Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (New Formula)

N: Pungent pineapple, crisp red apple, fresh cherries, cherry candy, cherry syrup. Vanilla, fresh bread, a whisper of cinnamon. Perhaps a touch of coconut with the pineapple, which remains sharp, potent, and dominant. A faint trace of smooth Mizunara wood – like sawdust and marshmallow cream. Also a subtle smoke with notes of tart fruit and pickled vegetables. P: Velvety smooth vanilla cream and caramel with underlying bready notes. Abundant sherry red fruit. More cherry variations from the nose. A sprinkle of bitter dark chocolate. Oaky, occasionally reminiscent of bourbon. The pineapple from the nose gently lingers at the sides of the tongue. The palate also carries hints of that tart fruit/pickled vegetable character, creating an interesting contrast to the sweetness. The finish has baking spices, a mild cinnamon-like warmth, and a touch of coffee bitterness. An intense nose that borders on overly sharp and pungent in places, lacking finesse. This seems unusual for a Japanese whisky, possibly indicating a new direction with the "new" formula. Despite its intensity, it never becomes unpleasant and is, in some ways, remarkable. Overall, the palate is fine but feels somewhat ordinary in comparison. However, it is incredibly smooth and easy to drink. This bottle has been open since February, but I likely haven't had any since March or early April. I suspect some oxidation has occurred. My earlier notes indicated the nose was mild compared to the Yoichi (which I also opened around the same time and haven't revisited), which I find hard to believe now. I'll confirm when I open the Yo again in the coming days. The bigger question is whether I'd repurchase it. At around $70, I could see myself buying it again, but no more than that. In March, I reviewed the discontinued black label version of this. I initially thought the new white label was slightly superior. I'm uncertain now, but I do believe this version is less smoky, more pineapple-forward, oakier, and generally more complete. I can't definitively say which is better; each profile might be preferable in different situations. Nevertheless, as the black label phases out (though still visible) and this replaces it, I believe this will satisfy a similar preference in a comparable manner. Nothing significant is lost. Your experience may vary, of course.

Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #22 Nose: Very fruity with apple, green melon, white peach and white grape immediately apparent. There is a zesty, fresh citrus note as well with a grassy, herbal quality (more lemongrass than lemon zest) and some gentle smoke. Nicely balanced and with a drop of water it becomes more fragrant. Palate: Mildly smoky floral fruit in the arrival, transitioning to deeper malt and fruit flavors (peaches poached in sauternes) and finally becoming dry and gently spicy (cinnamon, ginger) towards the finish. Light but creamy texture. Finish: Medium. Fruit flavors trailing into demure smoky tannin. A very pleasant NAS whisky. The last time I tasted this it was the old formula (in a bottle with a dark label) about 5 years ago, and while I thought it was OK I was not wowed by it. The new blend apparently has more Yoichi, and that is certainly borne out by a tasting, but it seems to have more presence and depth all over. Not that it is a particularly complex whisky, but it does what it does very well, and I think this new expression is an improvement over the old one. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)

This is the latest release of Nikka's Pure Malt. I sampled the older version some years ago, which combined whiskies from their Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries. The new bottling leans more towards Yoichi, the smokier counterpart, while Miyagikyo offers a sherry-influenced sweetness. Notes of caramel, floral, pear, and bubblegum are present. Smoke is certainly noticeable but drifts beautifully in the background. The influence of ex-sherry casks is also more apparent on the palate, and the finish delivers roasted pecans and vanilla frosting. Conclusion: A score of 93/100. $65 is a very reasonable price for this dram. It surpasses the previous Pure Malt and has even improved over several months, with only about 20% remaining in the bottle (a rarity for younger spirits).

Excellent! I compared this to the old one. It’s similar but differs on the finish. The nose is pretty. Bubble gum accompanied by green apples, a hint of anise somewhere in the distance, and even mist follows. I also got a spray of orange juice (citrus) as if someone was freshly squeezing a few nearby. The smoke is barely there on the nose but it follows on the finish. The finish is medium short but more of the same from the nose. The only difference is you notice a bit of that smoke from Yoichi on the way down. Overall very good. Similar to the original bottle, mostly Miyagikyo for sure, just not as much of a Sherry influence in this release, but excellent. 91/100.

Nosing: Abundant pear on the nose; a sweet scent like fresh, tart fruit juice. Green apple is also present. A subtle oak influence. Tasting: Young, but smooth with a mild burn; sweet. Medium body; the oak flavor lingers on the finish. A tiny hint of smoke appears on the mid-palate. Finishes dry. Reduced Nosing: Cereal and malt. Notes of biscuit are also detectable. Reduced Tasting: Less burn than before. Still sweet and pleasant. A superb dram for a young, blended whisky. This dram is unmistakably Japanese in its meticulous craftsmanship. It lacks some complexity, but that's not a drawback for this smooth whisky.

Nikka's new transparency contradicted the rumor that Taketsuru Pure Malt contains Ben Nevis, confirming this as authentic Japanese whisky. Green apples, gooseberries, and honeydew melon are first on the nose, followed by lemongrass, chamomile, and a subtle smokiness. The palate reflects the flavors of Miyagikyo and Yoichi, starting with a fruity-floral arrival and developing into a moderately smoky, gingery dryness. Lingering oak, green tea, and hints of smoke remain in the medium finish. I'd venture to say it's even better than its predecessor. Cheers! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE