NIKKA 21yo (45%, OB, Taketsuru ‘Pure Malt’, +/-2010)

On the nose there it’s gentle and good, puzzlingly different but shrieks of quality; some good fruit, some oak and some lingering malt, all in harmony. The aromas are seductive and after some time in the glass some more of the sweet oak become a little more assertive but still backed by the fruit. This is really sensational; apologies from that lack of control. The taste is everything as above and it all intermingled together very well; some sweetness from the fruit, some malt and then the oak spice (again still sweet but in balance). A little bit of leather and tobacco, slightly more leather to be fair. Very more-ish. The finish is vibrant and long, warming, still very good. Some elder Highland Park moments in here and then a small blast of sweet malt. And more, it keeps on going, an unusually long finish.

Yet another wonderful and very drinkable Japanese whisky.

$175

Score 89 points

Won “World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky” at the 2010 World Whisky Awards.