This is now my 5th Nikka expression in as many weeks and I’m starting to get a decent idea of what is both available in my area and what I’m liking from them. Nose delivers a soft but present peat, not smoky, but earthy, and a little air moves that into more grassy notes. Keep exploring and black forest cake will slowly creep from behind it all. Go too far though and you’ve reached the end of the line.. ethanol is all that’s left now. Palate is much spicier and livelier than the nose let on. Sweet & Spicy peppercorns dance on the tongue on first sip, calming down quickly so you can appreciate the rich malted barley next. There is then a 3rd act that builds, forcing you to pay attention, delivering another round of pepper and baking spice but in an enjoyable effervescent way. Finish medium, with some dry woody flavors and then the slightest hint of smoke. And if you wait long enough, the faintest dark funky fruit that I equate to sherry finish. This a solid whisky that is priced just slightly too high. It’s currently 87 CAD but if it were 60-70 I’d buy all day.