Nikka From the Barrel

Facts

• 

  Country

  Japan

• 

  Type

  Blended Whisky

• 

  Colouring

  Yes

Tasting Notes

• Tasting Notes by Stuart P

  • Nose

    Spicy and peppery, but there’s a richness behind it, with spicy oak and soft orange fruitiness, and soft vanilla notes from the bourbon cask.

  • Palate

    Grainy sweetness and candied orange peel, quite rich, accompanied by rich cinnamon and clove.

  • Finish

    Great balance, this really needs a little water to allow the flavours to unfurl.

  • Comment

    Characterful stuff, this whisky has plenty of personality, and shows a delightful balance between the spicy pepperiness and rich citrus fruit.

• Tasting Notes by Dr Whisky

  • Tasting notes

    (Tasted with Tante Anne. Her notes appear in quotes.)

    Bubble gum, dry sherry, and a zip of orange zest. Evaporated milk, sweet caramel chews.

    'Smells Japanese. Like old wooden Japanese homes' (she has spent a lot of time in Japan).

    Minty sherry oak and plastic bags. Walnuts, raspberry seeds, delicious bittersweet notes like slices of Gala apples. Very dry finish with some pine and a cocoa smokiness.

  • Summary

    Nose opened up with time and patience and made varied impressions. Water dulled the impact on the palate but helped discriminate between flavours. A very impressive package in a very impressive package. And another rich but affordable Japanese whisky. There is something Aberlour and Teaninich about it.

    Tried it as a mizuwari (served with water and ice) and it was gentle, but with a surprisingly complex array of flavours from brioche to cherries to chocolatey smoke.

Reviews