Nikka From The Barrel Review – The Best Bang For Ya Buck (Not) Japanese Whisky!

G’day everyone,
Click here to watch my latest YouTube video. I’m reviewing, actually re reviewing, that absolute classic from Nikka, Nikka From The Barrel. NFTB is one of the first whiskies I bought in Japan in 2009 and have bought and drunk many more bottles since. I talk a little about the history, the fact that it is not classed as Japanese Whisky by The Japanese Whisky and Liqueurs Makers Association, some tasting notes and why it is still great bang for ya buck.
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Kampai
Brian

Nikka The 60th Anniversary Est. 1934 Blend 45%abv

P1050330Nose: Banana mouse, brandy, blueberries, toffee, steamed corn cob, apricots, maple syrup, hint of orange, bay leaves.
Palate: Paprika, oregano, chili powder, chocolate coated coffee beans, mashed banana’s, blueberries, toffee, old leather, dried tobacco leaves.
Finish: Oregano, pepper, dried tobacco leaves, fried banana, pineapple, bay leaves.
Last Word: The mainly sweet nose belies the herbaceous palate and finish that follows. A very smooth and approachable blended whisky, there should still be enough flavor and complexity to satisfy many. A little bit of Yoichi peated whisky in the mix to add a smoky element would not have gone astray.

Rating: 86/100

Update: With a little over a third of the bottle gone there is now some obvious Yoichi smokiness coming through. Add a point.

The Nikka Premium Blended Whisky 12YO 43%abv

P1050275Nose: Tequilaesque pepper, butterscotch, ginger snaps, orange peel, marshmallows, oak, furniture polish.
Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, pepper, nutmeg, ginger snaps, salt oak, cocoa, nougat. A few drops of water brings out malt, juicy apples and pears and reduces the spices a little.
Finish: Oak, nutmeg, cocoa powder, ginger snaps, spearmint. With water green apple and malt.
Last Word: I prefer this with a few drops of water which engenders this whisky with a fresher, more lively character. Being fond of the older Blend of Nikka both the NAS 45% and the 17YO, I was hoping for some Yoichi smoke. None so far but it may develop as the level of liquid in the bottle diminishes. Classy bottle/presentation for a whisky that costs about $45-50 in Japan.

Rating: 83/100

Nikka Super Session Triad Blended Whisky 100 Proof

nikka-triad-super-session-50Nose: A little toffee, raisins, tobacco, peanuts, wood stain, cinnamon, cloves and moulding oranges.
Palate: Toffee, raisins, orange, yoghurt, marzipan, ginger, peanut butter.
Finish: Short on yoghurt, marzipan, peanut butter and sweetened lemon.
Last Word: I expected far more complexity as I really enjoy the Rye Base 43%.

Rating: 74/100
*Note- This is a blend of malt, coffey grain and rye whiskies.

Nikka Corn Base 100 Proof

nikka-corn-base-50Nose: First whiff is fairly acetone. Creamed corn, fermented pears, golden syrup on waffles. Water brings out some vanilla and pineapple.
Palate: Stewed apples, salt and pepper, fermented pears, creamed corn. Some vanilla and orange with water.
Finish: Pretty much follows the palate.
Last Word: As you can tell, pretty simple and uninspiring stuff. I’d did prefer the 43% version, though not by much.

Rating: 72/100

The Blend of Nikka 45%abv

the-blend-of-nikka-45Nose: Very fruity. Red apples, blueberries, overripe peached, sultanas, papaya. Fabric softener, lemon meringue, Japanese bars.
Palate: Again the fruitiness. Some vanilla, wax, salt and pepper, bubblegum, maltesers, leather and gentle smokiness.
Finish: Oak, light pepper, maltesers, papaya, leather. Linger on a pillow of light smoke then some very late red grape.
Last Word: Lovely daily dram. The 17YO is even better of you can still find it.

Rating: 86/100

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel 51.4%abv circa 2012

nikka-wftb-circa-2012Nose: Typical of many Nikka blends with not a lot of grain influence. Mixed peel, mandarins, malt, oak, apricots, grapefruit, woodstain.
Palate: Maple syrup, mandarins, bubblegum, malt, honey, nuts, sweet spices, oak. Slightly oily.
Finish: Tangy spices, mandarins, bubblegum, nuts and some drying wood.
Last Word: Not quite up to previous batches I’ve tried before including this 2009 version, which was spicier and felt like a bigger whisky overall.

Rating: 86/100

*Update 11/1/2012. Enjoying the last(large dram) of this bottle and the big spices seem to be concentrating at last. That’s more like it.

Nikka Super 43%abv

japanese-whisky-072

Nose: A bit spirity. Kind of reminds me of those middle of the road Scotch blends my parents used to drink: stewed apples, bran, straw, glue. Not bad, but not special either.
Palate: Fairly smooth and clean; very malty. Peanut shells, chocolate, bran, oranges and glue.
Finish: Medium length with malt, spice and uncooked rice.
Last Word: This is a pretty straight forward blend that would go well with ice on a warm day or with your favorite mixer.
Rating: 74/100

Nikka From the Barrel. 51.4%abv circa 2009

nikka-whisky-from-the-barrel-51-4

Nose: Lots of chunky malt, mixed peel, dried apricots. A bowl of mixed nuts, wood stain and some subtle florals.
Palate: Just excellent! Tons of big beautifully integrated spices, creamy nuttiness, nougat and malty goodness. No need for water with this one as it’s perfectly drinkable neat.
Finish: Long, warming, malty, nutty, spicy and mouth coating.
Last Word:  I find it very hard to stop at just one glass of this stuff.

Rating: 91/100

Nikka Ageing Triple Blended Malt. 40%abv

nikka-ageing-triple-40

Nose: Quite simple on pears, green apple, lemon, malt, freshly cut timber, yeast. A little waxy. Reminds me of Glen Moray NAS.
Palate: Slightly bitter. Flat sprite, pears, freshly cut timber, malt, pepper, grapefruit.
Finish: Short on timber, pepper, grapefruit, malt.
Last Word: The label says it is blended with “new type” malt whisky. If that means it young, it certainly tastes it.
Rating: 69/100

Nikka Whisky Grand Age blend. 45%abv

nikka-grand-age-45

Nose: Very oaky(grand age). Varnish, toffee, bran and hay. Not particularly inviting.
Palate: Improves on the nose. The oak tones down and there’s lots of sweet spice. Quite nutty. Clingy mouth feel. Some ginger ale.
Finish: Toffee and ginger ale. The oak makes a big return but a little too big unfortunately. The spicy sweetness remains.
Rating: 72/100

Nikka 70th Annivesary Selection Blended Whisky 12YO 58% ABV

nikka-70th-anniversary-selection-blend-12-58

Nose: Malt, lemon, salt, anise, earthy. Floor polish, grapefruit, hazelnut, coffee grinds.
Palate: Needs water. Ton’s of lemon sherbert zing. Also, quite hot, with pepper and chilli powder. Malt, peanut shells, hazelnut, bittersweet. Ferrero Rocher, Hubba Bubba, creaming soda.

Finish: Long, with a little smoke, anise, oak, hazelnut, peanut shells, grapefruit and mint.
Rating: 87/100

Nikka Rye Base (malt and rye blend). 43% abv

nikka-rye-base-43-malt-and-rye-blend

Nose: Delightful. Vanilla, rye, rye bread spices (fennel, aniseed, cardamom), ginger bread, malt, caramel, lacquered teak.
Palate: As tasty as the nose is delightful. Again, vanilla, caramels, toasty rye, lacquered teak. Peanut butter, balanced sweet-and-savory spices and plenty of ginger bread.

Finish: Short/medium. Toasty rye, malt, sweet/savory spice combo, a little oak then mint ice cream.

Final Word: Enjoyed by all who tasted this one with me for the first time at Shot Bar Zoetrope Tokyo last year. Glad I now have a bottle.
Rating: 87/100