The Chita Japanese Whisky Review for the Philippines: Pros and Cons After Testing
Suntory's The Chita Japanese Whisky is crafted as a slightly premium option designed for whisky beginners. It’s known for its smooth and approachable profile, making it an easy entry point for those new to whisky.
To see how it really performs, we compared The Chita Japanese Whisky with other popular beginner-friendly whiskies through actual tasting tests. We evaluated each product based on drinkability and overall flavor. If you’re considering trying it, this review will help you decide.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
Table of Contents
- Conclusion: Smooth, Light, and Beginner-Friendly — A Great First Japanese Whisky
- What Is The Chita Whisky?
- A Design That Reflects Japanese Craftsmanship
- Easy Ways to Enjoy Whisky: Try It With Soda or Water
- What We Discovered After Tasting The Chita Japanese Whisky
- Balanced Alcohol Taste With a Light, Easy-to-Drink Feel
- Low Bitterness and a Flavor That’s Great Over Ice
- The Chita Japanese Whisky Details
- Where to Buy The Chita Japanese Whisky in the Philippines
- What Food Pairs Well With The Chita Japanese Whisky?
- Check Out More Japanese Whiskies From Suntory
Conclusion: Smooth, Light, and Beginner-Friendly — A Great First Japanese Whisky
In short, Suntory's The Chita Whisky is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into whisky, especially Japanese whisky. In our tasting test with 10 participants who are not used to drinking alcohol, more than half said it was easy to drink. Compared to other whiskies that felt strong or harsh, it stood out for having a balanced alcohol presence that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
It has a sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of banana, along with a light and smooth mouthfeel. Testers shared positive feedback such as “not too heavy and easy to drink” and “very little harshness.” While some whiskies in the test had strong spice or overpowering aromas, Chita stays true to its concept as a beginner-friendly option.
That said, because it has very little smokiness or bitterness, some experienced whisky drinkers may find it slightly too light or slightly lacking in depth. Still, its clean and easy-drinking profile makes it appealing, especially for those who prefer something smooth. Some testers even mentioned that they’d enjoy it on the rocks or mixed with soda for a highball.
Beyond its lightness, it also has a subtle layered character that adds a bit of depth. Whether you want something to sip casually or enjoy more slowly, it fits a wide range of drinking styles. If you’re unsure where to start with whisky, this is a safe and approachable option to try.
What Is The Chita Whisky?
Whisky is a distilled spirit made from grains such as barley and wheat. There are different types, including malt whisky made from barley and grain whisky made from ingredients like corn or rye, each with its own flavor profile.
Suntory's The Chita Whisky is a grain whisky made primarily from corn. According to the official brand, it’s known for its light taste and smooth, clean finish, making it easy to enjoy even for beginners.
A Design That Reflects Japanese Craftsmanship
As a Japanese whisky designed to suit a wide range of palates, Chita also reflects a strong sense of Japanese aesthetics in its packaging.
The label features the name “Chita” written in calligraphy by renowned calligrapher Tansetsu Ogino. It uses traditional washi paper, while the deep indigo lines on the cap seal are designed to evoke a light, flowing breeze.
It is mainly available in a 700mL bottle in the Philippines.
Easy Ways to Enjoy Whisky: Try It With Soda or Water
There are many ways to enjoy whisky, depending on your preference. If you’re not used to alcohol, you can dilute it with ice or water to make it smoother and easier to drink. If you want to fully experience the aroma and flavor, you can also try it straight.
Since the alcohol strength changes depending on how it’s served, it’s a good idea for beginners to start with a highball (whisky mixed with soda water) or whisky with water. These options are lighter and more approachable, making them a great starting point.
What We Discovered After Tasting The Chita Japanese Whisky
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
For this review, we compared Suntory The Chita Japanese Whisky with other popular beginner-friendly whiskies. All products were prepared and evaluated through actual tasting tests.
We assessed each whisky based on the following criteria:
- Drinkability
- Flavor (Overall Taste)
Balanced Alcohol Taste With a Light, Easy-to-Drink Feel
First, we evaluated drinkability.
Ten testers who are not used to drinking alcohol (both men and women) participated in the test. They focused on how strong the alcohol felt upon the first sip and rated each product accordingly.
43% ABV, But Surprisingly Light on Alcohol Feel
In our test, 6 out of 10 participants said they were satisfied with how easy it was to drink. While it has an alcohol content of 43%, which is relatively high compared to other options, many testers described it as having a “just right” strength and noted that the alcohol doesn’t feel too strong. Because it’s not overly sharp or intense, it’s approachable even for those who aren’t used to stronger drinks.
Whisky can develop a smoky aroma when peat is used during the drying process of the grains. Although this product is also made using peat, none of the testers found the smokiness noticeable.
Compared to other whiskies in the test that had a strong smoky character and were harder to drink, this one stood out for its clean and mild profile. Testers described it as “smooth with very little harshness” and even “slightly sweet, and tea-like.” Combined with the light and crisp nature typical of grain whisky, it’s easy to sip without feeling heavy.
Tester Feedback on Drinkability:
- “It’s sweet and has very little harshness.” (Male, 40s)
- “Even people who aren’t used to alcohol could enjoy this.” (Female, 30s)
- “I could drink a fair amount of this even on the rocks.” (Female, 20s)
Sweet, Fruity Aroma With No Smokiness
As expected from its profile, many testers described the aroma as fruity with a gentle sweetness. Among the whiskies we compared, those with sweeter and fruitier notes tended to be easier for beginners to enjoy, and this one was no exception.
In terms of richness, it has a clean and light mouthfeel, with little to no smokiness or heaviness. While those who prefer bold, full-bodied whiskies may find it a bit too mild, similar to reviews that describe it as “lacking depth,” none of the beginner testers expressed dissatisfaction.
When you let it linger on the palate, you can still notice subtle layers of flavor. This gives it a delicate complexity that goes beyond just being light. Whether you want something easy to sip or take your time with, it works well in both situations.
Tester Feedback on Richness:
- “It has a nice level of richness.” (Female, 20s)
- “Not too heavy, which makes it just right.” (Female, 30s)
- “It felt a bit light.” (Male, 40s)
Low Bitterness and a Flavor That’s Great Over Ice
Next, we evaluated overall flavor.
The same 10 testers continued the tasting and reviewed the whisky based on their personal preferences for taste and aroma. All samples were served at room temperature in glasses to ensure a fair evaluation.
Gently Sweet Flavor With a Clean, Refreshing Finish
In our test, 8 out of 10 participants said it tasted good. It has a clean finish, making it easy to drink even on the rocks. Many testers noted its noticeable sweetness and low bitterness, with comments like “easy to enjoy even for beginners.”
Compared to other whiskies in the test that had a strong bitter taste, this one stood out for its approachable sweetness. Some even described it as having a dessert-like quality, making it especially appealing for those new to whisky.
Tester Feedback on Flavor:
- “It’s quite sweet and easy to drink, even for beginners.” (Female, 20s)
- “It’s not too harsh or bitter, and could be enjoyed all night when mixed with soda.” (Female, 30s)
- “You can still enjoy a balanced level of bitterness along with the whisky aroma.” (Male, 40s)
The Chita Japanese Whisky Details
Where to Buy The Chita Japanese Whisky in the Philippines
Suntory's The Chita Whisky is available in the Philippines mainly through online platforms like Lazada and Shopee, where several liquor retailers and authorized sellers carry the product. You may also find it in specialty liquor stores and select high-end supermarkets, although availability can vary by location.
At the time of writing, the price typically ranges from around ₱3,900 to ₱4,700 for a 700mL bottle, depending on the seller, stock availability, and ongoing promotions. Prices may fluctuate since it’s an imported whisky, so it’s worth comparing listings before purchasing.
What Food Pairs Well With The Chita Japanese Whisky?
Because of its light and smooth profile, Suntory's The Chita Whisky pairs well with lightly seasoned dishes that won’t overpower its delicate flavor.
It goes especially well with Filipino dishes like tinola, grilled chicken, or simple steamed fish, as these highlight the whisky’s subtle sweetness while keeping the overall taste balanced. These types of dishes also help refresh the palate, making it easier to continue sipping.
For a more casual pairing, it also works well with nuts, crackers, or lightly seasoned snacks. The mild, slightly sweet flavor of the whisky complements these simple foods without clashing.
Check Out More Japanese Whiskies From Suntory
Suntory has a range of high-quality whiskies from Japan, each with its own unique flavor. Each can add their own uniqueness to your whisky collection.