DigitalArc
Nikka Whisky From the Barrel
Blended — Japan
Reviewed
February 19, 2021 (edited June 17, 2023)
The initial nose is a hit of ethanol notes, before turning into marzipan and lemon taffy. At other times, there's a tropical note and ripe orchard fruits, with hints of cigar tobacco.
The palate rolls on with the same notes of fruits, butterscotch, nougat, and floral honeysuckle. Quite complicated for a Japanese whisky, this one.
The nose and palate are closer to a scotch profile than any other Japanese whisky I've tasted (four so far). If you had told me this was a Highland, cask-strength scotch, I wouldn't have doubted it for a minute. The finish is both woody and spicy. Further sips consolidate it into a parallel flow of effervescent, citrusy sparkles that light up the palate. (Unfortunately, I'm missing the smoke that many reviewers have noted.)
It's a bit hot and a little mouth-drying - very much like a high-proof bourbon. (But hotter still than some BiB American whiskies, while holding only 1-2% higher ABV.)
Nonetheless, I picked this 750ml bottle up for a very reasonable price. Had I bought this at the market rate in my area (roughly $100+ tax), I'd most likely score this lower. (To put things into perspective, at the going rate, I could easily be drinking a bottle of Talisker Distiller's Edition instead!) Still, this is easily my favorite J-whisky thus far. I'm of the mind that if supply increases and meets demand, the age statement expressions from Nikka will definitely be on my must-try list. (No hard feelings, Suntory.)
90.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@DigitalArc @ContemplativeFox Great to see that the Japanese industry has adopted some guidelines, although conforming to them is voluntary. The big distilleries have signed on, and it's to Nikka's credit that they would do so and admit that From the Barrel is not strictly speaking "Japanese whisky". It doesn't change my opinion that this is a great whisky. I've long suspected it contains a good proportion of Ben Nevis so it's fine by me that Nikka have now all but admitted the fact.
@DigitalArc I saw a comment on this tasting at the top of my feed and wondered if anyone was talking about that. I'm a little bummed that this doesn't meet the criteria because I think of it as such a stand-out. I'm still trying to figure out what the fuss about Japanese whisky is all about.
@Scott_E @DigitalArc @Jan-Case I got a 50cl bottle two days ago in a sale, for €38. The screwtop bottle does look like it would hold cough syrup, or cheap white vinegar. Perhaps it’s one reason for the low price, or the introduction of regulations that I didn’t know about. Either way, the review validates the purchase, phew!
@Scott_E well, quality wise yes - but I could imagine another increase in price as well.
@DigitalArc Ahh! I did not know this. Very interesting. I hope too this is an overall win for the consumer.
@Scott_E You've brooched a topic I forgot to mention. Japan recently, and finally, established the regulations for how a spirit can be rightfully called, Japanese Whisky. It mirrors the regulations for Scotch in many ways. What's relevant here is that under the new guidelines, this expression can no longer be officially labelled as Japanese Whisky! And let me rejoin your point - I do hope the prices lower on this as a result. One can never have enough backup bottles of a good whisky! Sláinte!
This is a very good pour/bottle and hasn’t skyrocketed out of the price control. Wonder if it’s the simple marketing/packaging that keeps price in check? Just a thought.