Nikka From the Barrel

The Nikka company was set up by one of the Godfathers of Japanese Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru. Masataka was an organic chemist and was the first Japanese man to learn to make whisky in Scotland studying at Hazelburn distillery in Campbell Town. Nikka is now one of the Japanese great producers, making a range whiskies and other spirits in two distilleries, Yoichi situated in the North Island of Hokkaidō and Miyagikyo distillery in Aoba-ku, Sendai.

Nikka From The Barrel is a blended whisky created to deliver full flavours and richness of whisky “from barrels” which only blenders can sniff and taste.

The iconic bottle is designed to reflect “a small block of whisky” – embodying the rich, strong taste of the whisky within.

A blend of single malts from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries and a unique grain whisky, Nikka from the Barrel is married from a selection of different oak casks to create a rich harmony of distinct flavours. This whisky is bottled directly from the cask at close to cask strength and possesses a distinctive personality characterised by solidity, depth of taste and a richly expanding aroma.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and fruity, with some peppery spice to liven things up. That delicate orange fruitiness is there along with some creaminess from the oak.

Palate: Big flavours on the palate; clove and cinnamon spice, malted honey and clean citrus notes. Water softens the flavours, bringing out the clean fruitiness at the expense of some of the toasty spice.

Finish: At full strength, this lasts a very long time, with the fruit and spice outlasting the oak.