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.
Has everything one would want in a proper whisky; it's sweet, salty, fruity, bitter, and little smokey. The balance between these flavours is absolutely superb. It hits not just the tip or the side of your tongue, it attacks the whole damned muscle. It's a hell of a dram and there's only one word that can define properly: UMAMI!
So, I've been a whisky drinker for years, and it's easy to get caught up between Scotch and a bourbon flavoured liquor. There's a clear difference between Nikka and other whiskys, maybe Its the price point, it is a very high quality drop. The flavours are smooth, warm caramel with a rose scent, delivers a smooth, vanilla palet that takes you a journey from first sip to the last. I've mixed Nikka with cola, stired between sips with a spoon.. for some strange reason beyond my expertise the drink turns to a light brown colour which is in between cola and whisky more towards the bottom end of the glass. I mix the single barrel Nikka with ice cubes as with all my whiskys and the journey is worth telling my story
My favourite blended, a smooth all rounder, with punch and character.
From the outset, you can smell it's slightly stronger than usual. It's a proper punch of flavour. Slightly unrefined but still plenty to offer. It's spicy in the mouth and certainly not like a smooth malt. The finish lasts into the middle of next week. This is my first Japanese whisky and I will certainly buy more. It's a fun drink to be enjoyed with friends. Not a quiet contemplator.
Sadly this is not as good as it was 2 years ago. The whiskey tastes very very young. This used to be my favorite go-to whiskey. I hope my bottle mellows in the coming months as it oxidizes...
