Nikka Yoichi is a bold and smooth Japanese single malt with a rich, smoky peat presence. It opens with citrus and spice, followed by a powerful palate of smoke, fresh fruit, and chocolate. The long, silky finish brings coastal saltiness, herbs, and warm, earthy notes. Perfect for those who love complex, smoky whiskies with depth.

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Nose: Full-bodied, smooth. A mellow peat softly coats the aromatic palette at first, growing more powerful with time, as smoke, soot and salty notes transcend the initial nose. The aromas then evolve towards candied citrus fruit (lemon, orange), black liquorice and spices (nutmeg, ginger), and opens up with roots and dried twig aromas. Heady and floral (carnation, iris), it grows increasingly complex.

Palate: Firm, powerful. A well-balanced attack gives equal footing to aromas of peat, smoke, spices, fresh fruit (melon, kiwi) and nuts (almond, walnut), which it delivers in spades. The mid-palate starts off with chocolate notes, but the peat soon takes the lead once again.

Finish: Long, silky. Extremely mature, it overflows with ripe fruit (pear, Mirabelle plum, apple). The peat starts taking on an herbaceous and malty character, while the salty flavours gives the finish plenty of depth and coastal freshness. The final nose offers menthol, spicy (coriander, dill) and earthy (leather, chestnuts) notes.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 45% ABV
Closure: Natural cork or synthetic stopper, depending on bottling
Age: Non-Vintage (NV); no age statement
Cask: Matured in a combination of American oak, sherry and other selected casks; exact cask composition not disclosed
Varietals: 100% malted barley
Farming: Traditionally sourced malted barley; specific agricultural certification not confirmed
Distillery Area: Yoichi Distillery, Hokkaido, Japan
Production: Malted barley is mashed and fermented before distillation in traditional direct-fired pot stills, a method that contributes to the whisky's distinctive smoky, robust character. The spirit is matured in selected oak casks to develop complexity and balance
Distiller: Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.
Region: Yoichi, Hokkaido, Japan

Serving Temperature: 18–20°C; enjoy neat, with a few drops of water, or over ice
Food Pairing: Grilled beef, smoked salmon, grilled mackerel, roasted pork, aged cheddar, and dark chocolate