Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Tasted with David on 8/8/2020 Japanese. Honey, orange-y, smokey. Loved it. Lots of flavor. Need more time with it. Worth a buy.

Bright turpentine finish, some floral flavors

Very nice. High alcohol, but smooth.

N: Very subdued. Caramel and vanilla. Some sea spray saltiness. Something like tea and honey. Alcohol smell is inescapable. P: Vanilla and caramel again. Some orange zest and other citrus. Big cinnamon bite that hits late, but sticks around for a long time once it does. Maybe some chocolate and sea salt flavors. There's something funky in it too, that can't place and don't particularly like. Feels off balance - light on all but the cinnamon, almost nothing interesting on the nose, a bit boozy. Not sure if this is the same blend that won all the awards. Have to wonder how, if it is.