15 – 20 years ago, whiskey connoisseurs would commonly have a 3 region argument over who makes the best whiskey; Scotland, Ireland, America…(and sometimes Canada….rarely…but…Ok). Fast forward to today and this argument is null and void if no one mentions Japanese whiskey. Japanese distillers have accumulated as many awards as some other regions combined…all are justified. @Nikkawhiskeyusa has been one of Japan’s main and most well known whiskey distillers and in my recent international trip I discovered their crown jewel; #NIKKA WHISKEY FROM THE BARREL. ‘From the Barrel’ is a blend of Japanese malt whiskey (from Yoichi distillery) and grain whiskey (from Miyagikyo distillery) that has been aged together in oak cast. Its distinctive, squatty bottle stands out amongst the rest of the whiskey brands and resembles an alchemist’s potion bottle with its clean lines and simple labeling. The bottle also serves as a clean canvas to display the whiskey’s dark amber/resin color.
There are two very different personalities here. Initially, it is a very intense floral and sweet spice nose to the whiskey…very rich syrup scent. After some time resting, it softens to a very aromatic vanilla, caramel, oak and crisp apple bouquet. It’s a fantastic balance between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
It has an upfront resemblance to a delicate scotch with more wood, alcohol, and cinnamon. Add a drop of water, and the flower which is Nikka From the Barrel blooms to a more enticing creamy toffee that coats your tongue. It has notes of banana and nutmeg on the finish and is a soft warming sip now that it has had time to open up.
#FromtheBarrel is the best of both worlds in flavor profile and sipping experience. It is a blended whiskey that behaves more like a single malt with high notes from both. I just learned that the Nikka is now available in the U.S. and I highly suggest you search high and low for this amazing Whiskey.
