Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

The blend combines both single malt and grain whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, which are then married in a huge variety of casks, including bourbon barrels, sherry butts and refill hogsheads. N: fresh and vibrant. Juicy fruit, vanilla, malt and oak. P: malty biscuit, winter spices, toffee, more mouth filling juicy fruits. There is a gentle viscosity to the palate that is sublime. F: medium. Oaky warmth, rye like spice. Undoubtedly the best Japanese whisky for the price (at least in Australia). A shy whisky that given time and patience has plenty to offer. Imagine taking some bourbon, rye, and a malty scotch, marrying them together in a sherry cask and you might come close to what this is. Probably doesn’t sound good, but the reality is, this is so well done everything is delicately balanced and well put together. Distiller whisky taste #60

Aroma is short bread cookies with butter and toffee notes. Flavor is almond cookies, short bread, a hint of ozone, and perhaps a light smoke in the finish.

Wow! As I was developing my taste for whiskey many moons ago, I came across Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey and was not a fan. At all. I discounted Nikka whiskies in general from that experience. Fast forward a few years and I got the opportunity to try a taste of Nikka Whiksy From The Barrel. I liked it so much that I purchased a bottle of my very own. The nose gives me some sweetness bundled in with peat smoke. Not often I get to enjoy a whiskey with a complex NOSE. The taste is savory and sweet. There's a hint of caramel, then you pick up just the slightest bit of red fruit from the sherry butts. Not overwhelming and if you weren't aware of the cask type.. you may not even notice it. The finish reminds me of a deeper, more complex Blue Label. As the sweetness fades into the distance, savory peat smoke dances on your tongue. You know... I'm not one for blended whiskies. But man.... if there are more like Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, I may become a convert.

Lots of wood and oak. Notes of toffee. Spice. Flavors right in line with a smoky finish I didn’t pick up in the nose at all.