Nikka 12 Year Blended Whisky Review
In-Depth Review
Hailing from Japanese other major whisky house, Nikka, this is a rare Japanese only release that was recently discontinued in favor of a non-age stated version. This version carried an age state of 12 years, which made it one of the remaining age stated holdouts from Suntory or Nikka. As demand has exploded for Japanese whisky, age statements have quickly disappeared as producers try to keep up with demand. Bottles like this were once plentiful in Japan but have all but disappeared in recent years.
The Nikka 12 is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries in Japan. Released in 2014, this commemorated Nikka’s 80th anniversary. The bottle itself is also magnificent. It features a large wood stopper and beautiful glass work that pays homage to the Japan’s famous kimonos. The gold lettering completes the look that reminds you that what you are drinking is something special. I picked this up on one of my trips to Japan in 2017.
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Cask: Various
MSRP: Around $40 in Japan in 2017
Distillery Name: Nikka
Review Date: 12/5/20
Color: Caramel Gold
Nose: Much richer and fuller than the Toki I recently reviewed. This is on a different level. Crisp apples and fresh cut flowers. Sweetness is strong with caramel and butterscotch bubbling to the top. Almost like a sticky pudding. Light acidity.
Palate: Immediately this hits the palate with burnt sugar and silky butterscotch. Then come the fruit notes. Big ripe fruits of cantaloupe, apples, raspberries and melons. This is a rich and elegant whisky, incredibly well-rounded with just enough proof to give a bit of bite. There are hints of smoke and bitters that provide even more depth and intrigue to this pour. The mouthfeel is thick and fantastic with good weight and lovely texture.
Finish: Medium length finish with more fruit coming through. There is a little flash of spice to keep things fresh. After the whisky lingers in the mouth its hard not to reach for another pour.
Final Thoughts: This is why the Japanese are the masters of blending whisky. This is a beautiful, and elegant pour that is quintessentially Japanese. It’s a rich and complex journey from beginning to end, making me very sad I only half a bottle left. This is a dangerous pour because after having some of this, it’s hard to drink anything else.
