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.
This is a complex and demanding whisky. The nose entices with clove, lemon, satsuma, and honey. The palate mixes ginger, oak, vanilla, toffee, and blackcurrant. The finish is very long, with clove, black pepper, and fruity sweetness. The character of this whisky changes significantly with a little air, too. It softens and sweetens. Nikka is a new favourite!
Nose: Treacle toffee, Icing sugar, Golden syrup, orange zest, dried fruit, apricot, a hint of smoke, buttermilk, some black tea and coffee. Palate: Toffee, vanilla, honey, cocoa, mixed fruit preserves, Jam tarts, some cinnamon, orange fruit juice and some creamy notes. Finish: A long and initially sweet finish with notes of almond, oak, some pepper spice and crisp fruit which turns increasingly dry into the close.
Four of us compared this creation to the first half of the premium whisky calendar, so far it's got second place. I also like the shape of the compact bottle.
I bought this for a song in Tokyo, but it's worth searching out at the slightly higher price it's sold for abroad (MoM's pricing is pretty good, IMO). A high ABV blend that showcases good, inexpensive Japanese whisky. I'd also suggest that the idiosyncratic, miminalist bottling means this works well as a gift option.
So well made that you would think you are drinking a 40 percent whisky. Smooth, powerful and delicious. Should be ten times the price. Amazing
