The Nikka 12 Year

This dram is one reason why japanese whiskies have so much fame. This dram, as the Hibiki and others, works perfectly and even if it is a little expensive for the age statement, most people who drink it will enjoy it. It is complex and delicious enough. Bottled at 43%abv, tawny color. On the nose, it is great. Orange marmalade with thick orange pieces. Vanilla biscuits. A Grassy tobacco note. A complex citrusness. Lovely maraschino cherries. A very fancy caramel. Letting it breath makes it a lot better. A red fruit syrup; Old almost rancid oranges; Burnt cake crest, Burnt grass. It gets powerfully citric: Lime notes. There is a soap note somewhere. Nosing it after the first sip reveals a thick caramel note, Orange syrup and Pepper. Aroma is fantastic really. On the palate is a little straightforward, but fancy and enjoyable. Caramel, Honey and then a Strong pepper note that fades after a couple seconds. An overly citric orange note also appears. It has a nice character and it is easy drinkable. Aftertaste is also very striaghtforward but very solid. Cough syrup, Tobacco leaf, leather and oak spice. Overall this is a solid whisky. It is a good blend, and i don't know if they are making this anymore, but i bet people will enjoy it if they find a bottle. 90 over 100 is a fair score for it.

Nose - Baked green apples, light fruity tropical vanilla, lightly spiced floral honey. Taste - Toasted green apples, dark floral honey, light woody/smoky spice, golden raisins rehydrated in a lightly oaked white wine, tastes "dark" at the same time being light & fruity. Finish - Lightly fruity bitterness lingers like an oaked white wine, mild white pepper heat, dark golden raisins, dried apple rings. Score - 82/100 Final Thoughts - This was a very interesting Japanese blend in that it tasted both "dark" & "light" at the same time if that makes any sense. I got this dark oaky profile at the same time as fresh green apples. Almost like dried apple rings that haven't been treated so they look a bit darker in color, but still retain their light fruity profile? Regardless it's a very gentle blend, nothing off putting and very light. Well balanced if not a bit boring other than the dark, yet light fruity/floral balance. This one might fair pretty well in a highball, but with maybe a bit less soda water to let this lighter whisky play a larger role.

Hot damn this is GOOD. Have you ever had a whisky so delicious you just kept staring at your dram with both bewilderment and admiration? Well THAT. JUST. HAPPENED! The nose is incredibly complex, with a touch of smoke, some toffee, caramel, and heaven. The palate has notes of subtle cinnamon , cane sugar and wood (not sure which casks were used here). The finish is quite long and balanced, with sweet sugar lingering for minutes on end. Definitely worth its hard find. Enjoy!

An intense 12-year-old blended Japanese whisky from Nikka presented in a bottle that takes its design from the neckline of a kimono. It has an aromatic birth with notes of butterscotch, poached pears, toffee apples, nougat & nutmeg; while a rich life adds notes of buttery oak, rounded malt, a touch of leather & a hint of smoke; that led to a balanced death of medium length with notes of spice, fruit & a hint of cocoa. October 2017 / August 2022

This is very good! Just the right mix between a smooth Taketsuru and Nikka Coffey grain. The malts start smooth and then the sweetness from the grain rushes in and takes over before giving way to an incredibly long spicy finish. This is a fun whisky!

Sweet spicy butterscotch and butterscotch I like. It’s also smooth and a worth replacement to the taketsuru 12 if not better. Love the bottle and had this tasted at the Miyagikyo distillery 25/8