Reviewing my first Japanese whisky. This sample coming by way of Pranay. Nikka Whisky from the Barrel is a blended whisky coming in at 51.4% ABV. I have no info on colorant or chill filtration. The color is an orange amber. The nose has a sharp alcoholic bite at first, but that dissipates fairly quickly. Sherry citrus. Oranges, apricots and honey. A very light peat and old oak creep in, subtle but nicely interwoven. Semisweet chocolate, plums, raisins. It's quite vegetal, like lightly cooked celery. Some vanilla and a little grain profile. Cinnamon or dried ginger or both. A wealth of flavors, some additional ones I can't quite pin down. Muted sherry on the palate. Vegetal peat, honey, and fairly salty. Strangely similar to HP 12, but much less peat/smoke. Vanilla and light oak. Apricots and nectarines. There is a peppery heat that builds and builds as you drink more that crescendos to a point of almost unbearable levels, but then levels off just in time. Full bodied mouthfeel that is a little oily and mouthwatering. Medium long finish. Spicy with sherried fruits. This whisky from the Land of the Rising Sun is good. Different than what I expected, though I'm not quite sure what I did expect. The spicy palate is a bit taxing and would probably do well with water, though I did not add any this go around. There is a good bit of complexity, though I feel it is lacking something, not exactly sure what though. Don't think I would buy a full (500mL) bottle at $50 though. Hoping for continued quality from Japan in the future. Thanks again to Pranay for the sample. 3.75 Cheers