Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai

Nikka, the direct competitor to Suntory, is recognized for releasing some excellent whiskies. However, this time, it's not just the liquid that's appealing, but also the decanter itself, featuring a Samurai helmet and armor over the cap. The Nikka Gold & Gold, a now-famous bottle discontinued in 2016, is a blended whisky originally intended for travel retail. Bottled at 43% ABV, with a golden hue. On the nose, very fruity and fresh. Peaches in syrup; some oily spice and cooked pineapples. A vanilla sponge cake, damp biscuits, fresh gooseberries, and glazed pork. It remarkably resembles a peach half in syrup. On the palate, it begins with tropical fruits, followed by a strong spice, similar to wasabi; pineapple core. A second taste revealed peaches, some saltiness, and a metallic/sulfuric note. A third tasting brought forth sugar syrup, sugar mixed with milk. The aftertaste is peaty! Some smoke, tobacco leaf, and bitter notes linger on the finish. Burnt hay, dry burnt grass. The characteristic Nikka peat is present, a nice addition. Not very long. Dry, salty, grassy. Overall, I truly enjoyed this whisky. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to anticipate and was quite surprised by it. The aroma was delightful, and the peaty finish was delicious. It's not a complex dram, but it's a good one. My score for this very well-balanced whisky is a solid 88 out of 100. Cheers!

Nose: Crisp apple, pear, and Asian pear notes, with barrel-aged cider, dark honey, and caramel. Taste: Sweet dark honey, light-fleshed fruits like apples and Asian pears, a touch of longan's sweet/metallic profile, a light peppery tingle, and bitterness/dryness like Asian pear skin. Finish: Gentle warmth, with a lingering sweetness of Asian pear, reminiscent of fruit left out and slightly oxidized, plus honey. Score: 74/100 Final Thoughts: I confess the cool bottle design, especially the metal samurai topper, was the primary reason for purchase. The spirit inside is acceptable, but not exceptional. Much like many Japanese whiskies, I suspect this is intended more for highballs than for sipping neat. While not bad neat and relatively easy to drink, it's not something I'd typically choose. The flavors are subtle yet present, but tend towards being one-dimensional and have a summery character that I feel would shine better in cocktails or a highball rather than neat. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Perhaps, if there was a different topper design.

I discovered this bottle left unattended, hanging on a hook in the men's restroom at the airport. The nose is sweet, with a hint of fruit. I'm not particularly fond of it, but I don't dislike it. The taste is smoky and peaty with a very slight bitter finish. It's not the best thing I've ever had, but I like it enough to savor it. I LOVE the bottle.

The aroma is bright with vanilla, showing early signs of harshness. It's oaky and tastes brittle, not very complex. Hints of malt and sweetness appear but are swiftly overcome by bitterness. Adding water enhances the sweetness slightly, yet the bitterness remains dominant. It seems immature and would be better suited for cocktails.

An excellent nose: spices, toasted wood, honey. Very smooth and round on the palate, sweet with a lovely honey and vanilla note. Interesting but lacks complexity.

Sweet, warm butterscotch on the nose. A pleasant baking spice on the initial taste, which mellows into the less sweet aspects of brown sugar and molasses cookies.