This is a whisky specialty shop in Japan. They also carry some standard options. Many foreign customers visit the shop. It may not be suitable for dates or whisky beginners, but whisky enthusiasts and foreigners would appreciate it. The restroom is decorated with labels of rare whiskies. I regret not being born earlier to enjoy those whiskies...

The master left his job about 20 years ago and has been running this authentic bar focusing on Japanese whiskey ever since. He exudes a strong sense of belief in his concept, backed by his extensive knowledge. With his fluent English skills, the bar attracts more than half of its customers from foreign tourists. I received a Hokkaido Straight for 3,000 yen from an old friend. It had a smooth and elegant sweetness with a hint of peanut aroma in the middle. While some may perceive a strong salty taste, I personally found it to be a pleasant sweetness. Visited by 44 people, rating 3.55.

I received the "Ichiro's Malt" here and it was fantastic! It had a strong aroma but was smooth and easy to drink. I ended up getting a refill. According to the staff, it was born in Chichibu, Saitama. Then, by chance, my husband received the "Ichiro's Malt & Grain Classical Edition Black Label" and we were both thrilled. The day we visited, all the other customers were foreigners, so it felt like we were on a trip. It was a happy night.

Shot Bar Zootrope @ Shinjuku A hidden bar that mainly deals with domestically produced whiskey. When I mentioned my preferred type of whiskey, I was introduced to a domestically produced whiskey with a similar nuance. I tried the "Fuji" whiskey neat. It has a high alcohol content, so it gives a burning sensation in the throat, but the whiskey has a nice aroma. It is sweet like vanilla with a hint of smokiness. It was so delicious that I felt like drinking it all without adding anything. When mixed, it becomes easier to drink and the flavor becomes more diverse. A recommended place to find your favorite whiskey! #ShotBarZootrope #Shinjuku #alcohol #whiskey #bar

This bar, with its distinctive eye logo, may not be easy to get into, but the friendly and kind master will teach you ten things after just one question, so even beginners don't need to be afraid. They have a wide selection of Japanese whiskies, with a few from overseas as well. I had fun choosing a whisky from Shizuoka prefecture based on the conversation, and the Shizuoka S had a unique taste - not too sweet but with a sweet aroma that stood out. The almonds with shells were also delicious. While they may get excited talking about movies, it doesn't feel like something you have to do.

Today on the weekend, I decided to go out for drinks in Shinjuku after a long time. I planned to go early, but due to overtime, I ended up running late. The Chinese restaurant in Kabukicho where I planned to go for my first drink was crowded, so I decided to go to a bar on an empty stomach instead. I ended up at a bar called "Zoltrop" in a mixed-use building near Shinjuku West Exit. It's located on the 4th floor of the building. As soon as you get off the elevator, you'll see the door to the bar right in front of you. The logo somehow reminds me of the manga "20th Century Boys". This bar is technically a shot bar, but it's mostly a Japanese whiskey specialty shop, so be aware of that. If you can't drink whiskey, you might not find anything to drink here. But I love whiskey, so it's not a problem for me. Surprisingly, even though it only offers Japanese whiskey (with just a few international options), there is a wide selection available. The collection has even expanded onto the counter, not just the back bar. The owner mentioned that they kept receiving new stock even during the pandemic, which is why the collection has grown so much. Although I know a fair bit about whiskey, I saw many bottles I had never seen before, so I decided to let the staff choose a drink based on the flavor profile I wanted. For my first drink, I requested something with a slightly sweet aroma, and they recommended a limited edition Mars whiskey called "Komagatake" (probably the 2021 edition). It has an alcohol content of 48%, but it was surprisingly mild with a sweet aroma, making it an easy-to-drink choice. For my second drink, I tried something unique called "Fuji Gotenba Distillery's Select". Normally, whiskey blends are determined by professional blenders at the distillery, but this one was created by the company's employees through repeated tastings. It has an alcohol content of 51%, but it goes down smoothly without a strong alcohol taste, making it easy to drink. For my last drink, I went with a smoky option, "Akashi Heavily Peated". With a phenol level of 50ppm, it is quite rare to find a strong peated Japanese whiskey. When I tried it, the smoky flavor was prominent, but it had a slightly different aroma compared to typical Islay whiskeys. Since I hadn't eaten anything, three drinks got me quite tipsy, so I decided to call it a night. The bill came out to about 5000 yen, which felt relatively cheap compared to around 8000 yen in Ginza. It was my first time here, and there are still many whiskeys I want to try, so I'll definitely come back again.

Located a little off the beaten path from the Kotaki Bridge Street in Nishi-Shinjuku 7-chome, there is a quiet bar called "ShotBar Zootrope" nestled in a mixed-use building where there are many restaurants such as ramen shops, izakayas, and Italian eateries. Inside the bar, the back bar and the counter in front are lined with a wide variety of whiskies, from popular ones to rare domestic ones, which can be overwhelming at first glance. I was so mesmerized by the selection that I almost forgot to place my order. I discovered this bar after getting into whiskies, and I used to visit it multiple times, but due to the influence of the drama "Massan" and the Japanese whisky bubble, it became crowded with foreign customers, so I stayed away for a while. I vividly remember a group of Indian gentlemen wearing turbans who once jokingly ordered "the worst drink you have" and other similar requests. Another unforgettable memory is when I saw the "Ichiro's Malt Card Series" that recently fetched high prices at an auction. I recall seeing them lined up on the counter a few years ago before the whisky boom. With all these memories in mind, I recently had the opportunity to visit "ShotBar Zootrope" with a friend who also loves whiskies. This bar offers whiskies from distilleries like "Atsugishi," "Saburomaru Distillery," and "Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery," which are not easily available to the general public. Having multiple bottles from these distilleries for comparison is quite rare and valuable. With such rare whiskies available, it's hard not to want to try a variety of them. The option to order half servings also makes it easier to enjoy a tasting flight. Even if you're not well-versed in whiskies, the knowledgeable master behind the bar will recommend something based on your preferences. As the night went on, the bar got busier with more customers. This popular spot tends to fill up quickly, so it's a good idea to inquire about availability before heading there, especially if you have a specific time in mind.

I was recommended a bar where you can learn about whiskey from the bartender, so I decided to visit. When I entered, there were two other customers, both foreigners. It seems that over 70% of the customers are from overseas, making this bar quite unique. According to the person next to me, the owner of this bar has the most knowledge when it comes to Japanese whiskey. Since I don't know much about whiskey, I asked for a recommendation. I tried "Akashi," which is aged in sake barrels. It had a smoky aroma like peat. Then I tried "Iwai," which had a sweet aroma from sherry barrels and a sharp, young impression. I personally prefer aged drinks, but I was told that aged Japanese whiskey can be quite expensive, so they only served reasonably priced brands. It seems like it would be more enjoyable to go after gaining more experience. By the way, the person next to me turned out to be an incredible elite, which was quite amusing. If you're a woman looking to meet outstanding foreigners, going to a bar like this alone might be a good idea.

It has been a very long time since I visited this bar. This is the bar where I first wanted to try Ichiro's Malt properly and it gave me the inspiration to delve into Japanese whiskey. It is a place that focuses on Japanese spirits, which is why over 80% of the customers are foreign tourists. The atmosphere used to be crowded and I couldn't get in a few times, so I stayed away for a while. However, due to the impact of the known Covid situation, the bar has undergone a complete transformation. With no inbound tourists, the bar has become incredibly cozy and enjoyable. I couldn't help but smile as a drinker. I can freely discuss various topics and have the bartender suggest drinks based on that. This interaction is the essence of a bar for me, and now is the perfect time to go and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. I don't visit with a specific drink in mind, so I pick a brand that catches my eye from the back bar. On this day, I explored offerings from Wakatsuru Shuzo and Mars Distillery. We even had a fun play comparing the taste of different materials used in the distillation of a non-commercial New Pot. By the way, I visited with a friend this day, who got into a lively conversation with the owner about monster movies from the 1960s. (Gappa the Triphibian Monster...what!?) I have a feeling my friend will be hooked on monster movies for a while now (laughs). Yes, that's right. This bar is known as a movie bar. Movie enthusiasts should definitely check it out.

I ordered "Yamazaki" at the counter. Normally, about 80% of the customers are inbound, but today there are not many. The appetizer is nuts in their shells. I had various conversations with the master for about an hour.

I had been wanting to visit this bar for a while. So, I decided to stop by on a whim. The interior of the bar was cozy, with a movie selected by the owner playing quietly on the screen. This bar is famous for its Japanese whiskey, although they also have Scotch. I took the opportunity to chat with the owner and asked for a recommendation on whiskey. The whiskey was delicious, and I was impressed by the owner's deep knowledge about whiskey. Honestly, my knowledge about whiskey was superficial until now, so it was truly eye-opening. It was a really enjoyable time. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

Located a 3-5 minute walk from Shinjuku Nishiguchi Station, Shot Bar Zothrope is a unique bar with a dark atmosphere that impresses many foreign customers. With mainly counter seats, it's easy to use when you want to have a drink alone after work. This time, we ordered popular menu items like the Gin Buck. The carefully selected gin, mixed with a dry ginger ale or fresh lemon, brought out the deliciousness of the gin. If you're looking to try a slightly deep bar, be sure to visit. Thank you for the meal!

I can't contain my excitement for the rare Japanese whiskies available.

Japanese whiskey specialty. Half shots are also available.

But, there are so many foreigners here \(//∇//)\

Japanese whiskey is abundant, but today I enjoyed a maple-flavored Canadian malt and a royal scent with mead. Why do foreigners flock to this place? It's interesting.

I went to the second bar with my junior. We tried various types of domestic whiskey. We moved to the counter seats and had a great time chatting with the master!