Published on Dec, 2024
We had an absolutely fantastic time on this tour. It was everything we wanted to find in a whiskey tour of Tokyo/Japan. We started by meeting our host, Koki, in Ebisu at 8 PM, from there, we visited two local whiskey bars that did not disappoint, ended up staying out until the last train would take us back home. Koki was an excellent host and by the end of the evening, a good friend. His passion for whiskey and his company really shown through. Each bar was a great local bar with less than 15 total seats, there is no way you would be able to find or get into either our if you were not a local, it was like being in our own neighborhood. The first bar was A really nice way to start the night, the bar was not intimidating and quiet, The bar owner was quiet and clearly wanted to help us find some whiskeys that we had not had before and would enjoy. My wife and I tried a few including some Fuji whiskeys all were very good. The next stop was even more fantastic, the bar set up was a bit more to our liking sitting at the counter, talking, not only with Koki but with the bar owner. The passion, both of them had for the whiskeys, that chase of rare bottles, and the different flavors Was great. It felt like talking to my friends at home about our bottle chases. We ended up getting to try a few rare bottles (Lucky Cat, Yamazakura Asaka Sakura Cask, and three from Ichiro’s malt…MWR, Double Distillers, and Red Wine Reserve). My wife really enjoys a tiki/tropical/fruity gin and the bartender recommended Komasa Gin in an orange flavor which was also great. Both Koki and the bar owner shared some of their favorite places to go find rare bottles in and around the city and other bar options throughout Tokyo and Japan. We are looking forward to going to chase a few rare bottles and visit some of the other whiskey bars around Tokyo. I simply can’t recommend this tour enough if you want to meet some great people with deep passion for whiskeys.