Best: Overall

Rating: 9/10

• ABV: 40%
• Size: 70cl

Named after the Hatozaki lighthouse (Japan’s oldest), this whisky certainly shone like a beacon among our selection. The rounded, tapered bottle with traditional script on its label looks elegant before you even open the top, and the liquid inside smells like lemon cheesecake (no, really). From the Kaikyo distillery in Akashi City, Hyogo, this blend is sweet, light and fruity, recalling spring days and warm evenings. It’s moreish and biscuity, but spicy enough to make a real impact. Excellent value for money too.

Best: For variety

Rating: 8/10

• ABV: 43.4%
• Size: 5 x 30ml

Obviously, as a tasting set, this doesn’t technically qualify as a single whisky. Yet, it’s an ingenious place to start if you’re looking for a sure-to-please gift for a whisky lover, or want to learn more about Japanese blends in one easy swoop. The neat box contains five 30ml samples of award-winning varieties, including the classic Nikka days (light and lemony, with apple and shortbread notes), Nikka super rare old (rich and warm, with toffee and pear) and the Mars maltage “cosmo” (fresh and tangy, with vanilla and citrus). The tasting notes are an excellent, helpful addition for anyone looking to finetune their senses and get a feel for a high-end array of solid Japanese varieties.

Best: For Japanese whisky novices

Rating: 8/10

• ABV: 45%
• Size: 70cl

From the Miyagikyo distillery in the Miyagi prefecture, Tōhoku, under the classic Nikka brand, this single malt is known as an “entry-level” whisky, that nonetheless packs a peppery punch. We found it to have a light scent with a hint of honey, cinnamon and apple, which gave way to a smoky, floral flavour with a surprisingly powerful and warming gingery aftertaste and a fresh, fruity finish. The deep amber bottle adds a subtle sophistication that nods to the single malt’s maturation in ex-sherry casks, but the liquid itself is delicate enough to please even the newest of whisky drinkers, as well as a more seasoned pro.

Best: For an after-dinner drink

Rating: 9/10

• ABV: 46%
• Size: 70cl

This whisky’s quirky name belies the deep history of its heritage. One half hails from the Chichibu distillery, which was built in 2007 by Japanese whisky “rockstar” Ichiro Akuto. The other comes from the nearby, now-closed but legendary Hanyu distillery, founded by the Akuto family in the 1600s (yes, a colossal 400 years ago). With a noticeable smoky scent and initial sweetness, the blend results in a supremely drinkable whisky that would work particularly well as a special evening treat, with a super-smooth mouthfeel and pleasing hints of caramel and hazelnut on the finish.

Best: For sophisticated palates

Rating: 8/10

• ABV: 43%
• Size: 70cl

A new release for this year, this single-grain whisky is aged in wine and Spanish oak as well as American white oak casks, which explains this drink’s mild flavour and luxurious golden colour.  A classic bottle design gives way to a surprisingly smoky scent, which reminded us of toffee apples eaten while huddled around a November bonfire. With a smooth mouthfeel and a warm aftertaste that lingers with a touch of bitter lemon zest, this single grain is noticeably less sweet than other varieties we tested, giving it sophisticated appeal for those who prefer a sharper, sleeker drink.

Best: For a real taste of Japan

Rating: 9/10

• ABV: 43%
• Size: 70cl

Bottled in impressive, imposing packaging with deep green hues designed to (we like to think) recall the forests surrounding the Hakashu distillery in the southern Japanese Alps, this whisky from famous brand Suntory does not disappoint. Forest pine trees can almost be found in the flavour, which is fresh and minty, light on the palate and uplifting to taste. Smoke lingers like a bonfire trail in autumn, and we felt as though we’d taken a deep lungful of mountain air on a bracing hike (without the pesky detail of actually having to leave the living room). It’s also available at a very fair price for such a memorable single malt.

Best: For a lighter flavour

Rating: 8/10

• ABV: 40%
• Size: 70cl

Originally from the Chugoku Jozo distillery near Hiroshima, this blend takes its name from the town of Togouchi, where abandoned railway tunnels offer the perfect conditions for whisky ageing. So far so mysterious, and we fancy we can sense a little of that history in the impressive silver-and-gold-labelled bottle (well, almost), including a gloriously peaty scent and an inviting hint of dark chocolate. At 40% ABV, this whisky is slightly lighter than some, but no less compelling for it, managing to combine a serious hit of peat with a floral sweetness in an intriguing package for a great price.