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.
Sitting in a Ryokan in Shibu Onsen it tastes pretty good to me. I bought this on impulse in Nagano on our way here and first sip confirms what great value this drop is. For an unaged bottling it really does have a character you'd associate with much more expensive Japanese whisky and I'll be bringing more of this home with me if i can find it again .
Color: Golden Nose: Sweet, honey, apples, melon, liquorice, mint, chocolate Palate: After brushing teeth: dry/sweet entry, light, hints of fruity aroma, liquorice, spicy, lemon Finish: Slightly bitter, sweet, long and warm Although 500ml bottle is a little small, 51% makes up for some of it. Good whisky neat without any water added, flavors are complex, lots of oak and fruit, honey. Very spicy even after having it sits for 30min. great whisky to sip on with a long finish, can savor of the flavor long after swallowing.
Excellent value for money. A truly exceptional scotch that rivals highland park 18. Higher ABV with a very pleasant flavour profile.
This is about as good as affordable blends get, but the real star of the Nikka line-up is, alas, not on your site. Their Yoichi single malt 500ml, which I filled up my suitcase with on the way back from Japan last year is spectacularly good - drinkable everyday without ever getting tired of it.... And for around AUD65 thanks to low taxes, it's truly sinful.
I tried it at a house party and went to buy two 500ml bottles of it. It is a like Cognac crossing over a *VERY fruity Speyside. Stewed apple/pear with a hint of orange in a syrup; some floral, spices, vanilla/bubble gum on the side. Overall, For $51 CAD it is value-for-money, solid, and great if you want a Speyside but more fruity and *decisively differnt*.
