Nikka 70th Anniversary Selection 12 Year Old

Nikka Yoichi 1991 Single Cask Malt cask #129459

This Yoichi single cask matured for a full 23 years in a virgin oak puncheon. It was distilled on 28 February 1991. In July 2014 it was bottled at a staggering 62% (which makes me believe it was not put to sleep at the industry standard of 63,5%). The virgin oak gave it a beautiful dark color. When the label says ‘heavily peated’, I naturally...

Score 91/100

Nikka Yoichi 20 Year Old

I tried this one before, but it is such a fine whisky that it is no punishment to return to it. It won top honours at the 2008 World Whisky Awards. Need I say more? The nose bursts with sherry influence. Fresh figs, dry apricots, some chocolate, sirop the Liège (dark pear syrup from Belgium), farmers butter, chewing tobacco, candied sugar and...

Score 88/100

Nikka Yoichi 12 Y.O. "Peaty and Salty" Distillery Only

Sample from a friend. Nose: Light peat, clean and refreshing. There's some smoke and salty nori. Faintly sweet malt and lemon, both fresh and candied. Oil, almost verging on putty, and I do like it! Some ginger and white pepper, and touching on wet pebbles and oysters. (with water) Slightly flatter, and if less sharp for it, then all the more...

Score 87/100

Nikka Yoichi 20 Year Old 1991 Single Cask #129651

This is my final Yoichi sample, a 20 Year Old from 1991. It matured in warehouse 15 (many a good cask came from there), in a new oak cask. The prickly nose contains peat and silt, but it is the sweetness that is victorious here. Oranges and lemon, stone fruits (apricots and even some mango) and then some vanilla and earth. But also roasted almonds...

Score 90/100