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