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A JAPANESE single malt has been anointed World Whisky of the Year by the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

The stunning and unprecedented victory should come as a “wake-up call” for Scotch distilling giants, says the famously straight-talking expert.

Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 notches a record-equalling 97.5 marks out of 100 in the planet’s most authoritative whisky guide, which hails it as “near indescribable genius”.

Murray praises the dram’s “nose of exquisite boldness” and finish of “light, teasing spice”.

At Japan’s oldest distillery, at the foot of the mountains which rise above Kyoto, the whisky was matured in Spanish sherry casks, lending it a “huge oloroso signature; nutty, thick, dry, as rounded as a snooker ball”.

The result is “a single malt which no Scotch can at the moment get anywhere near”.

Yamazaki’s offering beat off the challenges of two American rivals: bourbon William Larue Weller in second and Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old in third.

It’s the first time a Japanese whisky has landed the prestigious accolade…and never before has a Scotch failed to make the Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible final-five shortlist.

In an explosive editorial, Murray speaks of a hardcore of “astonishing” Scotches – but warns that some ‘old world’ distilleries are now beginning to churn out drab drams and mediocre malts.

After tasting more than a thousand new samples for the 2015 edition, he laments: “Where were the complex whiskies in the prime of their lives? Where were the blends which offered bewildering layers of depth?”

And the hard-hitting writer adds: “It is time for a little dose of humility…to get back to basics. To realise that something is missing.”

Keita Minari, Europe Brand Manager for Beam Suntory, which owns Yamazaki, said: “It is such an honour to be Jim Murray’s World Whisky of the Year. Sherry casks were used to age the very first Japanese whisky over 90 years ago at the distillery. It provides a strong, rich character to the whisky and a delicate sweetness.”

NEWSDESK NOTES:

       *   Other award winners: Scotch of the Year – The Last Drop 1965; Irish Whiskey – Redbreast Aged 21 Years; European Whisky – English Whisky Co. Chapter 14 Not Peated

       *   Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is available from Monday in all good book shops and online at whiskybible.com, priced £12.99.

       *   The 2015 edition contains detailed taste notes for 4,700 whiskies – including 1,145 new labels – all marked for nose, taste, finish and balance.

       *   For more information, contact Vincent Flint-Hill at Dram Good Books 0117 317 9777