The Nikka 12 Year

This spirit is a prime example of why Japanese whiskies are so renowned. Like the Hibiki and similar expressions, this one performs admirably. While it carries a premium price for its age, the vast majority of drinkers will find it satisfying. It offers sufficient complexity and delightful flavor. Presented at 43% ABV with a tawny hue. The aroma is exceptional. Thick orange marmalade with chunks of orange. Vanilla cookies. A hint of grassy tobacco. A multi-layered citrus quality. Wonderful maraschino cherries. An elegant caramel. Allowing it to rest enhances it considerably. A red fruit reduction; aged, almost spoiled oranges; scorched cake topping, scorched grass. It develops a potent citrus profile: notes of lime. A subtle soapy undertone is present. Smelling it again after the initial taste brings forth a rich caramel essence, orange nectar, and pepper. The scent is truly magnificent. The taste is somewhat direct, yet refined and pleasant. Caramel, honey, followed by a pronounced pepper note that subsides quickly. An intense citrusy orange also emerges. It possesses a pleasing character and is effortlessly sippable. The finish mirrors this directness but is quite robust. Cough syrup, tobacco leaf, leather, and oak spices. In sum, this is a dependable spirit. It's a well-crafted blend, and its current availability is uncertain, but I'm confident those who discover a bottle will appreciate it. A score of 90 out of 100 seems fitting.

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" while simultaneously 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" and "light" at the same time, if that makes any sense. I detected a dark oaky profile concurrently with fresh green apples. Almost like dried apple rings that haven't been treated, so they appear 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 apart from the dark yet light fruity/floral balance. This one might do pretty well in a highball, but perhaps with a bit less soda water to let this lighter whisky play a larger role.

Holy crap, this is amazing. Ever experienced a whiskey so delightful you found yourself gazing at your pour, utterly perplexed yet impressed? That just occurred! The aroma is remarkably intricate, featuring a hint of smoke, some toffee, caramel, and pure bliss. The taste presents subtle notes of cinnamon, sugar cane, and oak (unsure of the cask origins). The aftertaste is rather extended and harmonious, with sweet sugar remaining for an extended period. Absolutely justifies its scarcity. Cheers!

This Nikka 12-year-old blended Japanese whisky arrives in a container inspired by a kimono's collar. Its opening is fragrant, offering butterscotch, cooked pears, candy apples, nougat, and nutmeg. The body develops into buttery oak, smooth malt, a whisper of leather, and a trace of smoke. The finish is well-proportioned and moderately long, with hints of spice, fruit, and cocoa. October 2017 / August 2022

This is quite tasty! It hits a nice balance between a smooth Taketsuru and Nikka Coffey grain. The malt notes begin mellow, then the grain's sweetness surges forward, dominating before yielding to a remarkably enduring spicy conclusion. A delightful whisky!

I enjoy the sweet, spicy butterscotch notes. It's also smooth and a worthy, perhaps superior, replacement for the taketsuru 12. I love the bottle and experienced this at the Miyagikyo distillery on 8/25.