In 2019, the estimated value of these regulations was $628 million. Hence, the Japanese government has resorted to putting in place whiskey regulations to protect the industry.
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Today, many imposter expressions are claiming to be Japanese whiskey but, in reality, are not. This has made the local market to be beleaguered with fake products. Highly-Priced Whiskey Regulationsĭelicacy Japanese whiskey such as the Suntory Hibiki was developed from obscurity, rising to become a hot product worldwide. The Japanese whiskies are winning and edging out the western dominance on the big stage, so they have international recognition. Because of the whiskey history and other awards, the Japanese whiskies have received a spotlight and highlighted the extraordinary Japanese whiskey market. This exposure and recognition have helped increase the demand and value for Japanese whiskey. For example, the Whiskey Bible 2015 named the Yamazaki Sherry Cask as the World Whiskey of the year in 2013. Several Japanese whiskies have been given remarkable international awards around the globe, which has added more value to most Japanese-based whiskies, including the Suntory Hibiki. While the type of distillery a bottle of Japanese whiskey, whether closed or open, may affect the whiskey price, open distilleries also have whiskey bottles going for a high price. The whiskey from these distilleries is higher in price for its rarity in the market. Over the years, some popular Japanese distilleries such as Hanyu and Karuizawa have shut down. However, closed Japanese distilleries have contributed to the rarity of the whiskies and the high demands. Japanese whiskey sold from open distilleries often has a lower price. Closed DistilleriesĪlthough there are still not many whiskey distilleries across Japan, many distilleries have opened and closed over the past decades. Also, the Hibiki whiskey is a remarkable collector’s item and a product that lasts for years hence it will be worth the investment. Japanese whiskey tends to be smokier, drier, and pettier compared to the sweeter American ryes and bourbons. Japanese Hibiki whiskey is manufactured after the scotch tradition that involves double distilling malted or/and peated barley before aging in wood barrels. The taste of the whiskey is a memorable, powerful experience if you enjoy the richness of the aged liquor. This is another reason why the 12, 17,21 years expression Hibiki whiskey is so expensive. The most of the whiskies, the older they are, the more mature and finer the taste and the highly valuable they are. The Age of The WhiskeyĪge is a significant factor in the high price tag of Suntory Hibiki whiskey and most Japanese whiskies. Moreover, while the Japanese distillery puts a lot of effort into generating the finest whiskey, the product needs a longer timeline to age, get perfected, and release into the market. Hibiki 17 or Hibiki 21 expressions are some of the most regarded whiskies, making them a lot tougher to find the bottle. This has created a scarcity of the Suntory Hibiki whiskey, pushing prices up, making it very expensive. In 2018, Beam Suntory recently discontinued its most famous expressions, namely, Hibiki 17-year-old and Hakusha 12-year-old.
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Everyone started to want the taste of the Japanese whiskey, but the few remaining distillates were not enough to meet the demand. This saw the whiskey fall from favor in Japan, and many distilleries closed until 2003 when the world recognized the delicious taste of the Japanese whiskey. Japanese whiskey was enjoyed locally for decades until the 1980s when Schoch, a rice-based spirit, changed the whims. While Japanese whiskies are increasingly popular, the supply in the USA is still limited. Japanese whiskey has become increasingly famous in the West, and despite several Japanese distilleries producing whiskey, it is hard for the supply to keep up with the demand. High Demand Than SupplyĪccording to the laws of demand and supply, the lower the supply, the higher the demand. But why is Suntory Hibiki whiskey so expensive? 1. However, if you are new to the Japanese whiskey price tags, you might be shocked to see some luxurious liquor like the Suntory Hibiki whiskey selling for thousands of dollars. The Suntory Hibiki is one of the Japanese whiskey delicacies that deserves to be on the top shelf of your liquor cabinet. The Japanese are popular for being patient and conscientious in perfecting any craftsmanship, and whiskey production is one of the arts that has given Japanese whiskey an excellent reputation and high-in-demand worldwide.