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.
In humble opinion, this Nikka ok, yet falls short of the comparable Scotch Malts, superior blends, etc. Fails to entice & excite my palate. Sorry, but over-priced & over-rated. Rating: 2 stars only
A really nice Whisky, superb blend, smooth but strong flavour, a class apart with good value for money.
very smooth for 51 grad, thin pleasant flavors, 1st is nice oak then some fruits very thin, like expensive anf not obsessive eau de toilette. Good to try . Will i buy it again - no, it's not stuff u want to buy again and again like Yamazaki 12, or bunnahabhain 12 or boondocks rye.
Always good bang for buck. Similar to an entry Irish whiskey and American bourbon. Other batch variations are more like Speyside and Highland whiskies.
There is some variety in the Nikka from the barrel batches. Roughly there are 3 variations, a more grainy American Bourbon x Irish style that is more vanilla nutty geared. A fuller Speyside style of cinnamon fruity. And more of a dirty Highland x Island style with cherry and peaty influences which I assume has a higher Ben Nevis content. Nose: vanilla, nail polish, fresh saw dust, new oak, creamy milky, orange juice, coffee beans and maybe some pot still species. Taste: Vanilla, creamy milky like an Irish Middleton whiskey, orange juice, mocha, dried fruit, new oak, oily, coppery. Finish: medium long, new oak, vanilla, cream, grainy, dry and dusty, some orange. Very nice and simple Irish whiskey/American bourbon style similar to Nikka coffee grain whisky but fuller.
