Now that I can operate my keyboard again (my son encouraged my other son to shove Play-Doh between the keys, jamming the enter button)... I'm writing another review. If you've ever wondered what black truffles smell like, this is about as close as you'll get without purchasing one (though, considering current Japanese pricing, the Yoichi 20 might be more expensive than a few truffles!). It's earthy. Like damp leaves. Absolutely fantastic. For me, a great whisky is mostly about the aroma – and this ranks among the best! The taste is also excellent. I've never tasted a black truffle (only smelled one in a Paris shop), but I imagine this is what it would be like. Moist, damp earth (in a pleasant way, not like when we accidentally swallowed dirt playing mud football as kids). There's smoke, but it's more like charcoal than peat. I'm picturing truffle flatbread, grilled perfectly over coals. The finish is captivating... smooth and soft. Thankfully, I purchased this ages ago when prices were reasonable... but even at today's cost, it's a bottle worth a significant splurge. Highly recommended!
Nikka Yoichi 20 Year
Whiskey Japanese Whisky Japan 20 Year 52% ABV
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About this bottle
Nikka's first distillery, Yoichi, is situated in the town of Hokkaido and utilizes coal-fired pot stills as a key element of its production. This traditional Japanese single malt undergoes a slow maturation period of 20 years in oak. It is then bottled in limited quantities at 104 proof.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 5 parsed reviews.
Sampled as part of a flight including 6 half-ounce pours: Hakushu 18, Yamazaki 18, Hibiki 21, Mars Komagatake 30, and Ichiro's Malt Port Pipe. It ranked second to the Komagatake 30, offering a rich flavor profile with notes of berries, spices, chocolate, and a hint of smoke. Nose: Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Sandalwood, Salted Toffee, Truffles, Smoke, Figs, Prunes, Dates, Hoisin Sauce, Morello Cherries, Sakura, Ginger, Orange Peels, Bacon, Lavender, Almond Syrup, Coconuts, Brown Butter Cake, Walnut Banana Bread Palate: Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Smoke, Milk Chocolate, Honey, Toffee, Dark Chocolate, Coconuts, Hazelnuts, Cloves, Nutmeg, Christmas Cakes, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Coal, Blackberries Finish: Raisins, Prunes, Salted Caramel, Coal Smoke, Ginger, Orange Peels, Cinnamon, Licorice, Mint Chocolate, Sandalwood
The scent is rich and sweet, with hints of vanilla and licorice. The flavor is leathery, featuring subtle peat and smoke, alongside some cherry. It possesses considerable depth.
Only available for purchase at the Yoichi distillery, a true gem
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