Tokyo Whisky Tastings(2)

Highly recommend this whisky tour for anyone interested in checking out the golden gai area and looking for a non touristy unique tasting. Our expectations were exceeded. Ryo & Takako went above and beyond to make the tasting enjoyable. This was one of our favorite and unique experiences during our week in Tokyo. 10/10

I spent nearly two weeks in Tokyo, with so many amazing experiences, but the very best one came on my final full day, when I had my private whiskey tasting with Ryo. Along with her assistants Momo and Madoka, Ryo met me at the train station, first taking me on a lovely tour of the nearby Hanazono Shrine on our way to the bar. Tucked away on the second floor of a building in the iconic Golden Gai district, Ryo’s bar has a wonderful elegant, simple design. And she pulled out all the stops, even going so far as to ask for a list of my favorite music, days in advance. (Which is how I found myself enjoying some of the very best Japanese whiskeys while listening to Velvet Underground, Charles Mingus, Talking Heads and more.) The flight she’d curated was, in a word, perfect. I won’t say what the whiskeys are, as I’m guessing the flights will evolve over time, but suffice it to say, the progression of whiskeys were exceptionally well planned — treating me to a wonderful display, chiseling a round ice sphere from a cube along the way. The flights were served with the perfect bites, including cheese, nuts, fruit and chocolates, each complimenting the flight in their own way. Included in the menu were a wonderful savory soup and maybe the best onigiri I had on my trip. (Altogether, quite filling.) If you truly appreciate both whiskey and unparalleled service, this is for you. And I can tell you without question, I will never forget this experience.