A standing reference to
Japanese whisky.
Expressions and distilleries, documented to one standard: production detail, provenance, auction record, and retail movement across monitored Japanese retailers. Scored to a published methodology. Revised quarterly.
Edition 1 · Revised July 2026
The Collectability Index
A 0–100 composite of rarity, auction frequency, appreciation, and provenance risk, computed for every scored expression in the catalogue. Revised quarterly. Methodology published in full, including the weightings.
Cite as: Glass Guide Collectability Index, Edition 1 (July 2026).
Hibiki 40 Year Old
Yamazaki 25 Year Old
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First
Hibiki 30 Year Old
Hakushu 25 Year Old
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old
Category selections, 2026
Selected by the desk from the scored catalogue. No entries, no submissions, no fees.
Kirin Fuji Single Grain Whiskey
Fuji · Shizuoka (Gotemba)
“”
Hibiki 40 Year Old
Hibiki
“”
Saburomaru V The Hierophant
Saburomaru · Toyama Prefecture
“”
Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt
Hakushu · Yamanashi Prefecture
“”
Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt
Yamazaki · Osaka Prefecture
“”
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old
Yamazaki · Osaka Prefecture
“”
The Chita Single Grain
The Chita · Aichi (Chita Peninsula)
“Prior-year winner (2026 went to Fuji Single Grain).”
Nikka From The Barrel
Nikka
“Blended, 51.4%, consistently under A$100. Still the correct first answer.”
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Lagavulin · Islay
“Not Japanese. Held as the fixed external benchmark so the Japanese peated entries have something to be measured against.”
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Hibiki
“Twenty-one years of blending stock, and a decanter that survives being displayed.”
Yamazaki 18 Year Old
Yamazaki · Osaka Prefecture
“The expression we would add to a serious cellar this year, with the reasoning stated.”
Latest reviews
Long-form assessments from the Glass Guide desk — each with a considered score and companion piece on the channel.
- 92
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First
The bottle that started the craft revolution; historic and delicious.
20 Jun 2026 - 96
Hibiki 40 Year Old
Ultra-aged blending at the very edge of the possible.
18 Jun 2026 - 95
Hibiki 30 Year Old
Ultra-premium blending at its most seamless.
15 Jun 2026 - 95
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old
Mizunara at full expression; a sensory journey to a temple.
15 Jun 2026 - 93
Hakushu 18 Year Old
Mature alpine malt with cedar smoke; superb if you can find it.
08 Jun 2026 - 88
Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt
The gateway Japanese single malt — honeyed, balanced and quietly excellent.
08 Jun 2026
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