Facts

Blanton’s Silver Edition

Nose

A lot of vanilla and cinnamon to begin with. A distinct appley touch which reminds of apple blossoms at first, but then moves into green apples and finally dried apple rings. Chocolate ice cream with very finely chopped nuts. Freshly chopped wood. Also a bit spicy, probably from the rye.

Taste

Sweet and thick but also pretty strong for 49% ABV. A lot of chocolate cream. Vanilla fudge and dark honey. Salted nuts and dried fruits. Also a strong touch of grassy rye, which is probably my least favorite note in a bourbon.

Finish

Long. Warming and rich. More chocolate cream and spicy rye.

Overall

For me, one of the better Blanton’s I had so far but the grassy rye on the palate is a bit of a deal breaker for me to be honest. My personal bias aside, I would recommend everyone who has the chance to try out this bourbon as I think it has definitely it’s own style compared to the current expressions from Blanton’s.

Score:  88 / 100

In case you want to find out more about Colonel Albert Blanton,the namesake of this bourbon, and what the legendary Warehouse H is all about, then make sure to check out my the Blanton’s Special Reserve.

Facts

Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel

Nose

Full, rich and powerful. A lot of vanilla fudge. Apple pie, cinnamon, citrus fruits and orange drops. As well as some pencil sharpenings. Rounded off by black honey.

Taste

Creamy and oily. A lot of honey and citrus fruits. Accompanied by buttered salted popcorn and oak. Gets really spicy then (from the rye?).

Finish

Long and strong. Drying. Charred oak and citrus fruits.

Overall

A rich palate followed by a superb finish. The high strength is noticeable but not overpowered.

Score: 92/100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Miyagikyo was founded in 1969 on the island of Honshu (the biggest of the four Japanese main islands), built in a valley landscape. The whole production process in the distillery (also called ‘The Innovator’) is managed by computers. The eight pot stills and two coffey stills (added in 1998) are heated by steam. The house style is subscribed as “round and generous, yet gentle and delicate”.

The Miyagikyo 12 Years Old is aged in sherry casks, for “increased body and complexity”. It is characterized by “a fruity noise with a hint of vanilla and a sweet, well-balanced palate.”

Facts

Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Nose

Rather light. A bit floral. Roasted coffee, pecan nuts and spices.

Taste

Rich. Salted popcorn with caramel sauce. Sweet caramel. Berries covered with chocolate. A pleasant saltiness to round things up.

Finish

Long. Warming and drying. Hints of fruits.

Overall

The palate is really, really good but the rest lacks behind a bit. Overall not the sherry bomb I would have expected but pleasant nonetheless.

Score: 85 / 100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Miyagikyo was founded in 1969 on the island of Honshu (the biggest of the four Japanese main islands), built in a valley landscape. The whole production process in the distillery (also called ‘The Innovator’) is managed by computers. The eight pot stills and two coffey stills (added in 1998) are heated by steam. The house style is subscribed as “round and generous, yet gentle and delicate”.

The Miyagikyo 10 Years Old is characterized by “a lively, floral nose harmonizing the light scent of malt and a creamy, silky palate”, thus making it “not unlike single malts of Speyside”.

Facts

Miyagikyo 10 Years Old

Nose

Ah yes, the influence of bourbon barrels isn’t deniable. A lot of oranges, accompanied by lemons, vanilla and caramel. Malted barely. Hints of light smoke and soap in the back. Maybe also some sherry but I am not complete sure.

Taste

Smooth and soft with a light tingling on the tongue. Lots of vanilla. Milk chocolate, cinnamon and coconut. Cooked vegetables. Balanced by a light touch of peppery oak and peat.

Finish

Medium. Bitter and spicy. Nuts.

Overall

Yeah… not exactly a disappointment I would say, but I am also not “wowed” to be honest. Not bad, but doesn’t really stand out either. Especially the finish is a bit weak in my opinion.

Score: 83 / 100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Miyagikyo was founded in 1969 on the island of Honshu (the biggest of the four Japanese main islands), built in a valley landscape. The whole production process in the distillery (also called ‘The Innovator’) is managed by computers. The eight pot stills and two coffey stills (added in 1998) are heated by steam. The house style is subscribed as “round and generous, yet gentle and delicate”.

The Miyagikyo NAS is characterized as “soft, fruity and spicy”, making it “perfect as an apperitif”.

Facts

Miyagikyo NAS

Nose

Rich and deep. A bit floral at first. Then cooked citrus fruits on vanilla pudding with cinnamon. Blond tobacco and floral honey. Followed by anise and a whiff of cacao powder.

Taste

Vigorous and oily. Nuts strewn with cacao powder. Pepper. Followed by ripe plums, pears and apricots.

Finish

Long and slightly sour. Hey, grass and flowers. Hints of nuts.

Overall

Wow! This is probably one of the best NAS expressions I came across more recently. Really pleasant and varied.

Score: 86 / 100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Yoichi was founded in 1934 on the island of Hokkaido (the northernmost of the four Japanese main islands). The distillery (also called ‘The Icon’) is located less than a mile from sea and gets its water from an underground source that runs through peat. Thus it is not surprising that the house style is subscribed as “peaty and salty”. Interestingly enough, Yoichi’s small pot stills are still fired by coal, a traditional method that is no longer used by Scottish distilleries.

The Yoichi 15 Years Old “is drawn from several malt whisky casks, illustrating the diversity and richness of the whiskies made by the Yoichi distillery”. It is characterized “by a peaty, mature nose and a smooth, complex palate”.

Facts

Yoichi 15 Years Old

Nose

Fresh and soft. Pears and peaches mixed with cinnamon roasted almonds. Balanced by a thick layer of peat in the background. Then varnish comes to light.

Taste

Smooth and oily. An interesting mix of sweetish and salty elements, poured together in a big cup of fresh pressed lemon juice. Followed by pepper and menthol drops. Afterwards, chili bitter chocolate, espresso and fresh flowers emerge.

Finish

Long and drying with a light citrus bitterness. Pepper, bitter chocolate and anise.  

Overall

Very smooth and elegant. The nose is not that peaty but I really liked the complex palate.

Score: 88 / 100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Yoichi was founded in 1934 on the island of Hokkaido (the northernmost of the four Japanese main islands). The distillery (also called ‘The Icon’) is located less than a mile from sea and gets its water from an underground source that runs through peat. Thus it is not surprising that the house style is subscribed as “peaty and salty”. Interestingly enough, Yoichi’s small pot stills are still fired by coal, a traditional method that is no longer used by Scottish distilleries.

The Yoichi 10 Years Old was “made from a vatting of whisky aged in bourbon barrels, new oak barrels and sherry barrels, all reworked at the distillery”. It is characterized “by a fruity, sweet nose and a smooth, velvety palate”.

Facts

Yoichi 10 Years Old

Nose

Apples and stone fruits (peaches, apricots and plums) but overall not as fruity as expected. Fresh mint leaves, cinnamon and mixed nuts with a whiff of caramel. A good portion of peat and cold campfire smoke in the back, although without the coastal touch I found in the NAS version.

Taste

Rather strong and floral. Vanilla, cinnamon, sugared grapefruits and limes. Followed by more than a handful of black peppercorns. Also a slightly oaky. Again some peat and ash in the back.

Finish

Long. Warming, bitter and slightly dry. Dried flowers. A whiff of fruits and peat.

Overall

To be honest, I am not the biggest fan of floral single malts, but I kinda liked this expression. It has a pleasant fruitiness to it, although I am missing the coastal touch of the NAS version.

Score: 85 / 100

So today, I want to say goodbye to the old Nikka singe malt range by reviewing a total of six expression:

1. Yoichi NAS
2. Yoichi 10 Years Old
3. Yoichi 15 Years Old
4. Miyagikyo NAS
5. Miyagikyo 10 Years Old
6. Miyagikyo 12 Years Old

Yoichi was founded in 1934 on the island of Hokkaido (the northernmost of the four Japanese main islands). The distillery (also called ‘The Icon’) is located less than a mile from sea and gets its water from an underground source that runs through peat. Thus it is not surprising that the house style is subscribed as “peaty and salty”. Interestingly enough, Yoichi’s small pot stills are still fired by coal, a traditional method that is no longer used by Scottish distilleries.

The Yoichi NAS is meant to offer “drinkers a light-hearted introduction to the superior quality of Yoichi malt whisky” with its “impressive balance and full personality”.

Facts

Yoichi NAS

Nose

Relatively fruity with a lot of peach, accompanied by green apples and green pears. Nut mix with red berries. Hints of salt, peat and dusty oak.

Taste

Lots of sugared lemon followed by plums, peaches and cherries. Furthermore walnuts and almonds. Also slightly peppery. A whiff of coffee. Mildly-peated seaweed in the background.

Finish

Pretty long and dry with a slightly bitter touch. Hints of old oak and salt.

Overall

Not bad, not bad at all! In all seriousness, this is indeed a balanced and more complex than expected entry level expression and thus a fine starting point into the Yoichi range. Reminds me with its salty and peaty touch of some coastal Scottish single malt.

Score: 83 / 100

Fortunately, there are quiet some independent bottlings available like the one I am going to review today: ‘Honeysuckle Bower‘, bottled by Wemyss Malts.

Facts

Linkwood 1995 ‘Honeysuckle Bower’ (Wemyss Malts)

Nose

Light, sweetish and indeed there are some flower petals to be found, but I would not go so far to say that I am able to detect the smell of roses here. Also a very distinctive fizziness of orange effervescent powder. Honeydew melon and hints brown sugared mint leaves.

Taste

A lot more fruity with thick apple juice and bitter oranges. Followed by vanilla and hints of pepper and licorice.

Finish

Long and sweet. Sandalwood mixed with some flowers and pepper.

Overall

Accessible and mostly likable, especially when you are more into floral single malts.

Score: 82 / 100

In case you want to find out more about Colonel Albert Blanton,the namesake of this bourbon, and what the legendary Warehouse H is all about, then make sure to check out my the Blanton’s Special Reserve.

Facts

Blanton’s Gold Edition

Nose

Dry and vibrant, although the alcohol is hardly noticeable at all. A lot of dried fruits (especially red apples) along with nutmeg and cinnamon. Delicate hints of orange blossom and dry lemon cake. A wooden touch in the background.

Taste

Starts sweet and fruity with red fruits, apricots and honeyed raisins. But also a good portion of white pepper. Then very buttery. A chocolate cupcake with a fudge core. Again hints of oak in the back.

Finish

Long and a bit peppery. Leather, mint and macadamia nuts. Also some bitterness from the oak.

Overall

Indeed very smooth, but also pleasant complex and rich. The high strength blends in perfectly.

Score: 89 / 100