Nikka Yoichi Single Malt

Yoichi Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Yoichi Distillery, Nikka's first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose the town of Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky-making. Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong with refined peaty notes and smokiness brought by the traditional direct coal-fired distillation. Sea breeze from the Ishikari Bay delivers a briny hint to the whisky during maturation.

Nose: Full-bodied and smooth. Nice plum, milk chocolate, cherry and dark honey.

Palate: Firm, powerful. A well-balanced attack gives equal footing to aromas of peat, smoke, spices, fresh fruit (melon, kiwi) and nuts (almond, walnut), which it delivers in spades. The mid-palate starts off with chocolate notes, but the peat soon takes the lead once again.

Finish: Medium length and extremely mature, it overflows with ripe fruit. Dry toasted walnut, malt, cherry and plum.