London develops thirst for Japanese whisky

Japanese whisky is having its moment in the sun in London, with a number of new restaurant openings choosing to shine a light on the spirit.

Rotisserie restaurant Bull in a China Shop opens in Shoreditch this week promising 30 different whiskies at its specialist bar, with a focus on Japanese labels.

Among the drops on offer are Karuizawa, Akashi and Ichiro, all of which will be served with hand carved ice from counter-top blocks.

House cocktail the Bos Taurus is made with Nikka whisky, maple syrup, lemon juice and grilled Asian pear, while even the rotisserie chicken is whisky-glazed.

Charcoal chicken burger at Bull in a China Shop

The restaurant has already attracted attention for its signature dish: the charcoal chicken burger featuring Panko-coated chicken thighs in a black brioche bun made from dough laced with bamboo charcoal.

Bamboo activated charcoal was used as a healing aid for stomach pain in ancient Chinese medicine, though apparently doesn’t alter the flavour of the bun.

Last month, London’s first izakaya bar, The Woodstock, opened off Oxford Street.

Based on the Japanese concept of enjoying a drink and a skewer after work, the bar boasts a dozen different Japanese whiskies, including expressions from Nikka, Suntory, Ichiro and Chichibu.

This summer, Jason Atherton will open an izakaya bar in Clerkenwell called Sosharu, which will shine a light on Japanese whisky in addition to beer and saké.

Asian fusion restaurant Bam-Bou in Fitzrovia serves over 100 different Japanese whiskies by the bottle in addition to Scotch, Irish and American whisky.

The restaurant’s Red Bar recently launched a whisky club called The Charred Society, which offers a tiered discounting system depending on the number of whiskies you’ve tried.

Members of the club receive a whisky passport and become gold patrons once they’ve tried all of the whiskies on offer, allowing them 35% off thereafter.

Hidden away in the basement of Bincho Yakitori in Old Compton Street, Mizuwari, which closed last year, was London’s original Japanese whisky bar.

Inspired by Japan’s izakayas, the bar boasted London’s largest Japanese whisky collection, with over 50 different labels on pour including rare expressions like Yamazaki bourbon barrel.