Nikka The Grain Whisky

Delicate, light and comprised of ethereal high notes. The initial impression upon tasting is a compact bomb of sweetness, barely corraled by what appears to be a young cask aging. But, this is a deception, as the sponge candy formerly so apparent, soon transitions into a lot of oak and darkening tannins. A real surprise that makes the profile hard to nail down. This is the kind of whisky that would make a superior highball in the Japanese tradition, but as a limited edition release, I doubt that many will pursue that avenue of enjoyment. However, on its own, Nikka The Grain stands as a testament to the exquisite skill of masterful blending. For the Japanese whisky collector, you will not do better in 2023 than this elegant release.

Gentle and elegant with notes of honey, brown sugar, cotton candy, banana taffy, citrus peels, sakura, almonds, green tea, bubble gum, and plums. Nose: Vanilla, White Chocolate, Banana Taffy, Cotton Candy, Sakura, Plums, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Bubble Gum, Sandalwood, Zesty Lemon Peels, Orange Peels, Sour Green Apples Palate: Vanilla, Honey, Toffee, Brown Sugar, Graham Crackers, Marshmallows, Green Tea, Plums, Sour Cherries, Sakura, Almonds, Dark Chocolate, Banana Bread, Almond Pastries Finish: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Honey, Bubble Gum, Peaches, Sour Cherries, Apricots, Green Tea, Oats, Banana Taffy