I am not a huge fan of NAS whiskies. With few notable exceptions, you are simply paying more to get less. After Nikka discontinued all single malts with age statement, I thought this Yoichi would be a big disappointment. Well, I was wrong. Full and fruity with growing hints of smoke, the nose features sour plums, milk chocolate and incense sticks. Rich fruitiness, green tea and a potpourri of sweet, bitter, dry and spicy notes add up to a well-composed palate. The finish falls a bit short and fades rather quickly. Nevertheless, a pleasant surprise. Wabi-sabi! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]