Nikka Days

This whiskey has a green apple character. It doesn't aim for profound revelations and doesn't need to. It presents quite floral and lightly vanilla notes, characteristic of Nikka. As a no-age-statement bottling, I suspect it's a fairly young blend. On the palate, it's oily, light, and airy, with fruity and floral notes; the finish seems poised to linger but then vanishes abruptly, much like an attractive person on the subway. Though marketed as a blend containing peated whisky, I certainly detect no smoke whatsoever, not even a wisp. Despite this, it exhibits a surprising body for a standard 40% ABV spirit. It makes no pretense of being more than it is: an endearing, uncomplicated, everyday grain whiskey for desserts, perfectly suitable for cocktails. Unfortunately, it contains coloring (deducting half a star). By itself: it offers virtually nothing, which isn't particularly surprising.***The 'green apple' whiskey. This dram doesn’t provide major world revelations, nor does it intend to. It displays rather floral and subtle vanilla notes, typical of Nikka. Despite being a NAS, it appears to be a rather young blend. They claim it's a 'peated blend' – I contend I definitely don't sense any smoke. Light and airy on the palate, fruity and floral; the finish teases at lingering but then suddenly departs, similar to a pretty face on the underground. Nevertheless, it offers a surprising body compared to a standard 40% ABV. It doesn't try to seem like more than it is: a lovable, entirely uncomplicated, dessert grain whiskey for daily enjoyment, readily usable in cocktails. Sadly, it is colored (minus half a star). Dry tasting: essentially nothing, as expected.

I was surprised to learn this was meant to be peated; I detected no peat at all. Anyway, this Nikka Days blended Japanese whisky from Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries is a very sweet dram. Bottled at 40% ABV with a light gold hue. The nose is full of chocolate, creamy milk chocolate and chocolate milk powder. Grain whisky notes like maize appear after a few minutes, along with vanilla that's very sweet but appealing. The creaminess complements the sweetness wonderfully, evoking tiramisu and ground coffee. The palate echoes the nose with milk chocolate and vanilla, plus a gingery note. It's a pleasant, creamy dram with marshmallow notes. The finish continues the theme with subtle grain whisky presence, chocolate powder, and creamy vanilla. It's not overly complex but very gentle, with a hint of hazelnut. Overall, this is an incredibly easy-drinking whisky, perhaps too pleasant and gentle. The grain whisky actually enhances the simple profile by adding a creaminess not typically found in single malts, while avoiding any off-putting characteristics. It's like liquid chocolate. I rate it a solid 84 out of 100. For the cost, it's a great choice for an everyday dessert whisky.

Aroma - floral notes, a trace of orange, mild nasal irritation. Taste - floral and vanilla that fades. Finish - moderately long with some continuation from the taste, not much else beyond that, very little to no burn. Score - 3.0, it doesn't make much of an impression, but nothing is inherently bad. Perhaps if the alcohol by volume was higher (currently 40%), it would be more vibrant. Scoring Scale 5.0 - Exceptional, unparalleled. 4.5 - Excellent, consistently kept in stock if possible. 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable, a solid choice. 3.5 - Good, would taste again. 3.0 - Average. 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, drinkable but not enjoyable. 1.5 and below—would avoid unless desperate.

Aroma: Pear, sweet apple, vanilla, and citrus zest. Opens with a hint of rich wood varnish, which is pleasant. It smells like the biscuit part of a cheesecake. Palate: Malty/grainy, with salted nuts, a bit of smoke, and some suntan lotion sweetness. It starts thin but becomes fuller, revealing interesting burnt leaf and burnt vanilla notes. I'd call it creme brûlée. It's not very fruity for me, more like barley sugar. Finish: It doesn't linger long but has some maltiness. More charred notes remain over time. Overall: It wasn't as disappointing as I anticipated! I genuinely enjoy this one, with unexpected wisps of smoke and salty notes.

A delicate Japanese Blended Whisky from the Yoichi Distillery in Japan, created from a mix of grain Whiskies. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of white flowers, orange blossoms, hints of lemon, apple, and pear; develops a rich middle with notes of vanilla, toffee, roasted nuts, peat, cereals, and malt; and finishes short and dry with hints of coffee, vanilla, malt, and apricots. July 2019 / August 2022

It's mellow and sweet, with the peat effervescing like soda pop on the palate. A fantastic scotch and soda. After consuming a lot of bourbon and high-proof spirits, this is lively and playful instead of forceful. It has more robust legs than anticipated, and this richness provides a mouthfeel that belies its proof as a neat drink.