With the whisky boom, many up-and-coming brands have appeared. One brand that is garnering attention as a new star among the world's whisky brands is "Bhasker."
Busker is a whiskey born in Ireland that has gained popularity for its high cost performance and familiar taste . It comes in colorful labels such as green, blue, and red , and each has its own unique characteristics.
Here we will explore the appeal of buskers.
What types of buskers are there?
"I want to know the price and taste of Busker."
If you are interested in this, please refer to this article.
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BASKA is a popular whiskey that offers great value for money.
Busker is a popular brand of Irish whiskey.
BUSKER is an Irish whiskey produced by Royal Oak Distillery. In Japan, it is officially imported and sold by Whisk Wee.
Irish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland, and is attractive because it is lighter and easier to drink than Scotch. A major feature of Irish whiskey is that it is distilled three times without burning peat .
In contrast, Scotch from Scotland is often peated and distilled twice, so Irish whiskey is lighter, has fewer impurities, and has a smoother taste .
Busker is a whiskey made in accordance with the traditional Irish whiskey brewing methods. Its flavor, made using Irish methods, is fruity and tropical .
It has an approachable flavor even for those who don't like strong whiskeys, and is definitely one of the whiskeys that we can recommend to beginners.
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Debuted in 2020 and quickly attracted attention
A series that makes you want to drink highballs when it gets hot🫠
— Fumin (@hachochacha3131) April 28, 2024
Today I'm going to introduce Busker's Green, which Chanpon Chikara introduced a few years ago as the best tasting whiskey you can buy for around 2000 yen.
I saw it again and bought it immediately 🥰👍 #BUSKER pic.twitter.com/QMbBPgxA9i
Busker is already a staple brand among whiskey lovers, but it actually has a short history, having only been released in 2020. The distillery only began operations in 2016, making it a fairly recent addition to the whiskey world.
It arrived in Japan in 2021 , and has since become available in many liquor stores and mass retailers. Even now, the classic BASKA bottle is still a familiar presence, and it continues to be popular as a casual and enjoyable whiskey.
One of the reasons why BASKA has become so popular is its high cost performance . We will go into more detail later, but BASKA is a whiskey that can be purchased for around 2,000 to 3,000 yen , and it has become a hot topic for being high quality yet affordable.
In particular, in recent years, as the prices of Scotch whisky and Japanese whisky have skyrocketed, there has been demand for Busker, which can be enjoyed at an affordable price, as a daily whisky .
Another reason for the boom is that it was featured by many influencers on social media and YouTube.
It is especially popular as a highball.
Busker is especially popular as a highball, as it is easy to drink, a characteristic of Irish whiskey, and has a rich aroma that does not get lost even when mixed.
As whiskey prices continue to rise, this drink has become popular because it can be easily enjoyed at home as a highball. The flavor of the Busker is tropical and perfect for those who like fruity highballs .
In addition, Busker's highballs are easy to drink and have little distinctive flavor, so you can enjoy them by making different variations.
You can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as adding lemon or mint to your taste, or chilling the whole bottle in the freezer to enjoy its smooth texture.
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About the Royal Oak Distillery
The key to individuality is the brewing of different raw liquors and the use of different barrels.
Royal Oak Distillery began operations in 2016. It is located in Carlow, in the eastern part of Ireland.
Royal Oak Distillery is capable of producing three types of whisky - Single Malt, Single Pot Still and Single Grain - making it unique in Ireland and a very rare distillery feature.
The "Basker" released by Royal Oak Distillery also comes in a variety of bottle types, including single malt and single pot still, allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors due to the different methods used. Since the distillery is still new, there is a possibility that they will produce other whiskeys in the future.
Another point is that at Royal Oak Distillery, whiskey is made in luxurious barrels, including sherry and bourbon casks as well as Marsala wine casks . Sherry casks are called butts, which are about 500 liters, while bourbon and Marsala wine casks are called barrels, which are about 200 liters.
While sherry and bourbon barrels are used for many whiskeys, Marsala wine barrels are a bit more unusual , and they are what give BASKA its distinctive tropical taste and flavor.
The current lineup consists of four types
There are currently four different busker lineups.
- Busker Irish Whiskey ...Green Label
- Busker Single Malt ...Blue label
- Busker Single Grain ...Red label
- Busker Single Pot Still ...Grey Label
Each one has a different color label and is called "green busker," "blue busker," "red busker," "gray busker," etc.
By knowing the characteristics of each, you will be able to find a busker that suits your taste.
Midori Busker is an easy-to-drink blended whiskey.
Product name | Busker Irish Whiskey |
---|---|
type | Blended Whisky |
raw materials | Malt and Grain |
Cask | Bourbon barrels, sherry barrels, Marsala wine barrels |
Alcohol content | 40% |
The most standard of the Busker range is the green one. Sold under the name "Busker Irish Whiskey", this bottle is a blended whiskey made by mixing malt and grain whiskey .
It is a luxurious blend made using three types of barrels: bourbon, sherry, and Marsala wine, and has a very tropical flavor. Compared to typical Irish whiskey, it has a higher ratio of single malt and single pot still, which makes it attractive for you to enjoy the strong flavor derived from the malt .
The aroma is dominated by tropical fruits, with hints of plum, vanilla, honey, etc. The taste is smooth and creamy with a hint of malt.
This whiskey has nuances of dark chocolate, toffee fudge, and cinnamon. It is very easy to drink and has a luxurious feel despite being in an affordable price range .
Blue Busker is a high-value single malt whisky
Product name | Busker Single Malt |
---|---|
type | Malt whiskey |
raw materials | malt |
Cask | Bourbon and sherry casks |
Alcohol content | 44.3% |
Blue Busker is a single malt whiskey made only from malt whiskey, without any grain whiskey. It has an alcohol content of 44.3%, which is slightly higher than Green Busker.
The malt produced by triple distillation, a feature of Ireland, has a strong malt flavor but is easy to drink. This whisky is a well-balanced blend of bourbon and sherry cask malts .
The appeal of Blue Busker is its juicy and gorgeous green apple-like aroma, with hints of elderflower, banana, malted biscuits and spices.
The soft mouthfeel brings out the flavors of pear and apple, followed by caramel cashew nuts, cinnamon, and rich chocolate. The aftertaste is sweet and creamy, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness for a long time.
Red Busker is a light grain whiskey.
Product name | Busker Single Grain |
---|---|
type | Grain whiskey |
raw materials | Grain |
Cask | Bourbon barrels, Marsala barrels |
Alcohol content | 44.3% |
Red Busker is a single grain whiskey that does not contain malt. Although it is red, it is not a flashy red, but rather has a slightly dull red label.
This whisky focuses on the grain that is the raw material of Busker, and has a unique taste that is different from Green and Blue. It is a grain whisky that is said to have less of a distinctive flavor compared to malt whisky, and is perfect for those looking for a sweet and light whisky .
The raw materials are corn and malt, and the raw liquor is a well-balanced blend of bourbon barrels and Marsala wine barrels. This one also has an alcohol content of 44.3%, which is slightly higher than Midori Busker.
The pale straw-colored liquid gives off a sweet caramel-like aroma, vanilla and oak aroma. When you put it in your mouth, you can taste the caramel, vanilla and oak nuances from the Marsala barrels, and the dry yet long-lasting sweetness lingers on your tongue.
Ash Busker is a rare single pot still whiskey
Product name | Busker Single Pot Still |
---|---|
type | Single Pot Still Whisky |
raw materials | Barley, malt |
Cask | Bourbon and sherry casks |
Alcohol content | 44.3% |
Grey label busker is a single pot still whiskey.
Pot still whisky is a type of whisky unique to Ireland that is not usually made in Scotch or Japanese whisky . It is made from unmalted barley in addition to malt, and is distilled three times in a pot still.
The single pot still whiskey, which is mixed with the flavor of grains, has a unique oily and complex taste. The Ash Busker also has a luxurious finish, with a floral scent like perfume, and the aroma of honey flowers and honey.
After the nuances of spices such as oak, fudge, and cloves spread, the flavors of toffee, vanilla, black pepper, etc. spread luxuriously. It is not only sweet but also spicy, and the aftertaste is impressive with its complex and warmth.
Limited edition small batch single pot stills
Product name | Busker Small Batch Single Pot Still |
---|---|
type | Single Pot Still Whisky |
raw materials | Barley, malt |
Cask | Bourbon and sherry casks |
Alcohol content | 46.3% |
Busker has four standard bottles, but they have also released limited editions in the past, one of which is the "Small Batch" single pot still whiskey.
This is a rare product that was aged in first-fill bourbon barrels, then further matured in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled in small batches . This bottle has an alcohol content of 46.3%, which is higher than the regular product.
Regarding the change to the new label and the price increase! What is the list price of Busker?
Busker new label‼️
— Keichim@GRsupra (@keichimA90) August 31, 2024
Blue MALT followed by red GRAIN and grey POT
STILL got it~🤩
Compare the old and new 😋🥃 pic.twitter.com/AiZ1RUW5qb
Busker continues to be popular, but from late July 2024, the designs of the three bottles - Blue Busker, Red Busker, and Gray Busker - will be changed .
The previous bottle was marked with a large "BUSKER" logo on the screw cap. In contrast, the Busker bottles shipped from late July 2024 will be changed to a more substantial bottle with a cork. The stopper has been changed and the logo design has been made smaller and more stylish .
Only the green busker remains in the old bottle.
Bottle Type | Old price | New Price |
---|---|---|
Busker Irish Whiskey 700ml | 2,420 yen (tax included) | No label change |
Busker Single Malt 700ml | 2,970 yen (tax included) | 3,520 yen (tax included) |
Basker Single Grain 700ml | 2,970 yen (tax included) | 3,520 yen (tax included) |
Busker single pot still 700ml | 2,970 yen (tax included) | 3,520 yen (tax included) |
In addition, with the change to the new design, the prices of Buskars have been revised.
The actual selling price varies depending on the shop, but there can be a price increase of nearly 1,000 yen between the old and new labels, so you need to be careful when purchasing.
Even though the price has gone up, Busker is still a great value whiskey. Some shops are selling it for less than the suggested retail price, so be sure to look around.
Buskers aren't sold here! Where can I buy one, like at Yamaya or Donki?
While Busker is an affordable, approachable whiskey, some reviews say it's not for sale.
In fact, the rarity of buskers varies depending on their color. The standard green busker is relatively common in many stores, but red and gray buskers are hard to come by and are highly valuable .
The regular green busker can be found at liquor stores, supermarkets, and even convenience stores. Blue buskers are also relatively easy to find at shops that sell a lot of whiskey.
However , please note that the red and grey Buskers are only available for a limited time, so you will need to be on time to get them . If you want to get your hands on one at all costs, be sure to check liquor stores regularly.
Reports of Busker purchases have been posted at the following shops:
- Liquor stores like Yamaya
- Mass retailers like Don Quijote
- Bic Camera's liquor section
- Large shopping malls such as Aeon
You may also be able to find buskers online, although the price may be higher.
If you don't have a store near you that sells buskers, consider purchasing one online.
summary
Busker's whiskey has become a big hit because it can be purchased for around 3,000 yen and is of high quality. With its tropical aroma and easy-to-drink flavor unique to Irish whiskey, it is a brand that can be recommended to a wide range of generations.
Busker currently has four standard bottles: green, blue, red, and gray. Each color contains a different type of whiskey , so be sure to compare them all.
The red and grey Buskers in particular are rare bottles that are not widely available. Prices have been rising in recent years, so if you're interested, now is your chance.
Why not take this opportunity to try the Irish whiskey "Basker"?
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