contentious issue amongst the community (ignore any negativity on this on Mac, it's bob on). As a collective, we should be demanding clarity from the producers of our favourite liquids.
Hear, hear! No other issues need to be conflated here. Drinkers, eaters, and consumers in general demand and deserve transparency about anything we spend our money on!
This was excellent THANK YOU for posting this and including sources and metrics. Outstanding
You're very welcome! Thank YOU for watching and commentating. Please share this video with all you friends - it would mean a lot to me - and subscribe for more! Kanpai!
Wow… just wow. February: Let’s all rejoice and celebrate the fact Japanese whisky embraces transparency! September: yeah, uhm, actually it is now possibly even more obscure and difficult finding out what’s what. Just when I thought the SWA were deliberately trying to prevent customers from getting clear, transparent information, the Japanese be like ‘look and learn kid ‘ 🙈. Thanks Mac for a fantastic update. Hope a lot of people will watch this and the distilleries will be getting a lot of ‘uncomfortable’ questions about the whole thing.
Thanks Menno. Between Scotland and Japan, it definitely has a whole "Hold my beer" feel, right?! I feel this is an important video, so please share far and wide!
@@KanpaiPlanet I do feel that the smaller of the large ones try to be as transparent as they can be.
I agree Niels. There would definitely be ways to make things clearer, especially around chill-filtering and colouring, but I don't feel that Chichibu and Mars are deliberately obfurscating the origin of their non-Japanese blends.
@@KanpaiPlanet LOL, or is it "hold my sake"? No, it's "hold my Nikka from Ben Nevis" ;)
Ha! Ben Nevis and who knows what else!
Thanks for the fantastic update.
Thanks Cliff! Good to see you in the comments again!
This has got to be one of the best videos I have seen regarding this issue. Thank you for being so informative and making these things very easy to understand.
Thanks for your kind and motivating words sir!
This is a fact filled and fascinating update, Mac. Thank you! You are providing a great service to the many like me who simply don't have the time to follow this evolving situation with all the subtle loop-holes and twists.
Thanks Bud! I hope we've got a bit more clarity come the next update! All the best from Tokyo. Mac
The quality of your videos is top notch, Mac! Easily one of the best channels I’ve watched. I’m hopeful in time you’ll get a sub count that reflects the work that you put into them!
Thanks so much! With the support of people like you, it will happen!
Best video in some time. Well done team and thanks for your efforts.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching and commenting!
A guide through the maze of what is real and what is not, Japanese whisky.
You would think that distilleries would gladly put their seal of authenticity on each and every bottle rather than leave the unsuspecting consumer hang in the wind. That’s what we do with Cornish Pasties and Kendall Mint Cake, after all. Until that day, Mac’s rummaging through the paperwork and sifting the malted barley form the chaff (hehe) will allow many a mind to rest assured how to find real Japanese whisky.
Stunning research, hats off!
That's what I don't understand! Why wouldn't you want the world to very clearly know that you were making the good stuff?!?
Until we find out the answer to that mystrey, and beyond... KANPAI!
They clearly are trying to pull the wool over our eyes on their other products.
Exactly! 🤓
sir, new sub acquired ... proper delivery and super educational.
now i only wish I could find stock of any of these titles you've mentioned!
I wish I could too! Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing. Please check out the other videos on the channel, and share the channel and content with all your drinks-loving friends!
Great video. Very informative and well presented.
Thank you!
This Video is amazing! 😂 Thanks for the laughs and the great information.
Edutainment is the goal on Kanpai Planet! Thanks for your comment. Please share the video, and all the others, with your drinks-loving friends. It really helps! Kanpai!
Outstanding knowledge!!!! Keep it up!
Thank you!
Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet 🥃
Kanpai!
Thank you so much. As well as a big whisky fan, my main interest in watching these videos is to give me some background knowledge to begin to set out criteria for determining the Kosher status of these products for observant Jews. As you have clearly pointed out, the main issues here and a huge red flag is a continued lack of product transparency, both practice and ingredients, even amongst those companies who say they are complying with the new regulations. Moreover, there is still no penalty for failure to enforce these regulations.
This has been a real eye opener.
My pleasure! Even when communicating directly with these companies, they often hide behind 'proprietary knowledge' as an excuse not to disclose anything.
Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacofee.com/kanpaiplanet
Kanpai!
Great video again Mac! You've been putting out some unique and enjoyable content out there. Do you think that distributors should be held accountable as well?
I've noticed in my travels that many stores' staff around the world don't know that much of their 'Japanese' whisky isn't very Japanese at all. It seems like distributors use the Japanese name to justify selling am over priced product to stores who then further pass the price increase on to the customer.
Thanks for watching and your lovely comment!
I agree with your comment - the distributors also bear some responsibility, but often they are just parroting what they have been told by the manufacturers. In my experience, there are those that don't know better (but should), and those that do know and don't care. Lots of work to do to rebuild the reputation of Japanese whisky!
BTW, it would mean a lot to me if you would share the content you have been enjoying with as many people as possible! 🙏🙏🤓
@@KanpaiPlanet You bet I will Mac! Will keep me busy waiting for the next great video drop from Kanpai Planet 😁 Wish I stopped by Aloha Bar when I was in Japan earlier this year 🥃
Thank you! One day, you will be able to return. One day...
Very interesting. Learning a lot!
Thank you for watching and commenting. This was a follow-up to a video made when the regulations were released which you may find interesting: ua-cam.com/video/wMaqaWcwsaM/v-deo.html
@@KanpaiPlanet Yes, I was already on it!...And I agree with all points. Whisky should be celebrated as an international beverage with less of the nationalism in this day and age. Interesting how much of that comes into PR, but the fundamental question is, whilst branding is fine, when does it become an unhealthy amount, quite literally? Precisely as you described, when every single miniscule ingredient needs to be able to be traced back to Japan. Taking things to the extreme, reminiscent of pre-16th Cent. etc
Great updates! Completely agree, just be transparent about it. If it's good whisky it's good whisky!
Thanks Jaime. We're in total agreement! If you're not transparent, you're not proud of what you're making, which tells me I shouldn't buy it!
Please subscribe for more, and share this video with all your friends!
I just discovered your channel on UA-cam and by the caliber of your data you just become my Japanese whisky “go to” UA-camr. Kampai! 🥃
Wow! Thank you Mark! That really means a lot. Please subscribe for more, and share these videos with all your friends. Kanpai!
Great vid! Will there be more follow-ups? I always prejudiced Japanese specialists as proud and honest about their craft. It seems that's often not the case when it comes to whisky craft. Why is that?
Thank you! For follow up, check this out:
ua-cam.com/video/719z5EKzNsE/v-deo.html
That may also help answer your question after craftsmanship.
I'll be monitoring the situation - maybe in 6 months there'll be a 'one year on' update. Thanks for watching! Kanpai!
Great video.
Thank you Bill. Please subscribe for more, and share this video with all your friends.
@@KanpaiPlanet Have done ... found your channel through the latest VPub .... great to have found a good source of info re 'Japanese' whisky.
Cheers Bill. It's going to be a large 2022 on Kanpai Planet!
Another great video. So sad to see KIMONO-belt-KYOTO-whisky...........we should not do KANPAI with this kind of product
Agreed! Luckily we have lots of great stuff to enjoy. Thanks for watching, and Kanpai!
Great explanation of Japanese wiskey companies.
🥃🥃🥃
God this channel is fantastic. Great video! The lack of transparency in Japanese Whisky just makes me not want to engage with the market much at all. The regulations are not really asking for much, transparency for the customer is a pretty basic requirement.
Thank you so much for your comment! Super kind and motivating! Please subscriber, and share these videos with all your friends! I'd love to reach 2000 subscribers by Xmas Day!
As for transparency - that's all were asking for! It's almost more important than the provenance. Yet there is a pervasive 'the company knows best' attitude amongst the incumbents. Luckily some of the new craft distillers are challenging that.
Thanks for the crazy good video! Nice updated info on what seemed like progress. However, one thing that kept me bugging for 12minutes and 44 seconds - what is that scallywag?! Everything's japanese, of sorts, and that one sticks out unbelievably. Is it some Japanese influenced?
Thanks for watching and pa and paying such close attention! It's the Shibuya Edition from Douglas Laing's Scallwag's Adventure Series. Japan-limited/Japan-branded drinks are within Kanpai Planet remit - check out this review of the Resident Evil Japan-exclsuive Glenfarclas 25!
ua-cam.com/video/Yw_71G69vdA/v-deo.html
@@KanpaiPlanet wow, now I wish I had 300eur to drop for a bottle 😅 atleast I'll try to look up for some Japanese site to shop for whisky, all that's left - someone to send them over. Thanks a lot!
It's a premium bottle for sure! Thanks for watching!
Me, my brain, and my taste buds are just going to ease my way over to this quiet corner over here, sip on my Yoichi and Taketsuru NAS's while you smarties figure this all out. Kanpai!🥃
Working on it!
Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet
Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
You quickly mentioned Takamine at the end. Is that actually distilled and bottled in Japan? I heard about that a few years back but never looked into it.
It is. For Takamine, koji propagation, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling happen in Japan. Kanpai!
So quick question is the Matsui single malts non JLSA compliant? I could not find any info online. Seems like you keep shooting down Kurayoshi distillery for their actions haha!
They have certainly been the most egregious in their transgressions, and quite confrontational about it.
The first Matsui single malts were called single malts yet were probably only aged for 18 months. So everyone I know has stopped bothering with them.
Someone should gather the info, make those calls and create a paid app that lists every relevant product on the market, with a simple statement in a chart: Japanese / Blended / World.
* Notes down business idea * 🤓 Thanks for watching and commenting!
wow talk about change. we get the home collection background and contacts? take notes, whisky makers of Japan
Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed the different environment. And yes, its time for this whisky industry to quickly mature.
Good morning Mac, great video on such a wonderfully confusing subject! I think there will be some time before the regulations are less confusing and open for „creative interpretation“ . And as within the EU, I guess it won‘t work without governmental input and actual fines. Then producers have the chance to actually use these regulations to their advantage, like Parma or Champagne or any other protected origin product!
I completely agree. It's good that it has finally kicked-off, and I'll be tracking its evolution over the next few years. Thanks for watching and commenting!
how did you get three different type of boxes of nikka miyagikyo?
when i buy it it never comes in a box? how to get for collector?
Those are the Miyagikyo Distillery Exclusive Key Malts. They come in a box.
Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet
Kanpai!
Why is it so hard for them to just be honest and straightforward......
A big part is a function of the industry's history and also the lax laws and tax regulations around what constitutes whisky in Japan. Luckily things are very slowly starting to change...
Good work. Yeah, this is a monumental about of BS. I've have been critical from the beginning. Big guys trying to dominate more. I agree with you about the koji / shochu thing too. It should be explained, but also appreciated alongside whisky.
We won't get a change to the law for Koji, but an aside from the JSLMA would be appreciated. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe for more, and share my videos with your pals! It's truly appreciated.
"Matured under 3 years in a wooden cask under 700 litres" is that literally the phrase that JSLMA want non compliant producers to use?! Oh my word....
Great and informative video. Now, as when these 'regulations' were released, it seems that the problem is largely that Japanese legislators and tax collectors have no reason to care enough to get involved. We can only hope that they will be the first step in the right direction. Cheers!
My word indeed! The tax department is currently happy with the way things are. I think it will take time, but eventually we may see a GI-driven push to categorise Japanese Whisky, but that is a long way off if it ever happens. Thanks for the kind words about the video.
So is Matsui Shuzo any relation to the Kyoto sake brewery Matsui Shuzo?
Thankfully they are not!
I can't stop watching hahaha
That's the best compliment a video maker can receive! Please do share these videos. I'd love to get to 5000 subscribers soon! Enjoy, and Kanpai!
That's a bit disappointing about the efforts to shift responsibility on to the consumer who might just see that there are standards and assume they are buying something genuine. There's a real risk that "honest" producers get tarnished by the more "shady" producers.
Absolutely. It's almost worst now. Pre-April it was "buyer beware." Now. If you've heard about the new standards, you might think everything was trustworthy! Thanks for your comment - please subscribe for more!
For a culture that appears so focused on honor, these are pretty dishonorable practices overall.
I hear you. Luckily things are beginning to change, but we're a long way from a perfect world. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I like Japan's Whisky : )
Me too my friend! That's my I have dedicated an entire UA-cam channel to it! Please check out some of the other videos here, and subscribe for more! Kanpai!
It's hard to see how the Japanese whisky industry recovers. There will be suspicion for a generation at least.
Luckily things are beginning to change, but there is a long way to go!
As a whisky geek, a confirmed "malt mate", I am very enthusiastic about Japanese whisky. But as a pragmatic customer I don't buy it. At least with Scotch and Irish malts I can research in English, funny difficult names of distilleries notwithstanding. At least provenance is not questionable, within country of origin. With Japanese Whisky, not only do we have a lack of transparency/integrity, but we also have higher prices. Several whiskies that friends purchased have been shamefully forgettable and a waste of their money. Funny how Scotch whisky industry is concerned with preventing others from faking their namesake spirit, the Japanese whisky industry is insistent on protecting that very racket, even though they already have a reputation for great malts. Why would anyone overpay for mixing blends when you can get cheap Scotch for the same purpose? We want single malts! So even with these new rules I don't think I will run out to buy Japanese whisky. Maybe in a few years. That's my message to Japanese Whisky Industry. If they are confused by it, they can reach out to my customer service ;)
They can call you or check your website! 🤓
I understand the sentiments. The simple reason for the way the industry is here is that Suntory and Nikka don't have the capacity to produce all the whisky needed for all their products, PLUS it's cheaper for them to import whisky for their lower grade products. These products will continue to exist. What's important is the transparency. We've a long way to go, but this is a start.
Being a Japanese whisky enthusiast is almost as hard as being a fine aged rum enthusiast. Almost no transparency in rum!
I hear you! Why do companies think we don't deserve the information?!
Are there phone numbers that we can call and we can use to get the essential facts and entertainment of the whisky provenance.
They exist, along with Fax Numbers, but, like everything, you'll have to research them yourself!
Wait, are all NFTB releases blended with non Japanese?
According to Nikka's website, yes. Thanks for watching. Please share this video with all your whisky-loving friends!
I just foolishly bought some garbage called Yamato for $150. Labeled Japanese whiskey aged in Mizunara casks. Pure garbage...My fault for not doing research, but clearly it's not completely resolved
Sorry to hear this. I don't think it is your fault. I think the labelling should be much clearer. There is a long way to go before it is!
Still very confusing. Not everyone knows where to look to get the correct information. Just as an example, here is the current description of Nikka From the Barrel on the website of a very reputable and highly respected specialist retailer:
"Nikka From The Barrel is a combination of the company's two single malt distilleries, Miyagikyo and Yoichi, blended with grain whisky that is also produced at Miyagiko."
Other whisky retailers still have similar descriptions on their websites. So it's still very misleading. The correct information should be on the label.
Thanks Willem for your insightful comment. This is one thing that makes me very angry - Nikka let people believe there was nothing but Japanese Juice in this bottle and did nothing to correct the misinformation.
You’ll only get the label once you buy the bottle, so the correct info should be given to retailers at the point of distribution. "This is what you're selling!"
That's almost fraud.
There are so many pretenders now with kanji labels lol. Great video!
Right?! It's a confusing landscape to navigate.
Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet
Guess I'll stick to scotch.
Enjoy, and Kanpai!
Koji is a bit of a thorny issue. It's easy for us gaijins to say hey it looks like whisky, tastes like whisky, therefore it's whisky. It's easy to say hey koji is awesome and has a long history etc. etc.
But in Japan 洋酒 ("Western liquor") has always been distinct from sake and shochu. It's in the JSLMA's name (日本洋酒酒造組合), an organization which as you know is completely independent of organizations like JSS (日本酒造組合中央会). The law is written that way too. The word koji doesn't appear anywhere in the JSLMA definition of Japanese whisky. They simply defer to the National Tax Agency's legal definition of the whisky category. It's that legal definition of whisky which requires malted grain to be used. Does Takamine Whiskey use malted grain? If not, it can't legally be called whisky in Japan. Koji is essentially where the tax man has decided to draw the line in the sand between Western liquor and Japanese liquor. You can ask the JSLMA to have an open mind about it, but their answer will probably be "tell it to the feds."
The law doesn't even 'protect' Nihonshu AKA Japanese Sake, the national drink of this country, so I'm not expecting it to protect this century old foreign import!
I don't expect any re-write of the JSLMA rules, and nor perhaps should they - both of which are why I said "unlikely". However, in a world of terroir and heritage, it would be "nice" (perhaps driven sentimentalism as you say) to see an acknowledgement of it somewhere. Especially as the big players make the entire vertical of drinks. It would be entirely within the JSLMA's power and remit to add a small amendment/exception.
Going back to the tax laws, they were written that way to avoid the wrath of the US and European Communities when they came down on Japan for a previous version of its alcohol tax regime, not because of some morality about what truly constitutes whisky!
As you know, Jokichi Takamine was making maltless whisky using the koji process in Illinois 25 years before Taketsuru went to Scotland to learn how to make Scotch whisky. Dr. Takamine went on to a long and productive career in medical research including isolating adrenaline (the 1st time a human hormone had been isolated in human history), which has since saved millions of lives worldwide. He founded Daiichi Sankyo, which continues to operate today as one of Japan's largest pharmaceutical companies.
The Takamine Whiskey mentioned in the video is clearly labeled as "koji fermented" and both on the back label and on the company's website it is made clear that the product represents a revival of a 19th century style of American whiskey - it does not bill itself as a Japanese whisky. After all, isn't this all about transparency?
Thanks for watching and commenting. You're right - transparency is key and it's great to see it. Takamine is an absolutely fascinating character - I'll be showcasing a lot more about him when I get round to reviewing the Takamine Whisky!
@@stephenlyman4651Takamine is definitely a lesson in transparency that a lot of makers should see. I was just trying to highlight the difficulties that may be faced trying to get Japan to call anything made with koji a whisky, let alone a Japanese whisky.
This is exactly why I stopped buying Japanese Whisky!!!you have no idea what you getting…
It's sad, and I don't blame you. At least now we have an idea about some of the whiskies' provenance. Hopefully over time we can bring you back to the fold my friend!
Rules are not fit for purpose.Neef to be clear if they are importing Scottish whisky and selling it as Japanese
They are a start, but with no penalties for non-compliance, and companies creating new entities to circumvent the rules, it's tough to envisage a world of the clear labeling consumers need and deserve.
Attack of the koji!!
The Koji Strikes Back!
@@KanpaiPlanet we need a return of the Koji! Too soon for the last Koji
Rogue Koji!
Very good work. Keep exposing this fakery.
Thank you.
Please subscribe for more, and consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet
Kanpai!
What a shit show. Imagine a bunch of grown men (I’m almost certain it was men representing the big five of course) sitting in a room creating a response to issues that they created by misleading their customers, deciding to obfuscate the facts in an even more sophisticated way. They just wanted to make it appear they were being Something other than filthy liars by telling what are functionally filthy lies. Shame.
Transparency has been a long-standing issue in the drinks industry, partly because it is regulated by the tax authorities, who have certain concerns, but those are not consumer prrotection, provenence, hygiene etc