Nikka 2003 Single Cask Coffey Malt cask #245347

This Nikka was bottled especially for the French La Maison du Whisky and contains a single cask (a re-charred hogshead) from Warehouse No. 4. The contents is a coffey malt distilled on 6 March 2003, bottled at cask strength on 11 July 2014. Coffey means that it was distilled in a continuous still rather than a regular copper pot still.

The first whiff reminds me a bit of bourbon, but then I do get some wonderful fruit. Exotic even. Some pineapple and mango, but also a hint of passion fruit. Add some smoldering wood. Hint of nougat as well. Tobacco. Milk chocolate with praline filling and some vanilla.

Despite the high alcohol content, this is quite soft. Next to mango and nougat I also get quite some spices on the palate. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg. But it is still quite quaffable without adding water.

The finish remains spicy and sweet, but is not as long as I had expected. Mind you, it is still quite long, but I just expected it to be longer. Espresso at the death, which I found a bit surprising.

It can hardly be found (and has increased in price by half).

Find where to buy Nikka whisky