Nikka is owned by the brewer Asahi, the company was originally set up by Masataka Taketsuru, who built Yoichi distillery in 1934, having previously spent two years studying the art of distilling in Scotland. (He also developed the now famous 'Yamazaki' distillery in Kyoto for Suntory which he managed for ten years). Nikka's range of blended, pure malt and single malt whiskies will be exciting new discoveries for any Whisky enthusiast. Japanese whisky is slowly becoming on par with Scotland's famous distilleries among many of the leading whisky experts. Nikka Pure Malt Black Whisky is nutty and malty on the nose, with developing peat and a hint of ginger. In the mouth this is initially fresh and fruity – Spangles sweets, followed by subtle peat, toffee and spicy oak. The finish is lingering, sappy, peaty, and with pleasing fragrant notes. Nikka has done a great job integrating everything in the Pure Malt Black (i.e., a truly balanced blend of the peaty Yoichi and fruity Miyagikyo). One should never miss the opportunity to try a Nikka whisky neat, in an appropriate tasting glass in order to capture the full extent of the complexity and the unique profile each expression has to offer. Adding ice cubes to a fine whisky, however, is not at be seen as inappropriate in Japan. Ice cubes should be as large as possible, and the preferred option is one large block or ball of clear ice for a slow tasting experience. Japanese bartenders often hand-carve their ice for an unforgettable experience.

Balvenie Caribbean Cask was created by The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart, who celebrated an incredible 50th anniversary at the distillery in 2012. This single malt has had a 14-year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, before being transferred to casks that previously held Caribbean rum to finish aging.

Yamazaki is often referred to as being the pioneer of Japanese Whisky and is Suntory's flagship single malt. This whisky is spiratual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs around the world. The Distiller's Reserve is mild with fresh fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and Mizunara (Japanese oak). This is a must for any whisky lover.

This is the ultimate indulgence in Australian craft Whisky. White Possum has compiled 12 premium local Whiskies, presented in matte black glass sample bottles, together with a handy tasting and info guide to creating the most recognised Australian Whisky tasting set. The Flight of the Possum set features Whiskies from TAS, VIC, NSW, WA and QLD. Many of them have won major awards, but White Possum have also selected a few that fly under the radar!

Fresh wood barrel dominates the spirit with a touch of vanilla and flowers that bring to breath of nectar, maltose, tones of fruits citrus, Mizunara oak & coffee beans; medium wood intergration, then finish with a sweet aftertaste of maltose. Very smooth, rounded full pallet and easy to drink.

Ichiro Akuto's most voluminous and accessible Whisky is, as it says on the label, a blend of Malt and Grain Whiskies. While the exact source of the material is not published, it's known it's a blend of Japanese distilled material vatted with Whiskies sourced from around the world. In addition to whisky from his own stocks--including, potentially, Hanyu and Karuizawa, as well as his own Chichibu--the blend contains spirits from Canada, the United States, Ireland and Scotland. The imported Whiskeys are 3-5-years-old, aged in their country of origin before being carefully blended with local Japanese material and matured a further 1-3 years at Chichibu. The Whisky is vatted in 2 x 5,000-litre wooden barrels built by French cooper Taransaud. Non-chill filtered, non-coloured, Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky is a pure example of Akuto's whisky making expertise.

Known as 'the pioneer of Japanese whisky' Yamazaki is Japan’s first and oldest distillery. Established in 1923 on the periphery of Kyoto, in a unique, misty region water and mountains offer diversity in nature and temperature, where conditions are ideal for ageing whisky lies the birthplace of Japanese whisky and Suntory’s flagship single malt, Yamazaki. Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve is the introduction to the brand. Respecting Yamazaki’s heritage and signature taste, we combine aged Yamazaki sherry cask and aged Mizunara cask malt whiskies to create Distiller’s Reserve, a rich, easy to-drink whisky with a round-bodied, profound, and mature taste that is always luxurious, exclusive, knowledgeable, but never pretentious. This is a must for any whisky lover. Limited Stock

While India may not be the first country to mind when great world whisky is mentioned, the Fusion Single Malt is about to change all that. Considered by Jim Murray to be the 3rd best whisky in the world as part of his 2010 Whisky Bible, the Fusion is a phenomenal amalgam of flavours, aromas and texture the envy of most, even in Scotland. On the nose this spectacular whisky offers up notes of heavy oak, barley sugar and some subtle smoke characters that play ever so well with amazingly complex flavours like custard cream, toffee and dried fruits. While the whisky threatens to be completely overpowering, the balance on the finish is nothing short of ground breaking. There is simply no better way to extend your whisky horizons than with a bottle of Amrut Fusion.

Shinobu Whisky is hand crafted by the creative distiller, Mr. Usami, by carefully selecting whisky from around the world which are first reserved in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks and then finishing them with precious Japanese Mizunara oak in Japan. The result is a unique fusion of flavours and dynamic explosion in palate yet so smooth and easy to drink. All natural with no colouring.

Lots of very warm reviews on the blogoshere for this no-age-statement expression of Nikka which reportedly over-delivers for an entry level whisky. Named after the company's founder, Masataka Taketsuru, and aged on average for around 10 years, it includes whiskies from the Miyagikyo & Yoichi distilleries, including malt matured in Sherry casks.