Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Pure Malt

An elegant, pure malt Whisky (formerly vatted malt), which means it’s a blend of malt Whiskies from different distilleries. & in the case of Taketsuru, that means a blend of the Yoichi & Miyagikyo distilleries. It has an oaky birth with notes of prunes & soy sauce, cocoa, espresso beans, a touch of anise, caramel, fruit, milk chocolate, coffee, chamomile, pineapple, sweet sherry monster; while a rich life adds notes of sherry monster, figs, chamomile, bitter & coffee, black pepper & hints of turmeric, ginger, mixed peels, hints of marmalade; that led to a long & rich death with notes of oak spice. September 2017 / April / June 2018 / August 2022

Light, with a lingering tounge tip fire.

2020 Release Nose - Bold baked apples, toasted oak, poached pears, caramel, burnt sugar Taste - Bold baked apples, toasted barley, toasted oats, dusty oak barrels in a warehouse, gentle tannic oak, whole wheat toasted brioche? Finish - Lingering toasted malt, baked apples, dark chocolate, almonds Score - 90/100 Final Thoughts - Although this is considered a "pure malt" I'm curious if there's really any Yoichi in this as I don't really get any peated influence at all and I'm curious if there is any Ben Nevis in this blend. Regardless, this isn't the most exciting whisky, but what's there is really well balanced and drinks exceptionally easy. Nice nose for the proof and no real off putting notes from start to finish. Definitely has that "older whisky" vibe that's hard to really put into words, but it's just something your tongue tells you as you drink it. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe Would I buy a bottle? - Not at current prices NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

Red apple and vanilla custard nose, light; baked apples, stone fruit, ume, and vanilla; thick and with a little spice; quick finish with apple pie with a little baking spice