[Master, give me something interesting #4] I encountered a Japan (and Scotland) I didn't know at the whisky paradise in Ikebukuro, "J's Bar."
It is the only one.
I'm not good with trains, so I basically go everywhere by car. For someone like me, bars in the city center felt a little out of reach.
But, a follower on X told me, "There's a recommended bar in Ikebukuro," and I finally decided to make the effort. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to drink in Ikebukuro had arrived! After warming up by visiting liquor stores, I headed to...
The famous Ikebukuro spot, "J's Bar".
I had heard rumors, but the moment I opened the door, I was breathless. Whisky bottles filled the counter. And not just any bottles—rare ones I'd never seen before and independent bottlings everywhere.
Here, I discovered a menu that felt like a glitch: "3 types for 3,000 yen". Of course, I ordered it. Wait, this one, that one, and that one are all 1,000 yen a glass??? At other bars, these would have been 4,000 to 8,000 yen...
Since it was my first time, I nervously said, "I like sherry casks..." and the bartender selected a few bottles for me. But, I'm in a place like this. I want to see a world I don't know.
I said my usual magic words.
"Give me something interesting"
And so began the ultimate tasting experience, touring a Japan I didn't know.
First bottle: A private bottling from a Chichibu liquor store
Glen Elgin 2009 16 Year Old (Asaya Shoten Private Bottle)
The first one that came out was this. A private bottle selected and bottled by the famous Saitama-Chichibu liquor store "Asaya Shoten" from The Single Cask.
What's more, it hasn't even been released to the general public as of the time I'm writing this! "The competition is crazy, so you probably can't buy it," the bartender said. Am I really allowed to drink something so precious...!?
The bartender, knowing I said I liked sherry casks, intentionally recommended this, saying, "Bourbon barrels are also sweet and delicious." The aroma had sweet notes of grated apple, honey, and madeleine. From deep within, there was also a floral quality like jasmine tea.
When I took a sip... delicious! The sweetness of honey and fresh red apple spread first, followed by a rich sweetness like custard cream and canelé. Can bourbon barrel aging really be this sweet and fruity?! Finally, a slightly bitter and complex finish like ginger candy and dried mango lingered for a long time.
I was completely knocked out. It was so delicious that I didn't want to forget the taste, so I walked home with it still on my palate.
Second bottle: Could it be "Teriyaki Chicken"!? A rising star from Fukushima
Asaka 2019-2025 6 Year Old Port Wine Cask 57%
'You might like this Port Wine Cask, too.' With that, the bartender brought out a bottle from the Asaka Distillery in Fukushima. It seems to be a commemorative bottle from a whisky event held in Koriyama.
At this point, the bartender dropped a bombshell.
'Port wine has a distinctive 'teriyaki chicken' flavor.'
Teriyaki chicken!? Apparently, this bartender is always researching cuisines and spices from various countries, so his flavor descriptions are incredibly specific and interesting. You'd never see this in an official tasting note, right? (laughs)
When I tried it with some skepticism... w-well, it's true! There is a nuance like a sweet and savory sauce!
But of course, that's not all. It has the gorgeous aroma of red fruits typical of a port wine cask, and a rich sweetness like plums. The unique character of the Asaka Distillery and the character of the cask match perfectly. I was surprised, but this is also incredibly delicious!
It was so delicious that I didn't want to forget the taste, so I went home with it still in my mouth.
Third bottle: Is this... 'Yunker'!? The challenger from Ibaraki
Hinomaru Whisky Single Cask 2018-2025 7YO Cream Sherry Cask Hyakuseifuma
The last glass. Once again, the bartender gave me a shocking keyword.
'This one is... 'Yunker.'
Yunker!? That energy drink!? This bar is just too interesting.
'Hinomaru Whisky' produced by Kiuchi Brewery's Yasato Distillery in Ibaraki Prefecture. Aged for 7 years in a cream sherry cask.
The aroma has the sweetness of cream sherry and toffee, along with hazelnut ice cream. The taste has a Japanese-style sweetness like raisin chocolate or chestnut paste dorayaki. And finally, it has a bitterness like green tea, and a unique flavor reminiscent of goji berries and almond tofu.
So this is... Yunker...! (Not really)
I also feel a slightly earthy nuance, like burdock root. Maybe it's the peat, a unique character. This is also incredibly delicious!
It was so delicious that I didn't want to forget the taste, so I went home with it still in my mouth.
The future of Japanese craft (and Scotch) is bright
What I had that day was one wonderful private bottle of Scotch whisky and two bottles from Japanese craft distilleries. I was moved by how delicious and unique the whiskies produced by Asaka and Hinomaru are—brands I don't often have the chance to drink.
With the market flooded with suspicious "Japanese-style whiskies," I found myself wanting to encounter more and more of these bottles from producers who are sincerely dedicated to whisky making. (And of course, the best Scotch, too!)
With the market flooded with suspicious "Japanese-style whiskies," I found myself wanting to encounter more and more of these bottles from producers who are sincerely dedicated to whisky making.
By the way, the one I agonized over until the very last minute but ultimately gave up on was a 33-year-old Bushmills that apparently is only supplied to specific bars. I hope it's still there when I come back next time...! And to my surprise, the manager of a certain Shinanoya store happened to be there that day, leading to a wonderful encounter.
J's Bar, thank you for the best space, the best whisky, and the best encounters. I'll be back soon!
#Whisky #BAR #Bar #WhiskyReview #Ikebukuro #JsBar #GlenElgin #Asaka #HinomaruWhisky #JapaneseWhisky #CraftWhisky #WantToConnectWithWhiskyLovers #Alcohol #MasterGiveMeSomethingInteresting