NIKKA DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVES

For this months's tasting, we sampled almost all of the current Distillery Exclusives from both Yoichi and Miyagikyo.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Miyagikyo Sherry Cask 2015 
 

The Miyagikyo Sherry
Cask 2015 was
the odds on favorite
to be best in show -
and it was!

Background: Okay, not a distillery exclusive, but an extremely limited special edition. (The Yoichi Heavily Peated came out at the same time.)  This was released right around the time that Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 won Jim Murray's Whisky of the Year and set off the current Japanese whisky craze.  

Stats: Limited to 3000 Bottles.  Aged in Spanish Sherry Casks.  ABV = 48%

Tasting Notes: With the high ABV of all the whiskies we were drinking today, it was prudent to have a warm up to get the taste buds acclimated.  Our "opener" was the current Miyagikyo Single Malt NAS @ 45% ABV.  And it helped immensely.  I've had the excellent Sherry Cask 2015 before, but this time, it was transcendent.  Perhaps a little air in the bottle helped? Incredibly well balanced and complex.  This beauty is definitely not a one note sherry bomb like the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016.  Exceptional.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 Miyagikyo Sherry + Sweet 

Background:  
When this line of Distillery Exclusives was originally rolled out, they were all 12 Year Age Statements.  A few years back, new packaging was introduced as well as converting to No Age Statement along with all of Nikka's single malts.

Stats: ABV = 55%.  Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: Prefer the nose on this one - definitely punchier as expected with the higher ABV.  But the taste isn't as complex as the 2015 - more of a one note sherry bomb, plus a short finish.  Still, it's Miyagikyo Sherry - I wouldn't slam the door in its face should it come calling in the middle of the night.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 Yoichi Sherry + Sweet 

Background: All of the Distillery Exclusives have unique names for each distillery - except this one.  Sherry + Sweet expressions exist at both Miyagikyo and Yoichi.  You really have to pay attention as to which is which since the design is so similar.

Stats: ABV = 55%. Bottled 2017. 
 

Tasting Notes: Nose leans toward expected Yoichi coastal, peaty notes.  A meatier, buttery taste as well compared to its counterpart, along with salty and light peat notes.  Finish is more on the chocolate-y side.  Nice range overall.  This one should be called Sherry + Salty + Sweet.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Yoichi 2000's 


 

Background: Comprised of single malt whisky distilled anywhere between 2000 and 2009.  Miyagikyo also has a 2000's expression, but that was one of two Distillery Exclusives that were not part of this tasting.  (The other being Nikka Coffey Grain Woody + Mellow.) Similar 1980's and 1990's expressions exist as well, but those are long gone from the Distillery Gift Shops.

Stats: ABV = 57%. Bottled 2017. 
 

Tasting Notes: Spicy nose.  Not as peaty as expected.  Caramel dominates taste and finish.  Adding some water produced a better range, spreading out the dense flavors, and making it more enjoyable.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
 Miyagikyo Fruity + Rich 

Background: Nikka Distillery Exclusives are only available at their respective gift shops.  Yoichi expressions only at Yoichi.  Same for Miyagikyo.  The aforementioned Nikka Coffey Malt Woody + Mellow is the only exception - it can be purchased at either. So you'd have to go to both distilleries to get them all.  No easy task.  All are bottled at 180ml and 500ml.

Stats: ABV = 55%. Bottled 2016 
 

Tasting Notes: Aptly named with its big fruity nose.  Taste is apricot malty finished in powder sugar on a glazed donut.  Not a huge range, but very nice indeed.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
 Yoichi Woody + Vanillic 

Background: Yoichi was the first Nikka distillery, founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru.  Prior to that, he was one of the two men behind the first Japanese Whisky Distillery, Yamazaki.

Stats: ABV = 55 %. Bottled 2017
 

Tasting Notes: Hello Japanese Bourbon! Could each of these "x + y" expressions just be the 3 components for their respective core range of distillery single malts? Sherry, Bourbon, and some sort of Puncheon or Hogshead?  This one would be the Bourbon Barrel, if you couldn't tell. Big time Bourbon nose and that smooth, sweet taste.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 3
 Miyagikyo Malty + Soft  

Background: While Suntory can claim the first single malt distillery in Japan, Nikka can boast they had their second before their rival did. Miyagikyo, built in 1969, pre-dates Suntory's second distillery, Hakushu, by 4 years.  The whiskies of Yoichi tend to compare to Scottish Coastal Highlands, or even Islay, while Miyagikyo's distillate is similar to those of Central Highlands and Speyside.

Stats: ABV = 55%. Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: Big time marshmallow nose at first, evolving into fruit notes.  Tastes like salty malt balls, i.e. Whoppers, with an interesting pear guava finish.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 Yoichi Peaty + Salty 

Background: Nikka was the first Japanese producer to win a major international award for its whisky.  In 2001, a Yoichi 10 Year Single Cask won Whisky Magazine's Best of the Best category.  

Stats: ABV = 55%. Bottled 2017.
 

Tasting Notes: Medium peat on the nose.  Taste is Peaty & Salty as described - big time!  Briny, with a soft, salty + malty finish.  Might be the best peated Japanese whisky that I've experienced. Recommend going back and forth with this and one of the Sherry expressions.  Outstanding!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]