Nikka From The Barrel Review- Fruity and a Hint of Spices

Japanese whisky is hot. The land of the rising sun is no longer known solely for its fight films, delicious sushi, and the vast array of dishes it offers. The blended whisky from Japan is truly one to consider. One of the most approachable blends is Nikka, as you'll read in this Nikka From the Barrel Review.

Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky Distilling, was born into a family of brewers. It's not all that surprising, then, that after leading the Yamazaki Distillery in 1934, he founded his own company, Dai Nippon Kaju Co. Ltd., where he began brewing beverages.

Later, his company name shifted to the one we know today: Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. He thereby launched one of the largest brands in the whisky world . And the best part: he achieved this together with his Scottish wife Rita.

At the Nikka distillery, the duo distilled the first Nikka ever (the first was released in 1940), a brand that graces the labels of many bottles today. Nikka From the Barrel is one of them, a drink that marries the Scottish with the Japanese, just like Taketsuru and his wife once did.

The story behind Nikka From the Barrel is quite remarkable since it serves as an unintended homage to the creator of the drink and his wife. The drink itself is just as extraordinary. You might liken Nikka From the Barrel to a show cook who seemingly tosses a variety of ingredients onto a hot plate.

Nikka From the Barrel is, indeed, a whisky that reportedly consists of a blend of over 100 batches of malt and grain whisky. But like the show cook who whips up a delectable meal from these seemingly random items, Nikka crafts a complex formula that harmonizes the whiskies beautifully. The whiskies in use stem from the Yoichi, Miyagikyo distilleries in Japan, and the Ben Nevis distillery in Scotland. These have been aged in various barrels, including ex-bourbon and sherry barrels. It yields a unique blend of whiskies that binds Scotland and Japan inseparably.

Nikka From The Barrel delivers aromas of fruit with notes of oak. It's a smooth concoction that prepares your senses for what your taste buds are about to encounter. On the palate, Nikka From the Barrel is a deliciously rich and warming drink. Various spices interchange with flavors of vanilla, fruit, and caramel. Nikka From the Barrel then transits into a relatively lengthy finish that's every bit as spicy and warming as the first contact with your tongue.

The sweet and rich taste of Nikka From the Barrel makes the drink accessible to everyone, and for a blend that costs only 40 euros, the flavor is incredibly rich. Nikka has bottled the drink at 51.4 percent ABV, but it doesn't overly manifest itself. There's no overwhelming alcohol scent or taste, but rather a sweet amalgam of spices with fruit and vanilla. A smoky hint, undoubtedly derived from the sherry barrels used, can't be missed.

With every bottle of Nikka From the Barrel, you're essentially buying a block from a barrel. That description might seem abstract, but it couldn't be more accurate. The shape of the 50-centiliter bottle is literally based on the form of a block of whisky. While the black packaging of the bottle may seem somewhat ordinary to the eye, this fun fact adds a touch of intrigue.

Nikka has created an incredibly accessible whisky that's also timeless. The drink offers a rich flavor that boasts a perfect balance and, despite the 51.4% alcohol, goes down dangerously easily. This Japanese-Scottish marriage is one that every whisky lover will want to revisit time and again. And the newbie to whisky? They simply must try this drink, but a word of caution because before you know it, you might find yourself persistently reaching out for it.

+ Extremely accessible

+ Very affordable whisky

+ Deliciously long finish

- Only 50 centiliters in a bottle

Would you like us to review your bottle? Feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected].