The Nikka 12 Year

Nose - Baked green apples, light fruity tropical vanilla, lightly spiced floral honey. Taste - Toasted green apples, dark floral honey, light woody/smoky spice, golden raisins rehydrated in a lightly oaked white wine, tastes "dark" at the same time being light & fruity. Finish - Lightly fruity bitterness lingers like an oaked white wine, mild white pepper heat, dark golden raisins, dried apple rings. Score - 82/100 Final Thoughts - This was a very interesting Japanese blend in that it tasted both "dark" & "light" at the same time if that makes any sense. I got this dark oaky profile at the same time as fresh green apples. Almost like dried apple rings that haven't been treated so they look a bit darker in color, but still retain their light fruity profile? Regardless it's a very gentle blend, nothing off putting and very light. Well balanced if not a bit boring other than the dark, yet light fruity/floral balance. This one might fair pretty well in a highball, but with maybe a bit less soda water to let this lighter whisky play a larger role.