Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Caramel, cedar, mild smoke, iodine, heavy body, strong alcohol aroma.

I wish I'd had the sample reviewed by the pro staff, because mine is most emphatically not that! Nose is faint, primarily vegetal with just a whiff of smoke. Palate is prickly pear and lightly carameled apple, with a very pleasant novacaine numbness from start to finish. Very light, very fruity, and not much else. Finish is clean and dry, with a splash of oak and maybe if I think about it hard enough, some cedar. Altogether this is a pleasant drink, and I'm glad I bought a bottle. But, I doubt I'll buy another.

Almond and marzipan with hints of orange on the nose gives way to a hit of menthol which fades to garden mint.

Nose - vanilla, slight burn on the nose, I don't get much here Taste - peppery spices, then a peaty follow through Finish - peat lingers here but not too strong, I get a flavor that resembles just smoking a cigar Score - 4.25, complex and fun drink Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Quite a subtle nose, hard to find the flavours through the alcohol vapours. Sometimes it’s easy to find sometimes it’s too strong! Taste is not as floral for Japan, oak mainly and a sharp taste being a high ABV. Solid dram however!

The only whisky, I always buy a new bottle. The taste is very complex, every time I drink it something new pops up. The price is reasonable.