Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt

Finally time to start cracking into some unopened bottles in the collection before my wife starts counting them. Single malt showdown: Auchentoshan 12, Cragganmore 12 and Nikka Miyagikyo. All tasted in glen cairn glass and rested for about 30 minutes. Let's Miyagikygo! I should also preface this is my first time trying a Japanese single malt. Can someone tell the emperor to lower the damned prices! Nose: Pears, apple blossoms, and a hint of malt. A very delicate flower this. Palate: Thin mouthfeel that starts very light but grows. Orchard fruits and a decent amount of smoke. Like a burnt tarte tatin. Finish: Lengthy, floral and warm. There's a lot going on here and I can't quite figure it all out. All I know is that this is a heck of a solid dram. I can only imagine how great this would be with a bit more age behind it. I guess the emperor can charge whatever the hell he wants, because I get why people want this stuff. Final results of the showdown: 1st place: Miyagikyo 2nd place: Auchentoshan 12 3rd place: Cragganmore 12 Katana beats the broadsword. Palate:

On the nose: Eat your heart out! First nose brings bananas, apple, honey, and some peat. Second nose brings some chilli, oak and cashews. It’s quite complex, yet very transparent and gentle. The palate: it greets my mouth with an oak plank drizzled In honey with sawdust. Bananas on top with chilli and pear. The finish is medium in length, chilli and honey lasting on its way down. This bottle offers a great balance of taste and delight. It’s a smooth and complex, definitely an easy sipping dram. But for the price, there is plenty else out there from Scotland with a similar profile for better value.

The nose is understated; floral notes, mango and banana. On the taste it has a creamy, soft mouthfeel. Gentle tropical fruits and spongecake. There are no hard edges here despite the lack of age statement - it feels like there is some older whisky in this. There's a nicely balanced sweetness with a touch of sour in the development, with grass and cereal notes. The finish is a little dry and short. Overall this is an enjoyably gentle and restrained dram. Maybe not for those that enjoy a little drama in their whisky, but its undeniably well put together.

N: Light Single Malt nose. I'd call it bright and floral. Very inviting. There might be a slight sherry influence, however I'm not picking up any smoke. P: Smooth and light on the palate as well with very little burn. Very easy drinking, but not terribly interesting. This could serve as a good introduction to Japanese Whiskey. It's very well put together, it just won't wow you in any particular areas. F: Pretty short and doesn't reveal anything new from the palate.

Easy drinker with fruity, malty, spice. It's below the Coffey offerings in deliciousness but still a solid offering. It's malt forward with ginger and cinnamon kicks. It's on the thin side but still brings a full range of sweet to tobacco to spiced heat. The finish is quick but gives a tropical and nutty flavor.

The kind of crisp taste typical of a Japanese Scotch mash. The smokey smell even before it hits your palat is delightful. The nose is lighter than I expected and the finish is mild, but you can chew on it all day. Well suited to nurse all night.