Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Fresh citrusnose almost like a brandy. Bigger wood on flavor. Full and hot mouthfeel diluted is best

Nose: Initially heavy on the earthy notes (cornfield, hay, yeast, and malt come to mind). Sweet and nutty notes are right behind (caramel, toffee, honey), intermingled with citrus zest, fresh pear and green apples. A light oak note is revealed right before the taste. I get specifically reminded of gummy candies and cream soda. Taste: Sweet, nutty, and earthy. Caramelized apple, toffee, dried fruits, wet hay, grass, dried herbs immediately come to mind. A slight peat note is noticeable on some tastings, on others the residual medicinal note is more noticeable. Drying with a slight oak influence (wet wood with slight bitterness). Finish: Warm, bright spice (white pepper) with medium alcohol burn. Some of the nutty and earthy notes (dried fruit, hay) notes and slight bitterness follows along eventually once the spice burns off. Complexity is nice on the nose and taste. Flavors seem to shift a bit with each pour which makes you look forward to the next dram. This whisky has minimal off-putting notes and plenty of character.

Just alcohol

Rich. Creamy. Complex. Caramel, butterscotch, apples, a hint of nutmeg. Maybe a macallan 12 sherry cask mixed with clynelish 14? Just the first dram from this bottle, and impressed.