Nikka Super Rare Old

Looking at the distiller score for this does not fill me with confidence before going in, but the Gentleman Jack score is 91 so anything can happen. The nose is very malt and honey forward, with some phenolic notes that are just a bit acrid around the edges. Simple and friendly, nothing to get excited about. The palate is better than the nose foretold, leading with more honey sweetness and lots of grain, white pepper and more heat then expected from the 43%. Those acrid edges from the nose show up next, with just the faintest flavors of ash and wood at the back. Also just oily enough to also make it feel more expensive then it is. Finish is medium in length and light on substance; a little spice, a little tannin bitterness and that’s it. I actually think this is better then what it’s been scored, and while I wouldn’t ever seek this bottle out again, I wouldn’t be against snagging a pour at the bar either.

Nikka Super Rare Old Revival Limited Edition An intense, blended Japanese Whisky by Masataka Taketsuru at the Yoichi Distillery in Hokaido, Japan. Revival brings together Sherry matured Nikka & Yoichi stock with a special bottling for Europe. It has a complex birth with notes of dried herbs, exotic spice, roasted almonds, citrus, malt, cooked apples, porridge oats, pear, beeswax & honey; while a rich & oily life adds notes of golden syrup, sweet honey, nougat, lemon grass, orange zest, toffee, fragrant oak, hints of tarragon in new oak, peanut butter, redcurrant, potpourri & cocoa; that led to a long & crisp death with notes of stewed fruits, baking spices, ginger, clove, sherry, hints of smoke, cinnamon & digestive biscuits. October 2018 / February 2019 / June 2020 /July 2021 / August 2022

N: honey, pear, light malty brown sugar, vanilla, oak, maybe a sherry finish, fairly simple overall. T: honey with light crisp fruit upfront, peppery spice follows, hint of an herbal quality, light ashy not, finish is medium in length. If you would have told me this was a budget blended scotch, I would have believed you. Reminds me very much of scotch vs a Japanese whiskey. A simple but pleasant sipper. Worth a try.

The palette follows the nose on this one. Banana, honey and vanilla. Gentle wood spices. Pears apples and light citrus fruit. The gentlest hint of peat. Not particularly memorable or challenging, but undeniably pretty and drinkable. Nicely balanced as you’d expect from a Japanese blend. Would make a fantastic first whisky recommendation for a beginner. Hard to dislike.

Rancid monstrosity!! Though this has 3 dollar signs, this is one of the cheapest Nikka whiskys in Japan, so don't be fooled, it's an ultra low-end whisky that is occasionally passed off as a hidden Nikka gem. Just thinking about it makes my mouth feel bad.

Very strong charred oak right away that gives way to the more sweet sherry flavors at the end. Very nice balance of wood and berries that make it an interesting drink.