Skip to content
Sip Curator
Log in Sign up
All spirits Bourbon Scotch Whiskey Tequila Mezcal Rum Gin Vodka Brandy Liqueur Ready to Drink Everything else Taste finder Brands
Takamine Whiskey 8 Year
Takamine

Takamine Whiskey 8 Year

4.07 Good

25 reviews25 ratings

84 critic score Above average for whiskey

Whiskey Japanese Whisky Kyushu 8 Year 40% ABV

Tried it?

How was this pour?

Score this bottle

Rating a bottle takes an account, so your scores follow you and count towards the number everyone else reads.

About this bottle

This whiskey is named for Jokichi Takamine, a Japanese chemist who resided in Illinois. In the 1890s, he was the first to use koji fermentation—a traditional Japanese technique employing naturally occurring grain mold to break down starches into sugars—on American whiskey. The Shinozaki Distillery produces this whiskey, which has a mash bill of 100% pearled 2-row barley, with 40% koji-fermented and 60% steamed. Following a 2-day koji propagation, it undergoes a 2-stage open fermentation and then a double pot-still distillation to 86.7 proof. The whiskey is matured for 8 years in a combination of virgin American oak and ex-bourbon casks, with no added color. It is bottled at 80 proof. The packaging was updated in the fall of 2023, and the suggested retail price is $99.

How it tastes

Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.

Herbal 70
Rich 60
Tart 60
Full Bodied 60
Oily 50
Smoky 40
Fruity 40
Vanilla 40

Reviews

Showing the most detailed of 11 parsed reviews.

Kris Mccray 4.3

It has been a considerable period since I last sampled a spirit from Japan or engaged on this platform. The narrative surrounding the creation of this excellent liquor truly captured my interest. I felt compelled to discover the taste of the final product. I must admit, the caliber was highly impressive, particularly given the cost. The aroma offered hints of cherries and an herbaceous quality. The flavor was quite intricate, presenting notes of apple, earth, those same herbaceous tones, and cocoa. It was generally smooth with a lively edge that concluded dry, featuring peppery and grain characteristics. This serves as a commendable everyday option for newcomers to this category or for experienced drinkers alike.

John Solorio 4.3

Characterized by earthiness, mushrooms, fungi, fruit, apples, soil, cereal, and a delicate, balanced profile. It possesses a light, fruity quality akin to a highland malt, yet offers a singular, funky, earthy taste that persists. The warmth is moderate, and it goes down pleasantly with a brief lingering sensation. I appreciate the use of koji in the fermentation process!

Mina Acker 4.3

This whiskey will delight beginners and whisky enthusiasts both! My husband and I enjoyed the pleasant yet surprisingly mellowness on the bite and the burn and appreciated the subtle sweet tones

Darian Conroy 4.3

Aroma: Similar to bourbon, sweet, with notes of vanilla and caramel. Flavor: While not tasting like bourbon, it's still enjoyable. It has fruit-forward notes, a German rye character, subtle spice, and finishes with a pleasant sweetness.

Willa Molina 3.8

Easy to drink. A strong herbal flavor appears at first but fades quickly. Generally unimpressed, unfortunately. It’s still good, but not worth the cost for me.

Jacqueline Deal 4.0

An intriguing rendition with a degree of complexity that sparks curiosity about the narrative behind this bottle. Quite good for an 8-year-old expression.

5 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.

Tastes like this

Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.

All Japanese Whisky