Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old Whisky

I've drunk a fair amount of premium Japanese whiskey, but the Nikka 17 and 21 are the real standouts. Tasted against a Yamazaki 18 and Macallan Peter Blake, I preferred the Nikka 17, so balanced, yet powerful flavours. Increasingly hard to find, but I keep a bottle in stock at all times, even though it's getting hard to find in auction.

This will be near impossible to find soon.

Nose: Spiced opal fruits...the whole range.

Palate: Cavernous sherryesque gaseous experience. Flawless.

AfteR: There is a deep mossy finish, sinking into that rotting log. Wonderful.

My wife got me a sample of this as an anniversary present 3 years ago, alongside some other pretty great whiskeys from around the world, but this one retained a special memory as my fav.

2 years ago, I had the means to bottle as a treat, but to my sadness it had been discontinued. I tried a few places around London but alas, couldn't find. Discontinued everywhere.

Then last weekend, going through Gydnia airport, Poland, and I see a whiskey and cigar shop. I'm thinking of maybe an older Glenfiddich, or other Speyside. Maybe a nice XO cognac. And just when I'm thinking if I can justify the spend, I spot it, on the top shelf, and immediately pick it up. My wife knows just how good I think this is, having heard me recount stories as it gradually got more epic over the years, and having been restrained at a Polish wedding to join her in not drinking (pregnant) she's more than happy for me to buy it as a treat. What a great wife.

I open it up at 2am in the morning when we get back home and savour the smell. It's got that subtle smoke I remember, without being too smokey for my taste. I get hints of the sherry too, again it's subtle, but it's there. I pour a dram and it looks alluring in the glass. As I taste it, the vanilla is stronger than I remember, lasting longer on the tongue. It's slightly less berries and honey than last time too, slightly less sweet.

I can't tell if this is the tiredness, the lack of memory, slight differences in the barrel, a lack of an ice cube (which I used to have, rarely have now) or my tastes changing. The next night I add a large sphere of ice and enjoy again. It helps bridge the gap, for me this is quite a powerful whiskey so a drop of water or a large cube is probably still better, but I imagine purists or those fine with peat will love it in her natural glory.

Perhaps she's a little different to the last time I saw her. But my goodness is she still incredible. Way more mature than her years, and wonderfully complex. The balance between sherry and woody and sweetness and vanilla is amazing. I will absolutely buy this over and over, I think for the £150 I've paid she's the best there is.

The best whiskey I’ve ever had.

£88 May 2014 (Paris CDG airport)
£190 April 2019 (Greenwellystop)

Doubled in price in 5 years. And it wasnt that special 5 years ago....

The only whiskey drinkers that would not appreciate this amazing blend are those too loyal to their own national brands or whiskies. Park your scotch, rye or bourbon brain at home and sip this unattached to price, location, or surroundings.
Tak.17 is dreamy and memorable.

After having, for years, tasted quite a lot of excellent Japanse whiskies , I suddenly "stumbled" on to this Nikka Masataka Taktetsuru Pure Malt 17 year old. I was quite taken aback! This is so near perfection, a whisky bringing a man so close to Paradise. To taste this beverage can only match the ultimate feeling, when the very keen bird watcher is getting the uniqe chance to actually watch the rare "Spoonbilled Sandpiper" (Calidris pygmea). Heaven closes in – and life is at it´s very best.

Dissapointed. Had a sip of nikka yoichi and suddenly understood whisky. I found a bottle of this and found it inferior. I'm not a whisky buff, but couldn't get into this. It's ok but doesn't draw me in.

Very good balanced palate, spicy enough and long smooth and dry finish. Easy to drink and a good drum.
There are much more value for money alternatives though.

A truly unique whiskey, tastes absolutely beautiful, the complex flavour long lasting in the mouth very rounded completely magnificent, a drink not to be hurried only to be fully enjoyed by oneself (friends drink it too fast)
Truly one of mankind's perfect gifts.