Alright, now that I’ve jumped in head first into peated and non-peated scotches (I’m a bourbon fanatic), it’s time to check out some Japanese whiskeys. I’ve had a few, but none of the Nikka’s, until now... The nose is sweet and spicey with dried fruit (raisins, apricots), apple, malt, some smoke, vanilla, lightly dusty wood, and paprika spice. The palate is sweet, oily, spicey and rich. There is malt, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, spicey peppers, dusty wood and black pepper. Maybe it’s the power of suggestion, but I do get a unique rich tingling sensation on the very baaack of the palate that might suggest the unami sense. The finish is long with initial pop of smoke, then malt, slight saltiness, then lingering pepper spices and vanilla. This one is very good from the start and just keeps evolving after each sip. I am very impressed! And the abv is great and what I am used to in bourbon. Would definitely recommend if you enjoy malt whiskies or whiskey in general and want to try something a little more unique.