Nikka “Taketsuru” White Label Pure Malt Japanese Whisky $64.99 View

The new blend from Nikka replaces the old “Black Label,” but continues to offer excellent quality. A blend of malt whiskies from Yoichi and Miyagikyo (and perhaps elsewhere), the new label does nothing to diminish the quality. This refinement of the original blend relies more heavily on the coal fired pot stills at Yoicihi than the gas fired stills at Miyagikyo. There’s an additional sherry element and a slightly reduced peated element. The blend remains extremely polished and satisfying offering a wide array of complex malt flavors. The age, while not indicated on the label, seems to have improved slightly from the previous blend offering a more integrated and complex profile that relies on balance and elegance as the key factors in the flavor profile. This is the quintessential “Pure Malt” which has become synonymous with Japanese Whisky even in the modern era.

Nikka “Yoichi” Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $102)  $74.99 View

Winner of the Whisky Advocate’s 2016 “Japanese Whisky of the Year” award, Nikka’s latest release from Yoichi distillery no longer carries an age statement, but it does bring a classically Japanese whisky profile back to the market. All the delicacy, grace, and subtle complexity is alive and well in this release, buried deep in a whisper of malt for those who take the time to let it be heard. The first sip is almost ghostly, but it’s the second and third return that yield the slightest hint of peat smoke, the creamiest of malts, and the lovely roundness of sweet stone fruit. This is textbook Japanese whisky: a flavor reserved so as not to overwhelm potential food pairings like sushi or other delicate offerings, yet a wonderful depth of flavor done with the slightest of hands. Yoichi is located on Japan’s Hokkaido island where such food pairings are prevalent. It’s definitely a single malt with a sense of place. The gentle smell and flavor of the sea linger long on the finish. This whiskey meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky” defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 45% ABV.

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