Nikka Whisky From The Barrel was first launched in 1985 and has been stealing hearts ever since. Built from a marriage of malt and grain whiskies, largely drawn from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, it is bottled at a forthright 51.4% ABV because anything less would miss the point. The compact, rectangular bottle reflects its concept, "a small block of whisky", but this rich, oily expression has always punched above its size.
This product does not meet all the criteria of "Japanese whisky" defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. You can read more on our blog.
Medium-body with good balance. There are notes of cut flowers and fresh fruits, spice, and a little oak.
Full-bodied and punchy. There is plenty of winter spice and toffee, a little caramel and vanilla, and a good mouthful of fruit.
Long, warming and fruity with a little oaken spice.
For me this is same quality level with Yamazaki 18YO but much more affordable price, great value!
Got a sample to try, and from a neat pour the nose at first was overpowered with the alcohol, so any notes were confused at first. But eventually vanilla bean, custard, and a faint hint of spice and musty, wet oak came thru. The sweet toffeed palate has a healthy burn. And the finish is perfectly long and oaky, but still a little hot with a touch of grassiness at the end. Very Japanese and very enjoyable in its own right. But this dram doesn't hold the heat from the 51.4% well.
Tried this in a bar once, was my first Japanese Whisky. One of my all time favorites now, goes down like water but has a nice gentle burn after. Some great tastes.
I was fortunate to get a dram of this in an Asian Whiskey tasting. For me, the Nikka stood out above the others, I had to get myself a bottle. About 1/3 of a way through the bottle, and it's still one of my absolute favorites.
After all these years of looking down on blends I finally and gladly raise the white flag to this little stunner. I am disarmed and I willingly surrender... Marvelous.
