The 12 year old variant of Nikka's incredible range of blended malts, named after the company's founder, Masataka Taketsuru. Very good indeed.
Floral and balanced, with notes of plum jam, cut herbs, rhubarb pie, vanilla ice cream and cold coffee.
Sweet and oily, apple cider, cinnamon sticks, buttery toffee, almond, salty butter, custard.
Good length, creamy, notes of digestive biscuit and rhubarb crumble.
The local store had a tasting today of this and other whiskey. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased a bottle on the spot. Who knew that the Japanese could do such a great whiskey. Oh, and never mix it with anything(save a cube or two).
Really nothing of special... is a discrete vatted whisky suitable especially for the mixing (with the soda works well). Enough not recommended... The Nikka "from the barrel" is less expensive and more delicious at least of one point.
Your tasting notes are spot on; although, I feel that apple fruit and cinnamon are prevalent in the nose and on the palate. The finish with its malt/digestive note rounds the taste making it a spicy apple pie. A pleasure from start to finish. The Japanese have made a superb whisky here. highly recommended. Leigh H
