SOUTHERN / AMERICAN / PACIFIC WINE & SPIRITS® Nikka Whisky Yoichi Single Malt Whisky [750ml] (Japan) – 6045596909727

About Nikka: 
The founder of Nikka and the father of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, received his training in Scotland while under contract for another company. Taketsuru founded Nikka in 1934 with the establishment of the Yoichi Distillery on the island of Hokkaido. Taketsuru’s early successes prompted the development of a second distillery in 1969, this time built on the island of Honshu in the foothills of the Miyagi prefecture, two hours north of Tokyo.

About the Whisky:

This is a single malt from the Yoichi distillery, Nikka’s first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky making. Yoichi single malt has pleasant peaty notes and smokiness originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation as well as a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process.

• DISTILLERY: Yoichi
• DISTILLATION METHOD: Direct coal-fired distillation
• MASH BILL: 100% malted barley
• AGEING: Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Oloroso Sherry casks
• TASTING NOTES: Pleasant sweet and smoky notes as well as a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process

Awards/Reviews:

Gold – Intl Spirits Challenge 2023

92 Points – Whisky Advocate

“Yoichi age statements are gone for now, but if the whisky stays this good, I can live with that. Black earthy peat, smoldering fires, a turned-out pocket of briny seashells, whole lime, lemon twist, sugared orange, ground ginger, and licorice. Silky smooth, with light, fruity sweetness developing into tangy Spangles, kiwi, and lime juice. The smoky peat is the weft woven through the fruit structure’s warp. The finish is insanely long: menthol, peat, and leather.”