My first Japanese blend, Nikka from the Barrel! 🥃 I've read a lot of good things about this dram and just had to taste it. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 NOSE • Nosing it I got notes of toffee and spice, it was very rich. It was joined with notes of oak and vanilla and a hint of sweet butter. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 PALATE • The palate was very rich with a myriad of spices which were very well balanced on their own. Balancing the spices out were notes of orange and sweet caramel. I feel that the 51,4% ABV was basically perfect for the palate. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 FINISH • Finishing this blend didn't let you forget and was lasting. Still rich of spices, some cereal notes of grain then oak with a lingering note of hazelnuts. Still some sweetness in there. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 OVERALL • Keeping an open mind while tasting, I dare say this is one of the best blends I've had. Definitely worthy of a permantent spot on the shelf. I need to repeat that the ABV was very well balanced and fitting for the palate. Impressed! Instagram: mr.ljwhisky